Getting Ahead on Council’s Finances
Published on 13 February 2026
At the 18 February 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting, a report is being put to Council proposing the development of a detailed financial sustainability strategy that investigates all the options for improving our financial position and our long-term sustainability – this will be broad ranging and not just limited to an SRV.
Council has been implementing efficiencies and cost savings since an SRV was taken off the table three years ago. Despite this, we continue to face a challenging financial position.
General Manager Mr David Sherley noted the majority of contributing factors to our financial position are outside of Council’s control and relate to the tiered structure of local government funding.
“With ongoing issues like cost shifting, costs rising higher than incomes, population growth, expectations around service delivery and standards, and decreasing federal government funding among them, it is an increasingly difficult time for all local governments across Australia.
“Bathurst Regional Council continues to work with the Office of Local Government, Councillors and staff as we work to rebuild our finances. However, we now need to consider making impactful and more significant financial decisions to ensure our longer-term financial sustainability – importantly, looking beyond 2026,” said Mr Sherley.
Mr Sherley emphasised that next week’s Council report is not a mandate to proceed with community consultation on an SRV.
“Council is seeking to make decisions to investigate options that reflect the seriousness of our situation, ones that may be more consequential than actions being currently undertaken to address our financial positioning.
“I would like to reiterate, no decision has been made, nor any research undertaken, on what size SRV Council may need, if that becomes one of the pursued options resulting from the findings of our Sustainability Strategy. Any decision to consult with the community on an SRV will need a further resolution of Council; and the process will be undertaken in line with the guidelines we are to follow, set in place by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
“Council’s long-term financial sustainability is vital for our Bathurst community and the services and facilities that we deliver, and that the community expect and enjoy,” noted Mr Sherley.
Council will continue to keep the community informed of progress on our Sustainability Strategy.
Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer