The financial health of Blue Mountains City Council is improving but the mayor has still warned of the need for “hard decisions” in the future.
Mayor Mark Greenhill said the council has made “significant achievements” in its 10-year financial plan but still faced strong challenges.
“We have achieved around $12 million in cost savings over the past seven years, secured over $87 million in grant funding for the community over the past five years, reduced council’s debt levels in the order of $2.3 million annual borrowings, and attracted $1.8 million to assist with bushfire recovery,” he said.
“Whilst we are realising some financial improvements now, these strategies are not going to be a quick fix and will take some years before making a real improvement to our bottom line,” Clr Greenhill said.
“Like many councils, the Blue Mountains faces significant financial challenges, in particular, how it can continue to deliver existing services into the future at levels affordable to the Council and acceptable to the community.
“Our focus will remain on our agreed priorities and projects that pose the highest risks and have a benefit to the majority of the community, as well as strengthen our city’s economy.
“This will involve making some hard decisions in the best interest of the city.”
The council’s key planning document, the Delivery Program 2013-2017 will be on public exhibition from the end of April.
Details of how residents and the community can provide feedback on these important plans will be advertised in the coming weeks.
