Dubbo council budget 2021: Cuts, new projects + delays explained

Plans to pretty up run-down parts of Dubbo and reduce river pollution have been scrapped as COVID and low interest rates hit the city’s budget.

Despite the COVID pandemic-induced loss of millions in funding, Dubbo Regional Council expects to produce a budget surplus in the next financial year and limit cuts to key services and infrastructure programs.

The council’s proposed 2021/22 council budget has been released, with community members invited to have their say and shape the finished product.

Acting Dubbo mayor Stephen Lawrence wants the public to give feedback on the budget. Picture: Ryan Young

According to the budget papers, a surplus of $30,000 is currently predicted to be delivered in 2021/22, with rates to increase by the 2 per cent maximum state government-set limit and water and sewerage to rise by 2.5 per cent.

The surplus prediction comes despite audited reports showing the council recorded a budget deficit of $8.3 million in 2019/20, before grants and contributions were provided to it for capital purposes.

The council’s interim chief executive officer, Dean Frost, said “challenges” facing the council included a loss of $3 million in airport income due to COVID, a $1.5 decline in investment income because of record low interest rates and a “decrease in income due to lowered entry prices at the aquatic leisure centres”.

He said “significant increases in expenditure”, such as an $800,000 a year on insurance premiums and general expenses, had also put pressure on the budget.

Dubbo City Animal Shelter coordinator Kirra Larkin could have a bigger smile if the proposed budget gets the green light. Picture: Ryan Young

To manage the extra pressure on the budget, the council is proposing to ditch plans to overhaul the road on Talbragar Street and suspend the installation of giant traps which stop rubbish entering waterways for the next four years.

Long talked about plans to beautify neighbourhood shopping precincts on Talbragar and Victoria Streets have been shelved indefinitely, the tree planting budget has been pared back and the River Repair Bus will no longer receive council funding.

Council’s chief financial officer, Michael Howlett, was tight lipped when asked to confirm how much money would be saved by cancelling, cutting or delaying the various projects.

“Significant savings will be made by removing the gross pollutant trap installation plan and Talbragar Street reconstruction project from the 2021/22 budget,” he said.

“The forecast amount was an estimate, yet to be endorsed by council and is therefore commercial in confidence.”

Mr Howlett said grants could be applied for in the future to pay for more gross pollutant traps, the reconstruction of the Talbragar Street road and beautification of neighbourhood shopping precincts.

“Funding for the River Repair Bus concludes this year, as per the agreement that was initially put in place with the group to cease funding at the end of 2021/21,” he said.

“Dubbo Regional Council welcomes community groups, such as the River Repair Bus, to apply for funding through one of its many community funding streams.”

Millions will be spent upgrading roads in the Dubbo region. Picture: David Barwell

The bulk of the proposed budget includes stable or slightly increased funding for services and infrastructure, however most council fees and charges are slated to rise too.

Budget papers reveal $100,000 will be spent on early investigations into the construction of a new animal shelter because the current shelter is “nearing the end of its useful life in terms of maintenance and requirements,” according to Mr Howlett.

“No announcement has been made as it is in initial stages of a long term plan to investigate the prospects and concept planning of anew shelter … once the investigation concludes a new budget will be allocated for renewal,” he said.

Smart parking sensors in the ground, designed to let motorists know parking availability, could become the extra eyes and ears of parking wardens if linked to enforcement.

A pilot of automated parking patrol technology has also been proposed and could increase parking fine income in the future.

“In-ground parking sensors are used extensively by councils around Australia and appear to be preferred option.,” Mr Howlett said.

“The sensors provide feedback to the parking officers via an app indicating vehicles that have overstayed a timed car space. This allows for better use of the parking patrol resources and will eventually enable them to patrol larger areas of the local government area.

“A key benefit of the patrol technology means that in the future the sensors would be able to inform the community via an app where to locate available parking paces to reduce the need to drive around looking for them.”

Community members have until May 28 to have their say on the draft budget documents.