Draft
Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Bayside Council
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Acknowledgement of Country Bayside Council acknowledges the Bidjigal Clan, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and work and acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Bayside Council pays respects to Elders past and present.
Bayside Council
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Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 4 About this Plan.................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Who we are ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Bayside Area & People .................................................................................................................................................. 5 The Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Our Community ................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Bayside Council ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 The Organisation .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
How we developed this Plan .......................................................................................................... 8 Long-Term Financial Sustainability ........................................................................................................................ 8 How do we Define Long-Term Financial Sustainability? ............................................................................................. 8 How is Long-Term Financial Sustainability Measured? ................................................................................................. 8 Achieving Long-Term Financial Sustainability .................................................................................................................. 8
Socio Economics .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Economic Environment .............................................................................................................................................. 10 Financial Objectives........................................................................................................................................................ 11 Future Revenue Assumptions ................................................................................................................................... 11 Future Expenditure Assumptions...........................................................................................................................13 Balance Sheet Projections ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Sensitivity Analysis........................................................................................................................................................ 14 Monitoring Financial Performance ......................................................................................................................... 15 Financial Assessment................................................................................................................................................... 16 Financial Projection Scenarios .............................................................................................................. 17 Scenario 1 - Base Case .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Scenario 2 – Optimistic .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Scenario 3 - Pessimistic ............................................................................................................................................. 29 Why we developed the Strategy ........................................................................................................ 33 Commitment to Community ................................................................................................................................... 33 Guiding Principles ......................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Good Governance ......................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Integrated Planning & Reporting .......................................................................................................................... 36
@ 15 April 2025 Owner - Manager Finance Bayside Council
Scheduled for adoption - June 2025 Next Step - Public exhibition Page 3 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Introduction The Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) is an important part of Council’s strategic planning process. This is the point where long-term community aspirations and goals are tested against financial realities. The strategies from the LTFP will guide the delivery of actions by Council to achieve the following outcomes: Council needs to resolve the ‘Income Gap’ that is reflected in this LTFP. This issue is not unique to Bayside and is the result of the continuous impact of the Rate Peg regime in NSW since 1977. While Council has been investing significantly in new assets since being formed in September 2016, these have mainly been funded by external sources, including developer contributions and grants and there is no funding source to provide for the increased maintenance, operating and future renewal of these assets. Bayside Council is forecasted to continue to have a high level of high-density residential housing development over the period of this LTFP and this will increase pressure to upgrade and expand existing infrastructure to provide services for our community. The former Rockdale City Council had an Infrastructure Levy that provide a funding source for renewal of infrastructure assets, but these funds can only be spent in the area they were levied. The former City of Botany Bay Council did not have the equivalent funding source that could be used to fund the required asset maintenance and future renewal
About this Plan The LTFP is a tool to aid decision making, priority setting and problem solving. It is a guide for future action, to be reviewed and updated annually, and addresses the following: how Council will survive future financial pressures opportunities for future income and economic growth whether Council can afford what the community requests how Council can achieve outcomes agreed with the community. The LTFP must be for a minimum of 10 years. it is a rolling plan that is reviewed annually. It informs decision-making and demonstrates how the strategies of the Community Strategic Plan, the outcomes of the Delivery Program and the actions from the Operational Plan will be resourced and funded. The LTFP captures financial implications of asset management and workforce planning. For example, by identifying how additional assets will be funded, or existing assets renewed or upgraded and what provisions are made for changes to service levels. Projected income and expenditure, balance sheet and cash flow statement must be prepared in accordance with the current Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting.
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Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Who we are Bayside Area & People The Area Located in the heart of Sydney, Bayside stretches over 29 suburbs including Bexley, Kingsgrove, and Carlton in the west; Banksmeadow, Hillsdale, Pagewood, Daceyville and Rosebery in the east; Wolli Creek and Turrella in the north; plus Rockdale, Mascot, Botany, Sydney Airport and Port Botany down to the coastal communities of Brighton Le Sands, Ramsgate, Dolls Point and Sandringham in the south. We are very proud of our local area and all that it offers. With our many parks, sporting facilities and picturesque foreshore, as we surround Botany Bay (Kamay) with 8 kilometres of beach and parkland, we believe that Bayside is truly one of the best places to live in Sydney. Bayside is well served with public transport with two main train lines and several busy bus routes. There are many great schools, boutique businesses, active laneways and precincts and a very vibrant mix of cultures. Our significant wetlands provide important corridors for native flora and fauna, as well as places for our community to engage with natural surroundings. Central to the area is the logistics core of NSW. Bayside has two major international transport hubs, the Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in Mascot and Port Botany, the largest container port in NSW. These areas are significant as they enable people and products to travel around the world and to come to Australia. Goods arriving at our ports are transported right around the country and Sydney is the busiest airport in Australia. Our local economy will mature as innovation and growth takes advantage of these opportunities.
Bayside Council
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Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Our Community Almost 183,000 residents live in Bayside and this is expected to increase by 30,000 by 2036. Bayside is home to a diverse community hailing from Australia and all over the world. People of all ages enjoy life in Bayside, many speak a language other than English at home and almost half were born overseas. First Nations people have lived on the shores of Botany Bay (Kamay) for tens of thousands of years. All of these different cultures enrich our area with their traditions, celebrations and stories. In order to effectively serve our community, we must understand the community we are serving. Following are some statistics that demonstrate that diversity.
People & Households
Living & Lifestyle
Work & Travel
Source Profile ID, Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census, Household Travel Survey 2019 Page 6 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Bayside Council The Organisation Values Values guide us in our interactions and relationships with all our customers. Internally there are also identifying statements and highlighted behaviours that strengthen our understanding of the values and clearly set the organisations expectations.
We go above & beyond delivering an outstanding customer experience every time.
We are courageous & innovative - committed to making a difference in our work.
We are all leaders’ decisive, outward focused & forward thinking, setting the vision for Bayside Council today & into the future
We support & invest in each other - creating a strong collaborative culture
Organisational Chart
Council General Manager GM Unit
City Futures
City Life
Business Transformation
City Infrastructure
Community Life
Development Services
Compliance & Community Safety
Property
Environment & Resilience
City Projects Communications & Engagement Events, Arts & Design Mayoral & Councillor Support
Bayside Council
Strategic Planning
Libraries & Lifestyle
City Performance City Presentation Customer Experience Finance Governance & Risk
City Works Parks & Open Space Waste & Cleansing
Information Technology Procurement & Fleet
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Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
How we developed this Plan Long-Term Financial Sustainability How do we Define Long-Term Financial Sustainability? A financially sustainable Council is one that can continue to deliver services and replace or renew its assets without relying on too much on debt or excessively raising rates for future generations. This idea is broken down into five key financial sustainability principles: Achieving a balanced budget: The Council must collect enough revenue to cover its operating costs, debt repayments, and asset depreciation. Maintaining sufficient cash reserves: The Council must have enough cash set aside to cover shortterm expenses. Fully funded capital program: The Council must secure funding for both renewing old assets and building new ones. Maintaining its asset base: The Council must update or replace aging infrastructure and set aside funds for future assets that are needed for the community. Intergenerational equity: The Council must make decisions that are fair to both current and future generations. It is important to note that many Councils in NSW struggle to meet these sustainability goals. The main challenge is the need to adequately maintain and renew old infrastructure. Studies, like the 2006 Local Government and Shires Association’s independent inquiry and the 2013 NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) report into financial sustainability, highlight this ongoing issue. In 2021-22, the Office of Local Government reported that Councils had an infrastructure backlog of $5.6 billion. This shows the urgent need to increase funding for renewing infrastructure across NSW. If NSW Councils don’t increase funding soon, the backlog will continue to grow, possibly to a level that is too large to fix without affecting services. A TCorp review further identified that if funding is not increased in the immediate term, then the infrastructure renewal backlog will continue to increase at a level which may become too great to address without serious ramifications on service delivery. The backlog is largely due to Councils not having enough money to cover depreciation. Depreciation represents the decrease in value of assets over time. Councils often try to fit asset renewals into their budgets, but they don’t have enough funds to replace all aging assets at the end of their useful life. This isn't due to poor management; it’s because Councils can't afford to fund depreciation without cutting existing services. Rate increases, which are controlled by IPART, have not kept up with the rising costs of maintenance. Even with changes to the rate-setting method in 2024-25, Councils still face a funding gap that has built up over the past 40 years Delaying asset renewals makes the problem worse, as older assets become more expensive to maintain. To address this, Councils are using Integrated Planning and Reporting, which focuses on managing an asset’s entire life cycle, not just maintaining it. This approach helps Councils show the community the long-term costs of not renewing assets.
