Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has continued its strong financial performance during the last financial year, as highlighted in the 2017-2018 annual reporting suite of documents.
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Council’s financial performance is measured by the NSW Government against a range of measures, including the key Operating Performance Ratio which indicates whether revenue received by council is covering expenses.
“It is pleasing to report that council exceeded the operating performance benchmark for the fourth consecutive year in 2017-2018, continuing the strong financial position of previous years,” said general manager, Craig Swift-McNair.
“In 2017 council was also announced as the winner of the prestigious A R Bluett Memorial Award for being the most progressive council in NSW, which is recognition that we are achieving excellent results in delivering progress and value to the community.
“The award is testament to council’s dedication to doing better each and every year, and is the culmination of much hard work by councillors and council staff,” Mr Swift-McNair said.
In 2017-2018 council delivered $57 million in capital works programs in the community, which takes the value of works delivered over the past five years to just under $300 million.
2017-2018 also saw increased levels of development activity, with 1,070 development applications received, at a value of over $426.5 million.
This is an increase on the value from the previous year, which was around $300 million.
This level of activity highlights the significant growth and high level of investment that is occurring right across the region, and strength in the building sector.
In an effort to maintain a focus on strong financial practices, during 2017 council engaged the University of Technology Sydney to undertake a review of its financial sustainability.
“This review highlighted that our overall financial position is strong, and particularly impressive given our current operating environment,” Mr Swift-McNair said.
“Council has an ongoing commitment to innovation, strategic planning, continuous improvement and engagement with the community, to understand and deliver on local aspirations and expectations.
“We will continue to focus on being a leader in local government, and a large part of that means continuing to engage with and listen to our community, to ensure our region is a place where people want to live, learn, work, play and invest,” added Mr Swift-McNair.