Update on Council’s Financial Sustainability Status

Council continues to explore all options available as we continue on a pathway to organisational sustainability. 

Mayor Cr Robert Taylor said that despite reported speculation in the community, there are no plans to put before Council a recommendation for a special rate variation for the 2026-27 financial year. 

“Council has listened to the community and we are exploring all of our options to restore our financial position and that work continues to be undertaken by staff at the direction of Council. 

“We are looking at current and alternative revenue streams, cost savings, a review of our asset management plans and the asset backlog, delivering increased efficiencies and services provided. All viable options are under consideration, and at some point in the future a special rate variation may also be in that mix. It is important that the position of Council has not changed since 2023. An SRV application is currently not on the table, and it is certainly not on the table for the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) application round for an SRV to take effect in the 2026-27 financial year. 

“The process to apply for an SRV is time consuming and complex, and it is a decision that needs to be endorsed by the elected body. There are no plans to put a report of this nature before Council this year seeking a decision by Council to progress an SRV.  Any SRV application would need to be notified to the community months out from Council preparing the paperwork to lodge an application. Council has not endorsed this process, nor is a report forthcoming that would trigger this process. 

“What is happening is that Councillors have been tasked with defining what financial sustainability looks like for Bathurst Regional Council. That is, what we want as that end goal, to say our organisation is sustainable. This will give us targets for staff and Councillors to work towards in the long term and to look at all the available options for how we, as an organisation, meet this goal. 

“And that’s what’s happening internally now. 

“The financial sustainability conversation is one that will continue within Council, and with our staff and the community.  

“We will continue to report through Council meetings on our journey, and if and when an SRV becomes part of the mix it will be debated by the Council to determine its position. If we decide as an elected body to pursue an SRV, there will be broad consultation with 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