How is Long-Term Financial Sustainability Measured? A recent review undertaken by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) into the Revenue Framework for Local Government identified a number of key performance indicators which measure the financial performance and position of NSW Councils. The indicators measure both recurrent operations and capital sustainability. Council will review its LTFP against these indicators as part of assessing the long-term financial health of the organisation and its capacity to fund the Delivery Program.
Achieving Long-Term Financial Sustainability One of the biggest challenges for Council is addressing its long-term financial sustainability, specifically potential future deficits in operating results, excluding capital and reserve movements, as well as the forecasted shortfall of $93 million for asset expenditure over the next 10 years. Council has already taken some steps to address this issue, however these won’t fully resolve the problem caused by historically low rate-pegs, resulting in a cumulative low-rate base. Page 8 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
To address the overall funding shortfall, Council may need to consider increasing rates instead of cutting essential services provided to the community. One options could be a one-off rate increase beyond the recommended rate peg to readjust the rate base and/or the introduction of an infrastructure levy to the east side of Bayside. A major factor contributing to this issue is the rise in Council’s depreciation expenses, which have increased due to the delivery of new, more functional and environmentally friendly assets. While these assets offer benefits, they come with higher operating and maintenance costs and additional depreciation. Analysing depreciation is important because it highlights the amount of the funding shortfall that Council needs to close for it to renew its infrastructure assets, which is currently estimated at $56 million over the next 10 years. Along with the asset renewal funding shortfall, there is an additional $38 million funding gap for maintaining infrastructure assets throughout Bayside. Combined, this results in a $94 million funding shortfall over the next decade. Addressing this funding shortfall is essential for Council to maintain long-term financial sustainability and continue providing services to the community (at an appropriate level); and achieve Council’s asset maintenance and renewal financial requirements. The funding deficit has notably reduced compared to previous projections, attributed to external funding received through grants. These grants have fuelled substantial renewals across Bayside in the last three years. Furthermore, the updated Capital Projects Program includes revised cost projections for key projects like the Boulevarde Carpark, Mascot Oval, Botany Aquatic Centre and Spring Creek Naturalisation project. Each of these projects includes asset renewals and have identified funding sources. To address the financial challenge, Council has the following options: Increasing revenue Reducing expenditure Reviewing current asset holdings. Council must continue with its improvement plan, which has already made progress in closing some of the funding gaps outlined in the plan. Over the past five years, there has been improvement in closing the infrastructure gap, however, to sustain this progress, Council must balance its spending with its income. This includes identifying operational efficiencies, managing grants wisely, and prudent allocation of funds toward new assets, with prioritising the maintenance and renewal of existing assets. It's also crucial for Council to manage community expectations around service levels, all of which will help address the financial sustainability challenges Council faces.
Socio Economics When preparing the plan, many factors are taken into consideration noting that rates, annual charges and user fees and charges make up a significant portion of Council’s total revenue so capacity to pay is an important factor.
Residential Properties In the 2024-25 financial year there are 68,702 properties across Bayside rated as ‘Residential’. These properties include single dwellings, social housing, and multi-unit dwellings.
Housing Tenure In Bayside, 52.4% of households were purchasing or fully owned their home, 36.9% renting privately, and 3.3% in social housing in 2021. Analysis of the monthly housing loan repayments of households in Bayside Council area compared to Greater Sydney shows that there was a similar proportion of households paying high mortgage repayments ($2,600 per month or more), as well as a similar proportion of households with low mortgage repayments (less than $1,200 per month).
Household Incomes Analysis of household income levels in Bayside Council area in 2021 compared to Greater Sydney shows that there was a smaller proportion of high-income households those earning $3,000 per week or more) and a higher proportion of low-income households (those earning less than $800 per week). Overall, 26.1% of the households earned a high income and 19.2% were low-income households, compared with 30.1% and 17.9% respectively for Greater Sydney. Bayside Council
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Indexes The Bayside Council Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) measure the relative level of socioeconomic disadvantage and/or advantage based on a range of Census characteristics. SEIFA indexes are a good place to start to get a general view of the relative level of disadvantage in one area compared to others, but it is important to also look at these underlying characteristics as they can differ markedly between areas with similar SEIFA scores and shed light on the type of disadvantage being experienced. In 2021, Bayside Council had a SEIFA index score of 1,004 which is slightly higher than the NSW average of 1,000.
Concessions There are concessions available for rates and annual charges for eligible ratepayers who receive an aged or disability support pension under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993. Council recognises that from time-to-time certain ratepayers may have difficulty in paying their Council rates and charges. The Local Government Act allows Council to provide a range of assistance to these ratepayers in circumstances detailed in our Hardship Policy.
Economic Environment The Bayside Council economy is part of a complex and diverse network of activities.
$14,939 million Gross Regional Product (GRP)
91,433 Local Jobs
100,357 Employed Residents
+ 9.05% Annual change in GRP
+ 9.26% Annual change in local jobs
+ 5.91% Annual change employed residents
Greater Sydney 5.87%
Greater Sydney 5.82%
Greater Sydney 3.32%
Business Properties and Industry There are 4,823 properties across Bayside which are rated as ‘Business’ and account for around 6.6% of Council’s total rateable properties. The construction industry had the largest number of total registered businesses in the Bayside Council area, comprising 18.7 % of all total registered businesses, compared to 17.1% in New South Wales (ABS).
Gross Regional Product Bayside Council’s Gross Regional Product (GRP) was $14.9 billion in the 2022-23 financial year. This represents 3% of the GRP of the State of NSW.
Population and Workers In the 2022-23 financial year, 100,357 Bayside residents were employed from a total population of 182,987 people. In the Bayside Council area, Transport, Postal and Warehousing is the largest employer, generating 21,444 Full Time Equivalents (FTE’s) in 2022-23.
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Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Financial Objectives In addition to the legislated principles of sound financial management, Bayside Council has five financial objectives that it applies to its financial planning, control and management.
Deliver operating surpluses Ensure that each year the budget has a healthy before capital revenue operating surplus, combined with strong budget management and control, to help deliver an operating surplus for Council.
Fund existing service levels Ensure existing service levels that Council currently provide continue to be fully funded when preparing budgets and making financial decisions.
Fund infrastructure renewals The funding allocated to annual capital works programs is as per the Asset Management Program. This will ensure that Council meets the infrastructure renewals ratio benchmark each year.
Ensure financial stability Council can guarantee its financial stability by maintaining a strong cash position, ensuring its ability to generate its own operating revenue and having sufficient assets to cover its liabilities.
Financial legacy Ensure that every financial decision that is made, by both Council and Council management, creates and safeguards the financial legacy of Bayside Council - a legacy of being prudent and responsible. This is reflected in Council’s commitment to maintain a conservative risk / return portfolio.
Future Revenue Assumptions The base year figures that have been used for operating revenue are those contained within the 202526 budget. In preparing the 2025-2035 LTFP, the following underpinning principles have been used: Budgets will aim to maintain assets to at least the same condition as they were at the start of each financial year, Management will continually look for ways to structurally realign resources and/or increase income opportunities without changes to service standards, Services and Infrastructure in any new areas will be provided when they are needed, Council will continue to improve its capacity to fund its recurrent operations and renew critical infrastructure through sustainable financial decision making.
Rates Council’s ability to align rating revenues with the increased cost of providing Local Government services has been restrained by rate pegging (since 1977), a legislative instrument whereby the maximum increase in rating revenues is currently set by IPART. For the rating year commencing 1st July 2025, IPART had determined that the rate peg limit will be 6.1%, including a population factor of 2.4%. The number of properties subject to rating in 2025-26 is as follows: Category
Number of Properties
Average Rate $pa (excluding Special Rate Variations)
Residential - minimum
45,650
926.48
Residential - ad valorem
23,052
1,296.85
Business - minimum
2,257
926.48
Business - ad valorem
2,709
9,592.18
Farmland - ad valorem
5
1,612.14
Total
Bayside Council
73,673
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Special Rates Includes Local Area Rates, Community Safety Levies, Community Building Levies and Infrastructure Levies. Special rates are levied on identified residential and business properties to cover the cost of any works, services, facilities or activities carried out and for the benefit of specific local areas.
