November Extraordinary Council Meeting Report

Council held an Extraordinary Meeting at 8am on Thursday 27 November 2025 to consider the adoption of the 2024-2025 Annual Report and Financial Statements. 

Council had previously advised that the Annual Report would be considered at the Wednesday 19 November Ordinary Council Meeting, without the financial statements, as they had not been received at the time of preparing the meeting agenda. 

Council received the Audited Financial Statements on Monday 17 November, which was too late to then include them in the Ordinary Council meeting as they must be exhibited for seven days prior to the meeting they are tabled at. 

Under the Local Government Act, Council’s Annual Report must be adopted within five months of the end of the financial year. As a result, Council called the Extraordinary Meeting to ensure this timeline was met, along with allowing for the exhibition of the financial statements in accordance with the Act, meaning Council could consider both items at the meeting. 

6.1.1 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025 

Council has received an unqualified audit opinion for the 2024-2025 financial year. This is the second year in a row that Council has received an unqualified audit.  

Key performance metrics in the audit are also improving on last year’s audit, showing well regarded progress. 

The report highlights that Council’s net cash flows for the year were positive $0.2 million. 

In 2024-25 the net cashflows:  

• from operating activities increased by $7.9 million, mainly due to increase in rates and annual charges receipts and decrease in payments for materials and services  

• used in investing activities increased by $14.9 million, mainly due to higher levels of investment purchases and reduced payments for IPPE  

• used in financing activities remained consistent. 

For detailed reporting on Council’s financial statements, see full report here: ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2025 

6.1.2 INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING – 2024-2025 ANNUAL REPORT 

Council has endorsed the 2024-2025 Annual Report, inclusive of the audited financial statements. Alongside this, it has been forwarded to the Office of Local Government and listed for viewing on Council’s website. 

Council’s financial audit was undertaken by the Audit Office of NSW. This is the second year the Audit Office has performed this role for Council.   

In working with the Audit Office for the audit of Council’s 2024-2025 financial statements, Council provided all the information required according to the Audit Office timelines to meet the mandated deadlines. 

At the end of October, the Audit Office requested Council make a submission to the Office of Local Government to ask for an extension for the lodgement of Council’s financial statements. This request was made to Council after the deadline for the request for extension had passed. Council submitted the request, which was granted. Council’s statements were then lodged on 17 November 2025. 

The Audit Office decision was based on their assessment that extra time was needed to ‘complete further work on the going concern nature of Council’s Financial Statements’. 

Council is disappointed that despite all of the information being provided to the Audit Office, as required within the timeline specified, a late request for an extension was requested. In addition, at no point throughout the year had the Audit Office expressed any concerns regarding ‘going concern’. It was not considered a key issue in the Audit Engagement Plan agreed with Council or during the audit process itself.