Revised Draft Delivery Program 2025-29 and Operational Plan 2025-26
Consultation closes Tuesday 24 June 2025
North Sydney Council was recently unsuccessful in its application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) in 2025-2026. This means that Council is unable to raise rates above the 4% rate peg increase. As a result, Council will operate at a deficit of $10m (excluding domestic waste management) during 2025-2026.
Due to this financial position, Council has amended its Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Draft Operational Plan 2025-2026 by deferring new projects and initiatives and reducing the infrastructure renewals budget by $12.5M. The updated plan also aims to mitigate liquidity risks through a financial repair strategy which considers potential service reductions as well as additional methods to raise revenue.
Council will consider and vote on the revised Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Draft Operational Plan 2025-2026 at an extraordinary meeting on Monday 30 June. Community feedback will be provided to Councillors to inform their decision.
Background
All Councils in NSW are required to comply with the State Government’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) Guidelines to ensure that they plan wholistically for the future and deliver the maximum benefit to the community.
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, Council must adopt its annual Operational Plan & Budget for the coming financial year by 30 June, outlining the activities to be undertaken in the next financial year (i.e. from 1 July 2025), as part of the Delivery Program.
The Delivery Program outlines our priorities and details all the strategies, projects, and initiatives that Council proposes to work on over the next four years.
The Operational Plan sets out Council’s proposed activities and budget for the 2025-2026 financial year. It shows how we plan to deliver on community priorities and maintain services over the next 12 months.
North Sydney Council previously exhibited a Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2025-2026 between 1 – 26 May 2025. This version assumed that Council would gain extra revenue from its special rate variation (SRV) application.
Since this was not approved by IPART, Council has now considered alternative strategies to mitigate financial risks in the short-term, while reviewing strategies for the long term.
You can find a copy of the previous version and the closed consultation information here: Draft Delivery Program 2025-29 and Operational Plan 2025-26 | Your Say North Sydney
If you have further questions, please contact Council's Community Engagement team by emailing yoursay@northsydney.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 9936 8100.