Annual Charges Section 496 of the Act requires Council to levy a domestic waste management service charge on each residential parcel of land for which the service is available, regardless of whether or not the garbage and recycling collection service is used. This charge will be recovered via the domestic waste admin fee. Almost a quarter of Council’s revenue is received through the levying of annual charges. Section 502 of the Act then allows Council to levy users of the service an annual waste charge dependent upon the number of waste bins being utilised. Section504 of the Local Government Act 1993 requires that the domestic waste management charges are calculated so that they do not exceed the reasonable cost to Council of providing those services. Therefore, the increases in these charges included in the plan are consistent with the increases applied to the operating expenditure incurred by the service. It is important to note that during 2024-25 Council commenced a new waste service management. This included the rolling out green organic waste bins across the western side of Bayside. This has resulted in the harmonisation of waste fees for all residential parcels of land. There has been no increase assumed for the stormwater management annual charge. This charge is determined under clause 125AA of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 and has remained at the same level since its inception. Overall increases have been set at the CPI factor.
User fees and charges Council receives 6.5% of its annual operating revenue through user fees and charges, set under section 610D of the Local Government Act 1993. Fees and charges applied by Council for services such as the aquatic centres, the various childcare centres, commercial trade waste and the hire of community facilities such as Council’s sports fields and community halls. Some of these are set by statutory regulations and future increases are difficult to predict but have been assumed at the CPI index. The forecast includes an assumption that the Botany Aquatic Centre will be completed by the end of 2026-27 and will re-open during Spring 2027, resulting in an uplift in user chargers and fees in 2027-28.
Other revenues Council receives 9.4% of its annual operating revenue through other revenue streams. This revenue is primarily through rent from commercial properties and affordable housing program, revenue associated with Sydney Airport Corporation Limited agreement and through the issuing of parking infringement notices. The forecast assumes that these services will increase in line with CPI. The forecast includes an assumption that the Boulevarde Car Park redevelopment will be completed by the end of 2028-29 and will generate income through commercial arrangements in 2029-30.
Operating grants and contributions Bayside Council has demonstrated a moderate degree of reliance on external funding sources such as grants and contributions. There has been no inclusion of any additional grants or contributions in the plan with only those non-speculative, existing, and recurring grants and contributions being included with a very modest increase assumed across the period of the plan.
Capital grants and contributions Council receives development contributions from property developers which are used to fund community facilities and infrastructure. The contribution a developer pays for a new development is capped by NSW legislation. The section 7.11 (formerly S94) contributions received, and the infrastructure to be funded that are contained within this plan, are consistent with Council’s Section 7.11 Development Contributions Plan (2019). Various grants are received by Council for capital projects. These grants are predominately for road construction and the number and value are determined by State or Federal Government programs. Due to the nature of their unpredictability, capital grants contained in the plan are minimal.
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Gains from disposals of assets Gains from the sale of Council’s plant and fleet assets are included in the plan. These disposals are in accordance with Council’s policy.
Future Expenditure Assumptions The base year figures that have been used for operating expenditure in this plan are those contained within the forecasted 2025-26 budget.
Employee costs Expenditure relating to Council’s workforce accounts for over 43% of total operating expenditure and is therefore one of the largest investments that Council makes on an annual basis. The forecasted wage percentage increase is based on the Local Government Award 2023 and has been forecasted using historical averages up to 2025-26. As the current Local Government Award does not extend beyond 2025-26, Council has assumed that salary and wages will increase in-line with the upper threshold of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) inflation target for the remaining period of the LTFP. Council’s superannuation expense is aligned to the payments required under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. The Act sees the percentage rate grow from 11.5% in 2024-25 to 12% in 2025-26 and will remain at this rate into subsequent periods. This increase has been incorporated into the plan. The forecast incorporates employee costs associated with the anticipated opening of the new Botany aquatic centre in 2027-28.
Materials and contracts Materials and services costs include the costs associated with operating Council, including cost associated with the purchasing of raw materials, waste collection and disposal costs and utilities and other services. The Reserve Bank of Australia has an inflation target between 2 and 3%, however the inflation rate has only returned to within this range in the last economic quarters, with the December 2024 headline inflation rate being 2.4%. As materials and services includes a broad range of expenditure items and due to some external factors creating some uncertainty in the economy that could lead to inflationary pressure, the forecast is factoring material and services cost to increase 0.5% above the upper RBA inflation target in 2026-27, before returning into the range in subsequent periods.
Depreciation Depreciation for Council’s assets is a non-cash expense that reflects the utilisation of Council’s assets and the degradation of their capacity to provide functionality over time. Depreciation expense is an indicator used by the Office of Local Government to determine the level of asset renewals that Councils should be undertaking. Council’s depreciation is increasing over the period due to the costs associated with replacing outdated facilities with modern facilities that have more functionality to cater for a growing population across Bayside Council. Bayside Council uses a straight-line method of depreciation which is very commonly applied to Local Government infrastructure.
Other expenses Other expense primarily includes payments to other statutory bodies. Increases in the range of levies imposed by the State Government are hard to predict. Levies such as the State Emergency Services Levy, Fire Brigade Levy and Sydney Regional Development Fund contribution have grown significantly over the past few years and have been forecast to continue grow in line with inflation over the period.
New and discontinued operations The LTFP includes an assumption that the current Botany Aquatic Centre facility will close towards the end of 2024-25 financial year and the site redeveloped and enhanced over a 2-year period before reopening in Spring 2027. The Boulevarde Car Park redevelopment has been incorporated into the forecast with the new development expecting to include some commercial precincts. The project is expected to be completed in 2028-29 financial year and be operational during the subsequent financial year. Bayside Council
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Balance Sheet Projections The base year figures that have been used for all balance sheet items including cash and investments are those included in the audited financial reports for the 2023-24 year.
Cash and investments Council has several cash reserves both externally and internally restricted. The forecasted balances of cash and investments have considered the planned transaction of various reserves such as plant replacement, domestic waste reserve, employee leave entitlements, IT reserve, stormwater management, section 7.11 contributions reserve and others. Cash levels have been forecasted to ensure that adequate operational liquidity is maintained. The balance of cash reserves which are considered funding sources in the budgeting process are based on the audited balances as at 30 June 2024 which amounts to $505 million.
Inventories and other assets The inventory that Council holds at its Works Depot, Aquatic Centre, and Community Nursery have remained stable over the past ten years. These levels have been forecasted to continue over the life of the plan.
Infrastructure, property, plant and equipment Bayside Council has approximately $1.9 billion worth of infrastructure, property plant and equipment. The financial management of these assets are guided by the 2025-2035 Asset Management Strategy. The asset renewals and upgrades incorporated in the long-term financial plan are incorporated in the 2025-2026 operational plan and the four-year development plan. The asset base maintained by Council has been subject to a program of revaluation cycles since Council was proclaimed in September 2016 and improvements in asset data information collected over the last couple of years has been used to update financial plan and strategic asset management.
Provisions Council has made provisions for payment of employee leave entitlements which predominately consist of annual leave and long service leave. The balance of these provisions is governed by the Leave Policy and have been forecasted in line with its objectives. When determining the value of the provisions, factors such as wage and salary increases, cash rate forecasts, and factors affecting discounting rates have been taken into consideration. Council has, as a result of past operating activities, a few former tips sites situated within Bayside that may require future restoration, and remediation works if the contamination at any point becomes significant. Provisions also includes an estimate of future costs that Council may incur to rehabilitate and reinstate the former tip sites.
Borrowings Bayside Council’s loan with TCorp will be repaid by 30 June 2025 and the remaining loan balances repaid by 30 June 2026. The result is that Bayside Council does not have any loans and associated borrowing costs in the forecast period beyond 2025-26 as Council’s capital program is expected to be funded through existing developer contributions, reserves and grant funding.
