Supplementary AGENDA 1R |
Council Meeting
TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2020
6.30pm
In the spirit of open, accessible and transparent government, this meeting of the Inner West Council is being streamed live on Council’s website. Any part of this meeting that is held in closed session will not be recorded.
Council Meeting 23 June 2020 |
MEETING AGENDA – PRECIS SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS |
The following reports appear as late items as information required for the preparation of the reports was not available at the time of distribution of the Business Paper.
1 Reports for Council Decision
ITEM Page
C0620(3) Item 19 Infrastructure Stimulus Program 3
C0620(3) Item 20 Request for Postponement of Rates Notices. 5
Council Meeting 23 June 2020
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Subject: Infrastructure Stimulus Program
Prepared By: Elizabeth Richardson - Chief Operating Officer, Director Development & Recreation
Authorised By: Michael Deegan - Chief Executive Officer
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council pool its developer contributions reserves and accelerate $20 million for the delivery of infrastructure projects, generally in line with the list provided in Attachment 1 to this report.
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DISCUSSION
On the 18 May 2020, the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces issued a Direction under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, that read, in part:
“If a local council holds monetary contributions that have been paid for different purposes, including for purposes identified in more than one contributions plan that applies in the local government area concerned, the council is to endeavour to pool those contributions, and apply them progressively, in order to facilitate the provision of the public amenities and public services to which any of those contributions plans relate.”
The Direction instructs that councils are to endeavour to pool their collected contributions and progressively spend them, in a clear effort to support communities and create jobs.
Inner West Council currently has 23 separate developer contributions reserves, with a current balance of over $53 million. Accounting for projected expenditure for Council’s capital works program in the long-term financial plan, officers are of the view that around $20 million of unspent developer contributions could comfortably be pooled and targeted for expenditure in an accelerated infrastructure stimulus program.
A list of projects has been developed adhering to the principles of:
· A short project delivery timeframe. Almost all projects are able to be delivered within 12 months, or 18 months in the case of the works to the Leichardt Park Aquatic Centre;
· Sound asset management. Noting Council’s current infrastructure backlog of over $142 million, asset renewal has been given priority over new works; and
· Prioritisation of projects where Council has already resolved that these works be undertaken (eg, shade sails, tree planting program)
The list is provided in Attachment No.1. Should surplus funding arise (such as through grant funding of any of these projects), other roads and footpath renewal projects will prioritised for delivery with these funds instead.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Noting that Council’s 2020/21 Annual Budget and Delivery Program is currently on exhibition, it is proposed that adjustments for this infrastructure stimulus program be made at the first quarterly budget review.
1.⇩ |
List of Prioritised Projects for Infrastructure Stimulus |
Council Meeting 23 June 2020
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Subject: Request for Postponement of Rates Notices.
Prepared By: Daryl Jackson - Chief Financial Officer
Authorised By: Melodie Whiting - Director Corporate
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council resolve to postpone the 1st Instalment of 2020/21 Rates Notices to 31 August 2020. |
DISCUSSION
Council resolved to delay the adoption of the 2020/21 Budget and Delivery Program until the end of July in line with the offer made by the Office of Local Government. This was adopted during the Council Meeting on 28 April 2020 – Item 6.
The Rates installments for 2020/21 as a consequence can only be generated once the 2020/21 Delivery Program and Budget has been adopted. To allow for rates notices to be generated and posted to ratepayers it is recommended that Council postpone the 1st installment of rates notices for 2020/21 to 31 August 2020.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Nil