It's time to comment on Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's draft 2020/21 plans

The 2020/21 draft operational plan, which includes the proposed capital works program, is part of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's integrated suite of planning documents.

People have until April 17 to have a say on the council's proposed actions, activities, projects, budget and performance measures for the 2020/21 financial year.

The council plans to spend $36.1 million on roads and transport; $22.1 million on sewerage services; $23.2 million on the water supply; $22.9 million on waste management; and $11.2 million on sport and recreation.

Some of the key proposed projects are the Kew main street upgrade ($1.44 million), finalising designs and the start of construction of the Rainbow Beach sports fields ($500,000); upgrading Town Green west reserve ($2 million); continued rehabilitation of Bago Road ($2.7 million); and structural repairs to Kindee Bridge ($861,176).

Almost $3.3 million is proposed to be injected into road resurfacing and rehabilitation across the region and $90,000 is planned for new bus shelters.

The draft plan also includes $430,000 to finalise the design for the Port Macquarie aquatic facility and $450,000 towards investigation and concept design for the potential sealing of Bril Bril Road at Rollands Plains.

Cr Rob Turner said it was a very pleasing delivery program.

He said there had been many opportunities for councillors to have input.

"There has been considerable fine tuning to make sure this is an ambitious operational plan but an achievable operational plan," Cr Turner said.

Mayor Peta Pinson added over promising and under delivering was a difficult thing for anyone and certainly for our community.

The focus is on delivering what the council sets out to deliver.

Cr Peter Alley encouraged community members to get involved during the consultation phase.

"Sit down, it's like a good book, and weave your way through it," he said.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann spoke about the impact of cost shifting from other levels of government.

Acting general manager Jeffery Sharp said during this current financial year our region faced some of its greatest challenges, with bushfires, storms, floods and the ongoing impacts of the drought.

"Whilst these events diverted council resources from previously committed projects and activities, our focus in 2020-2021 is to continue to deliver for our region by ensuring that we develop a realistic program of works, priorities and actions that can be achieved with existing resources," Mr Sharp said.

The draft plan can be viewed online at the council's website and at council offices and libraries in Port Macquarie, Laurieton and Wauchope.

There will be displays at key locations around the region with the community encouraged to complete the feedback form or to email council with their thoughts.

A fact sheet provides an overview including a snapshot of key projects.

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