Sensitivity Analysis Variations to assumptions applied in this plan may occur during the life of the plan and these variations could have a major or significant impact on the results of the financial modelling. The plan contains a range of assumptions which are developed after reviewing information from a number of various sources. Council has ensured that these sources are reputable and are the bestknown available source for that data. A conservative approach has been taken in the development of the plan, to ensure that the chosen option is more likely to succeed and exposes Council to the least amount of risk. Conservative financial planning is used as a tool to keep pressure on operating budgets, with any surpluses that eventuate being allocated towards infrastructure asset maintenance or capital expenditure.
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Cash rates From April 2022 to November 2023 the Reserve Bank of Australia raised the official cash rate from a historic low of 0.10% to 4.35%. Council benefited from the increase in cash rate through interest income it received from its investments in term deposits. However, the official inflation rate has fallen to be within the RBA’s official target of 2 to 3 percent. This occurred for the September 2024 and December 2024 quarters. This resulted in the RBA cutting the official cash rate in February 2025 by 0.25 basis points to 4.10%. The lowering of interest rates has been factored into the returns that Council is currently receiving from its investments in term deposits, with the major banks currently forecasting the official cash rate to fall to about 3.35% by December 2025. The returns on investments in the forecast model reflect rates decreasing over the next 12 months and then remaining relatively steady for the remaining forecast term. The reduction in the cash rates has had a negative impact on Council’s investment portfolio, as investment returns are driven lower. It should be noted that the majority of Council's investments, approximately 80%, are made up of externally restricted developer contributions. Therefore, any earnings derived from investing these funds must adhere to the same restrictions as developer contributions and cannot be utilised for general operations. The lower cash rates do result in lower borrowing costs for both owner occupiers and investors which could create a flow on effect in terms of development activity across the City.
Consumer Price Index Consumer Price Index (CPI) assumptions are heavily used throughout the plan and is an assumption used on both expenditure and revenue which mitigates substantial impact on the results of the financial modelling should there be any significant variance. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in their media release on 31 January 2025 indicated that the inflation rate for the December 2024 quarter fell 0.4% compared to the September 2024 quarter to 2.4%. This means that inflation has been within the RBA’s target inflation rate of 2 to 3 percent for the last two quarters and is the reason why Council is using the RBA inflation range in future assumptions. The current inflation rates are a significant decrease from the peak of inflation in December 2022 when the annual inflation rate was 7.8%.
Employee Costs Council has modelled employee costs using the recent Local Government (NSW) Award and gradually decreases the percentage to align with the anticipated reduction in the forecasted overall economic environment. The existing award is due to expire in 2025-2026, therefore Council has assumed that staff costs will increase by on average 3% over the duration of the LTFP. Employee costs are major element of Councils cost base and any changes in wages assumptions will have an impact on Councils on-going financial performance.
Monitoring Financial Performance The Primary Model adopted in this plan has been developed to ensure that it meets Council’s five financial objectives, and the benchmarks and/or targets for an array of financial indicators which have either been internally or externally prescribed. There are a number of factors which affect the value and size of certain revenue, operating expenditure, and/or capital expenditure each financial year. However, the impact these variations have on the financial indicators are what should be measured.
Financial Indicators The Primary Model has been developed so that its implementation will meet a set of financial indicators: Balanced Budget Operating Performance Ratio Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio Unrestricted Current Ratio Debt Service Ratio Asset Maintenance Ratio Asset Renewal Ratio Bayside Council
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Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Budget control Budget control and monitoring are paramount for Council achieving the outcomes of this plan. Budgets are monitored internally on an ongoing basis using Council’s financial information systems. Monthly Financial Reports and Quarterly Budget Reviews are reported to Council and illustrate the progress against its adopted budgets.
Financial Assessment Council’s budget has faced significant pressures including: An increasing burden as a result of cost shifting from other levels of government, Increases in the cost of procuring goods and services have been consistently higher than rate pegging increases as determined by IPART; and Greater competition between Councils in the allocation of external funding such as Financial Assistance Grants. The biggest single financial issue facing Council is the need to maintain and replace ageing assets, while providing new assets to meet the needs and expectations of the community. Council has invested significantly in new and upgraded assets, funded by developer contributions and grants since its formation in September 2016, however these are not able to be used to fully fund maintenance, operation costs or the renewal to these assets. All the current scenarios reflect Council’s significant long-term financial sustainability challenges as follows: Operating results: small changes in assumptions can have a significant impact over the long term. Council’s net operating result from continuing operations is positive for all modelled scenarios, however, the pessimistic model does go into deficit in 2029-30 when removing capital grants and contributions. These results are based on the statutory financial performance of Council. The results are quite different once you remove all restricted income in determining Council’s true operating result, which is a structural budget challenge that faces Council. Cash remains relatively strong, however a major proportion of cash held by Council is restricted by legislation and can only be used for specific activities. While the base case model has a good operating cash balance there are less funds available for internal reserves from 2028-29 due to funding for capital projects and on-going costs of running new facilities. Council has a longstanding commitment to adopting balanced budgets. To achieve this budget outcome decisions are made around the level of asset maintenance and deferral of renewal to ensure that Council can fund the proposed budget. A balanced budget is reflected in all scenarios.
Page 16 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Financial Projection Scenarios Council’s LTFP contains long-term projections based on specific assumptions. As it is difficult to accurately predict all future trends, alternative scenarios have been modelled to help provide an indication of Council’s future financial position under a variety of circumstances. These alternative scenarios are summarised below. All scenarios use the 2025-26 draft budget as the base and the same forecasted capital works program. The optimistic and base case models include an annual improvement plan that factor in transfers to the Infrastructure Maintenance Reserve with the intention to reduce the funding gap over the life of the plan.
Scenario One - Base Case This is the business-as-usual scenario and includes the 6.1% rate peg published by IPART for 2025-26 and a population growth factor of 0.5 %. Employment costs are expected to increase by 3.0% per annum over the next 10 years. Council is expecting materials and services costs to increase between 2.5% to 3.0% per annual over the next decade from 2026-27, with the current inflation rate falling within this target range. Council only budget for known operating and capital grants. The base case includes assumptions in relation to operating the new Botany Aquatic Centre and the redeveloped Boulevarde Car Park once construction has been completed for these projects. While the base case is financially sustainable there are pressures in the model that lower the availability internal reserves and unrestricted cash. This impacts the ability of Council to keep up with the maintenance requirements of its infrastructure assets. This could be alleviated through the introduction of an Infrastructure Levy on the east side of Bayside, to match the levy paid on the west side of Bayside, and/or apply for a one off rate adjustment that realigns the rate base and increases revenue to cover Councils future operating costs.
Scenario Two – Best Case (Optimistic) This scenario uses a higher rate peg assumption compared to the base case (up 1.0% to 2.0%), as well as 1.5% population growth rate in population per annum over the next 10 years. It also includes employment costs increasing by 2.5% per annum over the next 10 years. Council’s best-case scenario has assumed no changes to assumptions in relation to materials and services and other expenses due to Council actively managing these expenses. The capital projects program remains the same. Rate revenue and employee costs are a large component of Council income and expenses. A small percentage change in these assumptions have a material impact on the anticipated financial performance of Council.
