Resilience the focus of draft Operational Plan and Budget

Published Date
10/06/2020
News Topic
Council
Op Plan and Budget

Randwick Council’s draft 2020-21 Operational Plan and Budget will specifically address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the community with a $52M package of initiatives and projects designed to create more than 3,000 jobs and offer support to residents and local businesses.

“The focus for Council right now is on making sure our community is able to not just survive the shock of the global pandemic but thrive,” stated Randwick Mayor Danny Said. “We have a range of short and long term plans that will help residents and businesses recover more quickly and allow the investments we make now to support our community for a long time to come.”

The support package of initiatives, known as Resilient Randwick, aims to develop job creation, provide community and business support and assist business recovery. It includes a $48.6M infrastructure program aimed at stimulating the economy and creating more 3,000 jobs.

An additional $3.7M will be allocated to support and recovery plans, which will include a new Economic Development and Placemaking team to work with local businesses, the development of a Destination Management Plan to build and expand the visitor economy and initiatives to improve town centres and public spaces.

Rates are proposed to increase by the IPART-approved amount of 5.52%, as consulted with the community in the Our Community Our Future program in 2017. For the average ratepayer paying about $1,281 a year, the increase in rates for 2020-21 will be about $67.

This modest increase contributes to the continuation of service levels and delivery of important stimulus programs to create jobs and provide support directly to those ratepayers, businesses and community members who need support.

Council’s finances have also been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with revenue forecast to decrease by more than $10.3M compared to pre-pandemic estimates.

Council is proposing to increase its borrowings from $6.5M to $14.5M to invest directly in capital works improvement projects to stimulate the local economy and create jobs. This is aimed at injecting funding now into areas most in need to help shorten the recovery timeframe and increase the impact of the investment.

The proposed capital works program will allocate $10.7M to roads, footpaths and cycling facilities; $10.4M to planning, renewal and construction of open space and recreation assets including playgrounds; $26M for community building projects such as the Matraville Youth and Cultural Hall and Blenheim House, improvements at the Randwick Community Nursery, refurbishment of Coogee Surf Club and master planning for Maroubra Beach; and $1.5M in drainage construction, including Council’s gross pollutant trap replacement program.

Other projects to start in the coming financial year will include the refurbishment of the amenities facility at Yarra Bay, completing our largest stormwater harvesting system at Maroubra Beach, building new playgrounds in Kokoda Park, Kensington and Coral Sea Park in Maroubra and creating a new plaza in Meeks St Kingsford.

Council will also implement a combined food and garden organics (FOGO) recycling service in 2021 for all residential households.

The draft Operational Plan and Budget as well as draft Fees and Charges documents can be viewed online at www.yoursay.randwick.nsw.gov.au for resident feedback from Wednesday 10 June until Thursday 9 July 2020. They will also be on display at all three Randwick Council libraries and the Customer Service Centre.

Last Updated: 1 March 2022
Back to top