Glen Innes Severn Council has made a number of critically important decisions that will shape the organisation’s direction and financial position over the coming decade.
Council formally adopted the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2025–2035, the Delivery Program (DP) 2025–2026, the 2025-2026 Operational Plan and Budget and the Revised Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) (2025-2035) – setting a clear course of action for service delivery, infrastructure investment and financial recovery.
Of particular importance, Council resolved to endorse the preparation of an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation (SRV), to be submitted in February 2026.
If approved, the SRV would be implemented from the 2026/27 financial year.
A revised Sustainability SRV scenario, adopted as part of the Revised LTFP 2025-2035, proposes a cumulative increase of 48.3 per cent over three years, reduced from the previously proposed 55.49 per cent over two years.
The revised model reflects extensive community feedback and updated financial analysis, and includes a later target year for financial sustainability, now projected for 2029/30.
Mayor Margot Davis said today’s decisions follow extensive community engagement and reflects Council’s commitment to addressing its long-term financial challenges, whilst meeting the obligations as elected officials and in accordance with the Local Government Act.
“This was a serious and significant decision for Council, we listened to the community particularly with regard to the impact on pensioners, extending the period of time the SRV is implemented, and the need expressed by the community to maintain services and infrastructure. Council will continue to focus on cost and service efficiencies and work more closely with the villages to improve their liveability,”Cr Davis said.
The Revised LTFP also includes a number of important amendments which are included in the revised sustainability scenario including:
• Increased operational savings through improved internal efficiencies
• An additional $50 pensioner rebate
• Ongoing commitment to town and village improvements
• Deferral of the Town Hall master planning project
• A technical adjustment to depreciation forecasts
• More moderate increases to waste charges
“This was a difficult but important decision in terms of the long-term future of the region. As elected members we have a responsibility to not just think about tomorrow but put in place the foundations for a financial, economic and socially sustainable future. We know any rate increase is difficult for parts of our community hence the initiatives around the pensioner rebate and the imminent review of our hardship policy. It was not a decision taken lightly, but a decision which puts in place the foundations for a stronger more vibrant future,” Mayor Davis added.
All adopted documents will be made available on Council’s website.
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