Scenario Three – Worst Case (Pessimistic) In this scenario, a lower rate peg has been assumed throughout the period and a lower population growth factor of 0.2%. Employment costs are expected to increase by 3.5% per annum over the decade. Due to supply and demand pressure for materials and services, this model assumes these costs to increase above the 2.5% inflation target set by the RBA. These 3 areas are the main drivers for the decline in the long-term financial sustainability of Council in this scenario. In this scenario Council would need to apply for a special rate variation to increase rateable income and look to reduce services provided to the community, as well as operational efficiencies to ensure that Council remained financially sustainable. The scenario provided does not include these measures, however it illustrates the impact on the financials if Council continues operating as per normal and these revenue and cost pressures occur. For Council to achieve financial sustainability, all four financial sustainable principles must be met. Achieving a balanced budget: The Council must collect enough revenue to cover its operating costs, debt repayments, and asset depreciation. Maintaining sufficient cash reserves: The Council must have enough cash set aside to cover shortterm expenses. Fully funded capital program: The Council must secure funding for both renewing old assets and building new ones. Maintaining its asset base: The Council must update or replace aging infrastructure and set aside funds for future assets that are needed for the community. Bayside Council
Page 17 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Scenario 1 - Base Case Assumption Item
2025-26
2026-27
2027-28
2028-29
2029-30
2030-31
2031-32
2032-33
2033-34
2034-35
Ordinary & Special rates
n/a
4.5%
4.0%
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Annual Charges
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Fees & Charges (Statutory)
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Fees and Charges (Other)
n/a
4.0%
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Rental Income
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Other Revenues
n/a
4.0%
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Grants
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Capital Income
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Interest Income on Investment
n/a
4.0%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
Employee Costs
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
Materials and Contracts
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Other Expenses
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Population Growth
n/a
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
NB: FY2025-26 is as included in the draft budget contained in the Delivery Program & Operational Plan
Scenario 2 – Optimistic Case Assumption Item
2025-26
2026-27
2027-28
2028-29
2029-30
2030-31
2031-32
2032-33
2033-34
2034-35
Ordinary & Special rates
n/a
5.5%
5.0%
4.5%
4.5%
4.5%
4.5%
4.5%
4.5%
4.5%
Annual Charges
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Fees & Charges (Statutory)
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Fees and Charges (Other)
n/a
4.5%
4.0%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
Rental Income
n/a
4.0%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
Other Revenues
n/a
4.5%
4.0%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
Grants
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Capital Income
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Page 18 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Assumption Item
2025-26
2026-27
2027-28
2028-29
2029-30
2030-31
2031-32
2032-33
2033-34
2034-35
Interest Income on Investment
n/a
4.0%
4.0%
4.0%
4.0%
4.0%
4.0%
4.0%
4.0%
4.0%
Employee Costs
n/a
3.0%
2.5%
2.0%
3.0%
2.5%
2.0%
3.0%
2.5%
2.0%
Materials and Contracts
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Other Expenses
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Population Growth
n/a
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
NB: FY2025-26 is as included in the draft budget contained in the Delivery Program & Operational Plan
Scenario 3 – Pessimistic Case Assumption Item
2025-26
2026-27
2027-28
2028-29
2029-30
2030-31
2031-32
2032-33
2033-34
2034-35
Ordinary & Special rates
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Annual Charges
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Fees & Charges (Statutory)
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Fees & Charges (Other)
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Rental Income
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Other Revenues
n/a
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Grants
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Capital Income
n/a
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Interest Income on Investment
n/a
4.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
Employee Costs
n/a
4.0%
3.5%
3.0%
4.0%
3.5%
3.0%
4.0%
3.5%
3.0%
Materials and Contracts
n/a
4.0%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
Other Expenses
n/a
3.5%
3.5%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
3.0%
Population Growth
n/a
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
NB: FY2025-26 is as included in the draft budget contained in the Delivery Program & Operational Plan
Bayside Council
Page 19 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Capital Works Program It is assumed that the capital works program is the same for all scenarios. 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
Asset Planning & Systems
1,136
1,679
7,651
8,175
-
-
40
-
240
240
Beaches and Waterways
750
2,200
1,700
6,490
100
250
600
-
-
-
Buildings and Property
4,243
13,594
40,036
33,590
3,250
3,250
3,500
3,250
3,500
3,500
550
550
550
550
550
550
550
550
550
550
Open Spaces
7,380
6,246
13,931
9,845
3,895
3,995
4,675
4,775
4,775
4,775
Plant, Fleet and Equipment
8,732
7,982
8,132
8,132
7,200
8,400
6,800
7,500
8,600
8,500
Pools & Aquatic Centres
10,000
22,958
180
250
150
250
350
350
455
455
Roads and Transport
11,065
8,728
7,653
8,578
14,721
11,866
11,887
11,950
12,010
12,010
Stormwater Drainage
1,250
775
600
650
2,821
2,882
3,231
3,231
3,231
3,231
210
500
850
1,815
-
-
-
-
-
-
45,316
65,211
81,283
78,075
32,687
31,443
31,633
31,856
33,361
33,261
Asset Planning & Systems
64
346
1,000
2,535
-
-
-
-
-
-
Buildings and Property
310
3,061
3,489
750
16,182
6,871
7,014
3,799
3,799
3,799
IT and Communications
362
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,329
1,520
7,729
3,525
17,325
376
270
284
284
284
100
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Pools & Aquatic Centres
15,000
34,436
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Roads and Transport
2,954
3,905
2,525
2,820
550
450
550
450
450
450
Stormwater Drainage
200
725
200
300
7,699
14,523
-
-
-
-
Town Centres
210
500
720
1,905
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total New Assets
22,529
44,494
15,662
11,835
41,756
22,220
7,834
4,533
4,533
4,533
Total Capital Works Program
67,845
109,705
96,946
89,910
74,443
53,663
39,467
36,389
37,894
37,794
Renewal of Assets
Library Resources
Town Centres Total Renewal of Assets New Assets
Open Spaces Plant, Fleet and Equipment
Page 20 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Scenario 1 - Base Case Base Case Income Statement 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
Rates and annual charges
159,624
166,662
173,195
179,284
184,878
189,930
195,015
200,200
205,509
210,967
User fees & charges
16,245
16,671
19,088
21,565
22,104
22,657
23,223
23,803
24,398
25,008
Other revenues
23,519
24,412
25,267
26,025
27,800
28,842
29,563
30,302
31,060
31,836
Grants & contributions – operating purposes
11,091
11,368
11,652
11,944
12,242
12,548
12,862
13,183
13,513
13,851
Grants & contributions – capital purposes
17,002
17,013
37,560
20,802
16,484
16,750
17,553
17,944
18,648
18,797
Interest & investment income
21,704
19,082
17,531
17,168
16,348
16,115
16,586
17,655
18,677
19,948
Total income from continuing operations
249,185
255,208
284,293
276,787
279,856
286,841
294,801
303,087
311,805
320,408
Employee benefits & on-costs
96,209
99,575
104,163
108,518
112,316
115,685
118,577
122,727
126,409
129,569
Materials & services
88,505
87,802
90,484
94,808
96,424
99,383
102,055
105,673
107,279
110,173
Depreciation & amortisation
35,676
36,591
37,481
38,418
39,379
40,363
41,372
42,407
43,467
44,554
Other expenses
5,073
5,250
5,408
5,543
5,681
5,824
5,969
6,118
6,271
6,428
Borrowing costs
7
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
225,470
229,219
237,537
247,287
253,800
261,255
267,974
276,926
283,427
290,725
Net operating result from continuing operations
