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Published on 01 September 2026
Council has recently been briefed on the draft findings of the Financial Sustainability report it commissioned from Ernst Young Parthenon (EY). Council appointed EY in May this year to undertake the body of work to identify what sustainability looks like for Council and the options that could be pursued to achieve this goal.
Mayor Cr Robert Taylor said the briefing from EY included a range of options for Council to consider as a pathway to financial sustainability.
“These options range from Council pursuing further efficiency gains, asset rationalisation, reviewing service delivery and applying for a Special Rate Variation, the size of which would vary depending on what other option or options council also progresses.
“Council will now take time to consider the findings of the draft report and look at how best to continue to move our financial sustainability project forward, with a final report to be presented to Council later this year. The final report will be made available to the community as we consult on the way forward.
“It is not an easy path forward. There will be many decisions to consider and our aim is to ensure a fit for purpose council, delivering the services and facilities our community wants balancing this against long term financial sustainability.
“It is too early in the process to debate the merits of the size and duration of any SRV. Council needs to identify what its preferred options are from the report and talk to the community about these.
“Council will undertake extensive community consultation in the new year as we develop our budget for the 2027-2028 year and seek feedback from the community on all financial sustainability options available.
“At this stage I want to re-iterate, no decision has been made on adopting any SRV. It is one of the options presented to Council for consideration. It sits alongside a range of options and Council, and the community will continue to discuss what Council's financial sustainability looks like following the presentation of the final EY report to Council and the community,” Cr Taylor said.
Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer
P: 02 6333 6179 M: 0448 685 340 E: genevieve.green@bathurst.nsw.gov.au