Council’s first-ever Budget delivers record capital works spend
Friday 30 June 2017
Inner West Council approved its first-ever integrated draft budget and operational plan at Tuesday night’s Council meeting.
Administrator Richard Pearson said the 2017/18 draft budget and operational plan is fair, reasonable and realistic – and delivers with a record capital works spend of $66 million.
He said he was proud that the fiscally responsible budget also managed to provide for large investments in important capital works.
The four year, achievable capital works program includes a number of landmark large-scale projects including the Ashfield Pool refurbishment, Steel Park Childcare Centre, Lilyfield Road Cycleway and further enhancement of the iconic Greenway.
The first Inner West Council budget was guided by:
- Council’s Statement of Vision and Priorities
- Results of recent Community Satisfaction Surveys
- Maintaining existing levels of service
“The number of major projects and level of services we are delivering with this budget and operational plan will greatly benefit our inner west community,” Mr Pearson said.
“In particular, the $66 million in capital works spending for next financial year has only been made possible by the larger scale of the new Council. This is $20 million more than the three former Councils combined were ever able to deliver.
“It includes $23.6 million to be spent on roads and footpaths as well as $12.1 first ever million to be spent on our trees, parks and sporting grounds.”
“This is an innovative and responsible budget,” Mr Pearson said.
The adopted plan and budget can be accessed.