23,715
25,989
46,756
29,500
26,056
25,587
26,828
26,162
28,379
29,683
Net operating result before capital grants and contributions
6,713
8,976
9,196
8,698
9,572
8,837
9,275
8,218
9,731
10,886
Revenue
Expenses
Total expenses from continuing operations
Bayside Council
Page 21 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Base Cash Flow Statement 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
158,948
166,214
172,780
178,896
184,522
189,608
194,691
199,870
205,171
210,619
User fees & charges
16,355
16,600
18,668
21,135
22,010
22,561
23,125
23,703
24,295
24,903
Interest & investment income
21,653
19,388
17,574
17,302
16,371
15,986
16,338
17,381
18,390
19,641
Grants & contributions
27,941
28,373
48,635
33,202
28,837
29,282
30,384
31,107
32,132
32,635
Other
23,371
24,386
24,880
26,237
27,828
28,807
29,525
30,270
31,021
31,806
Employee benefits & on-costs
(96,141)
(99,517)
(104,078)
(108,436)
(112,249)
(115,626)
(118,527)
(122,655)
(126,345)
(129,514)
Materials & services
(88,236)
(87,818)
(90,391)
(94,662)
(96,366)
(99,281)
(101,963)
(105,550)
(107,221)
(110,073)
Other
(4,666)
(5,141)
(5,163)
(5,259)
(5,496)
(5,609)
(5,777)
(5,860)
(6,087)
(6,220)
Net cash provided in operating activities
59,224
62,485
82,905
68,414
65,457
65,728
67,795
68,266
71,358
73,797
8,328
48,859
13,339
20,421
8,537
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(11,462)
(26,912)
(30,283)
(31,790)
(34,203)
Purchase of infrastructure, property, plant, equipment
(67,845)
(109,705)
(96,946)
(89,910)
(74,443)
(53,663)
(39,467)
(36,389)
(37,894)
(37,794)
Net cash used in investing activities
(59,517)
(64,846)
(83,607)
(69,489)
(65,907)
(65,125)
(66,379)
(66,672)
(69,684)
(71,997)
Repayments of borrowings
(145)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net cash flow used in Financing Activities
(145)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net increase / (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents
(438)
(2,361)
(702)
(1,075)
(449)
603
1,416
1,594
1,673
1,800
Balance at the beginning of the year
26,220
25,781
23,420
22,718
21,644
21,194
21,797
23,214
24,808
26,481
Balance at the end of the year
25,781
23,420
22,718
21,644
21,194
21,797
23,214
24,808
26,481
28,281
Receipts Rates and annual charges
Payments
Cash flows from investing activities Receipts Sale of investment securities Payments Purchase of investment securities
Cash flows from financing activities Payments
Page 22 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Base Case Balance Sheet 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
25,781
23,420
22,718
21,644
21,194
21,797
23,214
24,808
26,481
28,281
Investments
364,886
347,090
345,319
328,982
322,153
331,322
352,851
377,078
402,510
429,872
Receivables
21,855
22,174
24,368
24,143
24,412
25,067
25,875
26,694
27,558
28,422
Inventories
368
365
376
394
400
413
424
439
445
458
Other
1,568
1,559
1,607
1,681
1,711
1,763
1,810
1,873
1,902
1,953
414,458
394,608
394,387
376,844
369,869
380,361
404,173
430,891
458,897
488,986
Investments
124,960
97,897
86,330
82,246
80,538
82,830
88,213
94,269
100,628
107,468
Infrastructure, property, plant, equipment
1,918,357
1,991,495
2,050,959
2,102,451
2,137,515
2,150,815
2,148,909
2,142,891
2,137,319
2,130,559
Intangible assets
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
Right of use assets
24
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Investments accounted for using the equity method
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
Total non-current assets
2,044,203
2,090,254
2,138,151
2,185,558
2,218,915
2,234,507
2,237,984
2,238,023
2,238,023
2,238,889
Total Assets
2,458,661
2,484,862
2,532,538
2,562,402
2,588,785
2,614,869
2,642,158
2,668,914
2,668,914
2,727,875
30,299
30,505
31,049
31,711
32,110
32,597
33,038
33,620
34,014
34,492
508
513
889
592
519
529
550
562
581
590
Employee benefit provisions
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
Other provisions
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
Total current liabilities
53,642
53,854
54,775
55,138
55,465
55,962
56,424
57,019
57,431
57,918
Employee benefit provisions
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
Other provisions
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
Total non-current liabilities
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
Total Liabilities
57,791
58,003
58,924
59,287
59,614
60,111
60,573
61,168
61,580
62,067
2,400,869
2,426,858
2,473,615
2,503,114
2,529,171
2,554,757
2,581,585
2,607,746
2,636,125
2,665,808
Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets Non-Current Assets
Current Liabilities Payables Contract liabilities
Non-Current Liabilities
Net Assets Bayside Council
Page 23 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
Retained earnings
2,044,623
2,070,612
2,117,369
2,146,868
2,172,925
2,198,511
2,225,339
2,251,500
2,279,879
2,309,562
Revaluation reserves
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
2,400,869
2,426,858
2,473,615
2,503,114
2,529,171
2,554,257
2,581,585
2,607,746
2,636,125
2,665,808
Equity
Total Equity
Base Case Key Performance Indicators 2025-26
2026-27
2027-28
2028-29
2029-30
2030-31
2031-32
2032-33
2033-34
2034-35
Operating Performance Ratio (Benchmark > 0%)
2.87%
3.77%
3.73%
3.40%
3.63%
3.27%
3.35%
2.88%
3.32%
3.61%
Own Source Operating Ratio (Benchmark > 60%)
88.73%
88.88%
82.69%
88.17%
89.74%
89.7%
89.68%
89.73%
89.69%
89.81%
Unrestricted Current Ratio (Benchmark > 1.5x)
4.30x
4.01x
3.86x
2.93x
3.02x
3.07x
3.17x
3.25x
3.30x
3.40x
Debt Service Cover Ratio (Benchmark > 2x)
292.34x
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Asset Renewal Ratio (Benchmark > 100%)
112%
168%
200%
179%
60%
52%
55%
54%
54%
53%
Asset Maintenance Ratio (Benchmark > 100%)
100%
98%
96%
94%
94%
93%
93%
93%
93%
93%
Asset Sustainability Ratios
Page 24 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Scenario 2 – Optimistic Optimistic Income Statement 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
Rates and annual charges
159,624
167,827
175,637
183,102
190,835
198,855
207,110
215,677
224,591
233,889
User fees & charges
16,245
16,671
19,088
21,565
22,104
22,657
23,224
23,804
24,400
25,010
Other revenues
23,519
24,530
25,511
26,404
28,453
29,784
30,827
31,906
33,022
34,178
Grants & contributions - Operating Purposes
11,091
11,368
11,652
11,944
12,242
12,548
12,862
13,183
13,513
13,851
Grants & contributions - capital purposes
17,002
17,013
37,560
20,802
16,484
16,750
17,553
17,944
18,648
18,797
Interest & investment income
21,704
19,082
17,531
17,168
16,348
16,115
16,586
17,655
18,677
19,948
Total income from continuing operations
249,185
256,491
286,979
280,984
286,466
296,710
308,161
320,169
332,851
345,673
Employee benefits & on-costs
96,209
99,094
103,172
106,986
110,196
112,950
115,209
118,666
121,632
124,065
Materials & services
88,505
87,802
90,484
94,808
96,424
99,383
102,055
105,673
107,279
110,173
Depreciation & amortisation
35,676
36,591
37,481
38,418
39,379
40,363
41,372
42,407
43,467
44,554
Other expenses
5,073
5,250
5,408
5,543
5,681
5,824
5,969
6,118
6,271
6,428
Borrowing costs
7
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
225,470
228,738
236,546
245,755
251,680
258,520
264,606
272,864
278,650
285,220
Net operating result from continuing operations
23,715
25,989
46,756
29,500
26,056
25,587
26,828
26,162
28,379
29,683
Net operating result before capital grants and contributions
6,713
10,740
12,873
14,427
18,302
21,440
26,002
29,361
35,554
41,655
Revenue
Expenses
Total expenses from continuing operations
Bayside Council
Page 25 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Optimistic Cash Flow Statement 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
158,948
167,305
175,140
182,627
190,343
198,345
206,585
215,132
224,024
233,297
User fees & charges
16,355
16,600
18,669
21,135
22,011
22,561
23,125
23,704
24,296
24,904
Interest & investment income
21,653
19,366
17,539
17,250
16,292
15,873
16,193
17,202
18,176
19,389
Grants & contributions
27,941
28,373
48,635
33,202
28,837
29,282
30,384
31,107
32,132
32,635
Other
23,371
24,502
25,122
26,614
28,476
29,745
30,783
31,867
32,978
34,142
Employee benefits & on-costs
(96,141)
(99,044)
(103,096)
(106,914)
(110,139)
(112,902)
(115,170)
(118,605)
(121,580)
(124,022)
Materials & services
(88,236)
(87,818)
(90,391)
(94,662)
(96,366)
(99,281)
(101,963)
(105,550)
(107,221)
(110,073)
Other
(4,666)
(5,155)
(5,178)
(5,275)
(5,513)
(5,628)
(5,797)
(5,881)
(6,108)
(6,242)
Net cash provided in operating activities
59,224
64,129
86,439
73,977
73,940
77,995
84,141
88,977
96,697
104,029
8,328
43,297
9,982
15,137
479
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(23,115)
(42,441)
(49,959)
(55,863)
(62,923)
Purchase infrastructure, property, plant, equipment
(67,845)
