Council's draft 2018-2019 operational plan and other documents on exhibition

The community is invited to have a say on the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s proposed actions, activities, projects, budget and performance measures for the 2018-2019 financial year.

Key proposed projects include the Hastings regional sports fields stage one development, planning to provide centralised sewerage systems in Comboyne, Long Flat and Telegraph Point, start of upgrades to the Port Macquarie Airport terminal and a water trunk main from the Pacific Highway to Bonny Hills.

The council will invest more than $2 million in road resealing and more than $1 million in playground and reserve improvements.

Mayor Peta Pinson said this was an exciting time for her as it was her first operational plan as mayor.

She highlighted the Bago Road rehabilitation, sewerage schemes at Comboyne, Long Flat and Telegraph Point and the Port Macquarie pool detailed design.

Cr Pinson encouraged people to have their say by April 22.

“I will be very disappointed if there aren’t significant submissions off the back of this [plan],” she said.

Cr Rob Turner highlighted the capital works program of around $87 million with works spread across the local government area.

“It’s good to see there’s a lot of stormwater projects happening,” he said.

Cr Justin Levido said the $215 million budgeted expenditure figure was an important part of the report.

The Local Government Minister’s allowable 2018-2019 rate increase of 2.3 per cent has been applied in full. 

Council’s general manager Craig Swift-McNair said the council would continue to focus on delivering improved outcomes for our community in the most efficient and effective way possible, while balancing community priorities with the resources and funding available.

Community pop-up sessions sessions will take place on March 26 at High Street, Wauchope; March 27 outside Coles at Laurieton; April 10 outside Woolworths at Lake Cathie; April 12 at the Glasshouse forecourt, Port Macquarie; and April 17 at Settlement City.

All sessions run from 11am to 1pm.

The 2018-2019 draft Operational Plan can be viewed at haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/future-planning and at council offices and libraries in Port Macquarie, Laurieton and Wauchope.