Rural roads, modernisation and more get priority in Richmond Valley Council budget

A $46 million capital works program has been greenlit by this Northern Rivers council, but not without this major ratepayer cost.

Page MP Kevin Hogan with Richmond Valley Council Mayor Robert Mustow and Federal Local Government Minister Mark Coulton at the Casino Drill Hall site, part of the draft budget’s infrastructure plan.

Rural roads, upgrades and infrastructure have all been ranked on the top of improvements in Richmond Valley Council’s draft budget but not without a cost.

RVC residents could see significant face change to their region, according to the 2021-22 draft budget unveiling which singles out several big projects including the Casino Memorial Swimming Pool modernisation and Casino Showground & Racecourse development.

However, the projects will come with a downside as rates would rise in line with the IPART-approved 5.5 per cent.

Annual water, sewer and domestic waste charges will also increase by 6.51 per cent, 4.88 per cent and 4.55 per cent respectively.

Richmond Valley Council General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said the $46.13 million capital works program would deliver a wide range of important projects for the community which continued to rebuild from bushfire and flood.

“These projects sit alongside our ongoing commitment to maintaining and renewing our road network and other essential infrastructure,” Mr Macdonald said.

Mr Macdonald said the draft budget balanced the need to maintain Council’s existing asset base and essential services with the development of new or substantially renewed facilities where needed, in line with Council’s 10-year Community Strategic Plan, Richmond Valley Made 2030.

“Council prides itself on meeting and exceeding fundamental service delivery to our community and we will continue to do so into 2022,” Mr Macdonald said.

“I am pleased to say that we are also projected to deliver a cash surplus of $300,000 in 2021-2022, which is forecast to increase in the following year to $373,000.”

Mr Macdonald said RVC was now commencing preparations for the elections this coming September, and following which, it would revise its Community Strategic Plan.

“The Community Strategic Plan is the road map for the future of the Richmond Valley and will identify our major priorities for the next decade,” Mr Macdonald said.

“We look forward to consulting widely with the community in relation to this document and developing a vision which will be built on the community’s ideas.”

Members of the Rappville Community Advisory Group, Richmond Valley Council Recovery Officers along with Chris Gulaptis, Kevin Hogan, RVC Mayor Robert Mustow and General Manager Vaughan Macdonald who are signalled for Hall and Community precincts developments.

BIG BUDGET WINNERS:

– Regional and rural roads and bridges: More than $10 million towards repairs

– Casino Memorial Swimming Pool: $6.085 million in modernisation

– Casino Showground & Racecourse development: $5.049 million

– Real estate development projects: $3.191 million

– Nammoona Waste and Recovery Centre : $3 million towards construction of a new cell (stage one) and $1.89 million towards capping of four cells (stage one)

– Sewerage infrastructure renewals: $3.767 million

– Water infrastructure renewals: $2.709 million

– Rappville Hall and Community Precinct: $1 million

– Casino Drill Hall Memorial Walk: $885,000

– Resource recovery infrastructure projects: $846,000

– Northern Rivers Rail Trail (phase 1): $459,000

– Razorback Lookout Evans Head: $400,000

– Stormwater asset renewals: $375,000

– Coronation Park infrastructure upgrade: $355,000

– Footpath repairs and construction of new sections: $220,000

The draft budget will be on exhibition until 4.30pm, June 15 here.

During the exhibition period, submissions from the community can be forwarded to the General Manager via email [e-mail], or post at Locked Bag 10, Casino NSW 2470.