(109,705)
(96,946)
(89,910)
(74,443)
(53,663)
(39,467)
(36,389)
(37,894)
(37,794)
Net cash used in investing activities
(59,517)
(66,408)
(86,964)
(74,773)
(73,965)
(76,778)
(81,908)
(86,348)
(93,757)
(100,717)
Repayment of Borrowings & Advances
(121)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Repayment of lease liabilities (principal repayments)
(24)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net cash flow used in financing activities
(145)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net increase/(decrease) in cash & cash equivalents
(438)
(2,279)
(525)
(797)
(25)
1,217
2,234
2,629
2,940
3,312
Balance at the beginning of year
26,220
25,781
23,503
22,977
22,181
22,155
23,372
25,606
28,235
31,175
Balance at the end of the year
25,781
23,503
22,977
22,181
22,155
23,372
25,606
28,235
31,175
34,487
Receipts Rates and annual charges
Payments
Cash flows from investing activities Receipts Sale of investment securities Payments Purchase of investment securities
Cash flows from financing activities Payments
Page 26 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Optimistic Balance Sheet 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
25,781
23,503
22,977
22,181
22,155
23,372
25,606
28,235
31,175
34,487
Investments
364,886
348,308
349,254
337,144
336,761
355,254
389,206
429,173
473,863
524,202
Receivables
21,855
22,282
24,608
24,537
25,045
26,035
27,225
28,475
29,823
31,226
Inventories
368
365
376
394
400
413
424
439
445
458
Other
1,568
1,559
1,607
1,681
1,711
1,763
1,810
1,873
1,902
1,953
414,458
396,016
398,821
385,937
386,073
406,836
444,270
488,195
537,209
592,326
Investments
124,960
98,241
87,313
84,286
84,190
88,813
97,302
107,293
118,466
131,050
Infrastructure, property, plant, equipment
1,918,357
1,991,495
2,050,959
2,102,451
2,137,515
2,150,815
2,148,909
2,142,891
2,137,319
2,130,559
Intangible assets
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
Right of use assets
24
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Investments accounted for using the equity method
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
Total non-current assets
2,044,203
2,090,598
2,139,135
2,187,599
2,222,568
2,240,490
2,247,073
2,251,047
2,256,646
2,262,471
Total Assets
2,458,661
2,486,614
2,537,955
2,573,535
2,608,641
2,647,326
2,691,343
2,739,242
2,793,856
2,854,798
30,299
30,494
31,025
31,674
32,066
32,551
32,993
33,574
33,967
34,448
508
513
889
592
519
529
550
562
581
590
Employee benefit provisions
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
Other provisions
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
Total current liabilities
53,642
53,842
54,751
55,102
55,421
55,917
56,378
56,972
57,384
57,874
Employee benefit provisions
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
Other provisions
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
Total non-current liabilities
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
Total Liabilities
57,791
57,991
58,900
59,251
59,570
60,066
60,527
61,121
61,533
62,023
2,400,869
2,428,622
2,479,056
2,514,285
2,549,071
2,587,260
2,630,816
2,678,121
2,732,322
2,792,775
Current Assets Cash & cash equivalents
Total current assets Non-Current Assets
Current Liabilities Payables Contract liabilities
Non-Current Liabilities
Net Assets Bayside Council
Page 27 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
2,044,623
2,072,376
2,122,810
2,158,039
2,192,825
2,231,014
2,274,570
2,321,875
2,376,076
2,436,529
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
2,400,869
2,428,622
2,479,056
2,514,285
2,549,071
2,587,260
2,630,816
2,678,121
2,732,322
2,792,775
Equity Retained Earnings Revaluation Reserves Total Equity
Optimistic Key Performance Indicators 2025-26
2026-27
2027-28
2028-29
2029-30
2030-31
2031-32
2032-33
2033-34
2034-35
Operating Performance Ratio (Benchmark > 0%)
2.87%
4.48%
5.16%
5.54%
6.78%
7.66%
8.95%
9.72%
11.32%
12.74%
Own Source Operating Ratio (Benchmark > 60%)
88.73%
88.93%
82.85%
88.35%
89.97%
90.13%
90.13%
90.28%
90.34%
90.56%
Unrestricted Current Ratio (Benchmark > 1.5x)
4.30x
4.08x
4.04x
3.68x
4.13x
4.74x
5.45x
6.27x
7.26x
Debt Service Cover Ratio (Benchmark > 2x)
292.34x
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Page 28 of 36
3.30x
-
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Scenario 3 - Pessimistic Pessimistic Income Statement 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
Rates and annual charges
159,624
165,496
170,777
175,538
180,383
185,322
190,292
195,359
200,547
205,881
User fees & charges
16,245
16,671
19,088
21,565
22,104
22,656
23,223
23,803
24,398
25,008
Other revenues
23,519
24,295
25,024
25,649
27,415
28,448
29,159
29,888
30,635
31,401
Grants & contributions - Operating Purposes
11,091
11,368
11,652
11,944
12,242
12,548
12,862
13,183
13,513
13,851
Grants & contributions - capital purposes
17,002
17,013
37,560
20,802
16,484
16,750
17,553
17,944
18,648
18,797
Interest & investment income
21,704
19,082
17,531
16,768
15,598
14,915
14,886
15,255
15,677
15,948
Total income from continuing operations
249,185
253,925
281,631
272,265
274,227
280,640
287,975
295,432
303,419
310,887
Employee benefits & on-costs
96,209
100,056
105,159
110,064
114,467
118,473
122,027
126,908
131,350
135,290
Materials & services
88,505
88,235
91,380
96,664
99,303
103,345
107,165
111,995
114,881
119,125
Depreciation & amortisation
35,676
36,591
37,481
38,418
39,379
40,363
41,372
42,407
43,467
44,554
Other expenses
5,073
5,250
5,434
5,597
5,765
5,938
6,116
6,299
6,488
6,683
Borrowing costs
7
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
225,470
230,133
239,454
250,743
258,914
268,119
276,680
287,609
296,186
305,653
Net operating result from continuing operations
23,715
23,792
42,177
21,522
15,313
12,521
11,294
7,823
7,233
5,234
Net operating result before capital grants and contributions
6,713
6,779
4,617
720
(1,171)
(4,229)
(6,258)
(10,121)
(11,415)
(13,564)
Revenue
Expenses
Total expenses from continuing operations
Bayside Council
Page 29 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Pessimistic Cash Flow Statement 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
158,948
165,122
170,441
175,235
180,075
185,008
189,976
195,037
200,217
205,542
User fees & charges
16,355
16,600
18,668
21,135
22,010
22,560
23,124
23,702
24,295
24,902
Interest & investment income
21,653
19,412
17,616
16,969
15,704
14,882
14,752
15,116
15,546
15,822
Grants & contributions
27,941
28,373
48,635
33,202
28,837
29,282
30,384
31,107
32,132
32,635
Other
23,371
24,271
24,639
25,864
27,443
28,413
29,120
29,855
30,597
31,371
Employee benefits & on-costs
(96,141)
(99,989)
(105,065)
(109,973)
(114,390)
(118,403)
(121,965)
(126,823)
(131,272)
(135,221)
Materials & services
(88,236)
(88,237)
(91,270)
(96,486)
(99,211)
(103,207)
(107,034)
(111,831)
(114,780)
(118,980)
Other
(4,666)
(5,113)
(5,155)
(5,263)
(5,525)
(5,667)
(5,864)
(5,976)
(6,237)
(6,404)
Net cash provided in operating activities
59,224
60,439
78,508
60,683
54,944
52,870
52,494
50,188
50,499
49,666
8,328
46,803
17,516
27,766
18,525
753
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(12,376)
(13,109)
(11,975)
(11,278)
Purchase of infrastructure, property, plant, equipment
(67,845)
(109,705)
(96,946)
(89,910)
(74,443)
(53,663)
(39,467)
(36,389)
(37,894)
(37,794)
Net cash used in investing activities
(59,517)
(62,902)
(79,430)
(62,144)
(55,919)
(52,910)
(51,843)
(49,498)
(49,869)
(49,072)
Repayment of Borrowings & Advances
(121)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Repayment of lease liabilities (principal repayments)
(24)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net cash flow used in financing activities
(145)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Net increase-(decrease) in cash & cash equivalents
(438)
(2,463)
(922)
(1,461)
(975)
(40)
651
690
630
594
Balance at the beginning of the year
26,220
25,781
23,318
22,396
20,935
19,960
19,920
20,572
21,261
21,892
Balance at the end of the year
25,781
23,318
22,396
20,935
19,960
19,920
20,572
21,261
21,892
22,485
Receipts Rates and annual charges
Payments
Cash flows from investing activities Receipts Sale of investment securities Payments Purchase of investment securities
Cash flows from financing activities Payments
Page 30 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Pessimistic Balance Sheet 2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
25,781
23,318
22,396
20,935
19,960
19,920
20,572
21,261
21,892
22,485
Investments
364,886
345,574
340,422
318,209
303,389
302,787
312,687
323,175
332,755
341,777
Receivables
21,855
22,062
24,121
23,730
23,860
24,411
25,095
25,771
26,470
27,144
Inventories
368
366
379
401
412
429
445
465
477
495
Other
1,568
1,566
1,622
1,713
1,760
1,831
1,898
1,982
2,033
2,108
414,458
392,886
388,940
364,988
