What do I need to know?

 - $194,805 (Deficit)

The 2025/26 Operational Plan forecasts total income of $27.96 million, with a net operating deficit (after capital expenditure) of $194,805. This plan reflects community feedback and a “back to basics” approach, focusing on core service delivery in response to the following challenges: 

• A volatile economic and grant environment 
• Escalating fixed costs and infrastructure demands 
• Ongoing skills shortages and cost-shifting pressures 
• Community expectations for service, reliability and transparency. 

Council will diligently look for grant funding and other cost savings throughout the year to ensure residents continue to receive the quality of service currently provided.  

Oberon Council is investing over $7 million in road projects during the 2025/2026 financial year. This investment directly responds to the feedback received in the 2025 community survey, where residents clearly identified roads as their number one priority. The funding will support both the renewal of existing infrastructure and the maintenance of safe and reliable access across the network, with a strong focus on local and unsealed roads.

Key investments include:

$1.5 million – Regional Roads

This will support capital upgrades, pavement repairs, and ongoing maintenance on key routes such as Abercrombie Road, helping to improve safety and connectivity across the region. 

$4.3 million – Local Sealed Roads 

This includes resealing, patching, shoulder repairs and capital renewal of aging road surfaces in both town and rural areas.

$1.6 million – Local Unsealed Roads

Over $1 million has been allocated specifically for maintenance works, directly reflecting community feedback. Planned works include gravel resheeting, grading, and drainage improvements to ensure safer, more reliable access year-round.

This road program focuses on maintaining and improving existing infrastructure, ensuring that investment is directed to the most critical roads in line with community expectations and long-term planning.

❓ Did you Know?  

Oberon Council Road network includes

•   2 x State Roads (50kms)
•  4 x Regional Roads (102kms)
• Local roads consisting of sealed and unsealed (over 1,200kms)

For the 2025–26 financial year, Council will maintain its existing rating structure in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and equity principles. The estimated yield from ordinary rates incorporates a 5.4% increase, consistent with the rate peg set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). The 2025–26 ordinary rate forecast is based on: 

• Ad Valorem rates adjusted by 5.4%
• Base amounts remaining unchanged

This approach supports financial sustainability while maintaining fairness across the rating structure.

❓ Did you Know? ❓

Rates Revenue contributes approximately 28% to Council’s overall budget. The majority of the budget is reliant on State and Federal grants to deliver the array of services expected by our community. 

Council has established a Waste Working Party to provide strategic direction on waste management, aligning with the objectives of financial sustainability, compliance with environmental standards, and promoting recycling and resource recovery. The group has reviewed operational costs, regulatory requirements, and service delivery challenges, ensuring the continued improvement of waste services. 

Key guidance provided for the 2025/26 Operational Plan includes:

• Operational review in preparation for the implementation of a new weighbridge. 
• Transition of fees from volumetric to tonnage-based charges. 
• Discontinuation of the Bulky Goods collection service. 
• Removal of the Free Tip Day. 
• Introduction of Green Waste and other new charges. 
• Continued delivery of four free tip vouchers valued at $10 each per residential assessment. 

These changes are designed to balance community needs, long-term cost recovery, and align with state policy targets. In addition, Council will undertake community education and engagement to support the NSW Net Zero Waste 2030 goal and prepare for future waste strategy changes.

Fees and Charges for 2025/26 have been reviewed and adjusted based on: 

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases – 3.5%.
• Statutory requirements.
• Cost recovery principles. 

Significant updates include: 

• 5% increase to wastewater charges and sewer discharge factors. 
• 4% increase to annual waste collection charges to ensure cost recovery.

Council will continue to deliver a variety of maintenance, renewal and infrastructure projects across the year. A summary of expenditure is highlighted below. 

🏦 Infrastructure 

• Waste Facility New Landfill Cell - $710,000
• Sewer Mains Relining - $200,000
• Water Infrastructure continuous improvements - $624,000

Sewage Treatment Plant (STP): Council continues to seek funding support from state and federal agencies for the delivery of the new Sewage Treatment Plant. At the time of writing, the total project cost is estimated at $19 million, with the following funding model applied: 

• $4.2 million in existing grant funding 
• $5 million in additional grant funding (pending ministerial approval) 
• $7.8 million in Council reserves (including $3 million from a pre-existing loan) 
• $2 million in future loan funding or other secured sources 

Construction is anticipated to occur across two years, with 65% of the works ($12.42 million) scheduled in 2025/26 and the remainder in 2026/27. 

Oberon Sports Complex: This project is nearing completion, with construction due to be finalised by 30 June 2025. The new facility is made up of two rugby league fields, a carpark, clubhouse, grandstand and changerooms. Council has also secured funding to facilitate the construction of netball courts and continues to seek grant funding for installation of a synthetic hockey field to complete the facility. As the construction phase nears completion, Council is undertaking the process of transitioning to the new facility.

Council, along with its consultants Currajong, have undertaken extensive community consultation during 2024/25. Feedback from the community will assist as we move towards developing a Comprehensive Land Use Strategy (CLUS) for our Local Government Area. The CLUS 2041 will be the cornerstone of Council’s strategic land use documents that will set the direction and management of key land uses of the Oberon Local Government Area. The key land uses - Residential, Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural and Tourism - will be considered against our ecological, aesthetic, and economic factors to ensure sustainability, adaptability, and resilience into the future. Further community consultation will be undertaken during 2025/26 when a draft strategy has been developed.