349,382
349,378
360,697
372,654
383,627
394,009
Investments
124,960
97,469
85,105
79,552
75,847
75,697
78,172
80,794
83,189
85,444
Infrastructure, property, plant, equipment
1,918,357
1,991,495
2,050,959
2,102,451
2,137,515
2,150,815
2,148,909
2,142,891
2,137,319
2,130,559
Intangible assets
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
498
Right of use assets
24
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Investments accounted for using the equity method
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
364
Total non-current assets
2,044,203
2,089,826
2,136,927
2,182,865
2,214,225
2,227,373
2,227,943
2,224,547
2,221,369
2,216,865
Total Assets
2,458,661
2,482,713
2,525,867
2,547,853
2,563,606
2,576,751
2,588,640
2,597,201
2,604,996
2,610,874
30,299
30,553
31,154
31,916
32,429
33,042
33,617
34,341
34,885
35,520
508
513
889
592
519
529
550
562
581
590
Employee benefit provisions
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
19,568
Other provisions
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
3,268
Total current liabilities
53,642
53,902
54,880
55,343
55,784
56,408
57,002
57,740
58,302
58,946
Employee benefit provisions
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
1,685
Other provisions
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
2,464
Total non-current liabilities
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
4,149
Total Liabilities
57,791
58,051
59,029
59,492
59,933
60,556
61,151
61,889
62,451
63,095
2,400,869
2,424,662
2,466,839
2,488,361
2,503,674
2,516,195
2,527,489
2,535,312
2,542,545
2,547,779
Current Assets Cash & cash equivalents
Total current assets Non-Current Assets
Current Liabilities Payables Contract liabilities
Non-Current Liabilities
Net Assets Bayside Council
Page 31 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
2025-26 ($’000)
2026-27 ($’000)
2027-28 ($’000)
2028-29 ($’000)
2029-30 ($’000)
2030-31 ($’000)
2031-32 ($’000)
2032-33 ($’000)
2033-34 ($’000)
2034-35 ($’000)
2,044,623
2,068,416
2,110,593
2,132,115
2,147,428
2,159,949
2,171,243
2,179,066
2,186,299
2,191,533
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
356,246
2,400,869
2,424,662
2,466,839
2,488,361
2,503,674
2,516,195
2,527,489
2,535,312
2,542,545
2,547,779
2025-26
2026-27
2027-28
2028-29
2029-30
2030-31
2031-32
2032-33
2033-34
2034-35
Operating Performance Ratio (Benchmark > 0%)
2.87%
2.86%
1.89%
0.29%
-0.45%
-1.60%
-2.31%
-3.65%
-4.01%
-4.64%
Own Source Operating Ratio (Benchmark > 60%)
88.73%
88.82%
82.53%
87.97%
89.52%
89.56%
89.44%
89.46%
89.40%
89.50%
Unrestricted Current Ratio (Benchmark > 1.5x)
4.30x
3.93x
3.62x
2.44x
2.20x
1.87x
1.53x
1.12x
0.62x
0.11x
Debt Service Cover Ratio (Benchmark > 2x)
292.34x
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Equity Retained Earnings Revaluation Reserves Total Equity
Pessimistic Key Performance Indicators
Page 32 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Why we developed the Strategy Commitment to Community Guiding Principles Local government is the third level of government in Australia. It is an elected system of government directly accountable to the local community. Each Council is an independent, statutory body responsible for administering the Local Government area over which it has jurisdiction. Leadership is provided by Council, comprising the elected representatives, or Councillors, who work together to provide good governance for the benefit of the community. The power of Local Government is controlled by Acts of State Parliament such as the Local Government Acts. Councils are concerned with matters close to our homes, such as building regulations and development, local roads and footpaths, parks and playing fields, libraries, local environmental issues, waste disposal, and many community services. These tasks would be difficult for a state government to manage because they are local issues. Councils can deliver services adapted to the needs of the community they serve.
Community Engagement At Bayside, the community is at the heart of everything we do, which is why community engagement is vital to our work and activities. We are dedicated to ensuring that the voices of our residents are heard and that they are kept informed about Council's projects, opportunities, and initiatives. The goal of community engagement is to ensure that the perspectives of community members and stakeholders are not only heard but valued, shaping outcomes that directly impact their lives. Community engagement, also known as public participation, involves actively involving residents in decision making processes and the development of initiatives that affect them. By engaging with the community, Council aims to align its services, solutions, and initiatives with the needs and values of Bayside residents, fostering positive relationships and building trust.
Social Justice Principles As the level of government closest to the community, Councils are dedicated to fostering social cohesion and a sense of belonging for all residents. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to fully participate in society without discrimination. This commitment includes ensuring fair access to resources and services while fostering equitable treatment for everyone, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs We integrate social justice principles into all our planning and decision-making processes, which are: Equity - fairness in decision making, prioritising and allocation of resources particularly for those in need. Access - fair access to services, resources and opportunities to improve quality of life. Participation - the maximum opportunity to genuinely participate in decision making. Rights - equal rights established and promoted for people from diverse linguistic, cultural and religious backgrounds to participate in community life.
Bayside Council
Page 33 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Resilient Cities Principles The City Resilience Framework, developed the Rockefeller Foundation, assesses the strengths and weaknesses of cities within 4 ‘dimensions’ and 12 ‘drivers’. The framework was adopted by metropolitan Sydney and Bayside Council applies this framework to all its medium and long term plans. City resilience is the capacity of people, communities, businesses and systems within a city to survive, adapt and thrive no matter what kinds of chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience. Acute shocks are sudden events that threaten a city and include heatwaves, floods, disease outbreaks and cyberattacks. Chronic stresses weaken the fabric of a city on a day-to-day basis and include rising inequity, housing unaffordability, family violence and inadequate public transport. The 4 dimensions are: Health and Wellbeing - the essential city services that safeguard human health and diverse and secure livelihoods Economy and Society - the social and financial systems that enable urban populations to live peacefully, and act collectively Infrastructure and Environment - the way in which built and natural assets provide critical services and protect residents Leadership and Strategy - effective leadership and management, empowered stakeholders and integrated planning. People, organisations, businesses, communities and cities that survive disasters all show resilient behaviours and decision making. Metropolitan Sydney can learn from these experiences including from significant floods, fires, heatwaves, droughts, infrastructure failures, cyberattacks and a global pandemic. The strategy has the below 5 directions:
Page 34 of 36
Bayside Council
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Good Governance At Bayside we have an adopted Governance Framework that articulates the corporate approach to ‘governance’. It considers the range of governance issues under the 4 main elements: Ethics & Values
Ethics & Values
Manage Risk Decision Making Monitor & review Each issue includes the principles of good governance, as well as the policies and practices of Council to achieve those principles. Good governance is achieved by having efficient and effective decision making processes and systems. The use of appropriate policy and accountability frameworks enable Councils to focus on strategic rather than operational issues.
Manage RisK
Governance Framework
Monitor & Review
Council’s Governance Framework articulates our practices in order to achieve good outcomes and includes reference to our ethics and values (ie Code of Conduct, Internal Reporting, Decision Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest), our approach to Risk Making Management (ie fraud and corruption prevention, internal audit, compliance and privacy), our decision making (ie roles and responsibilities, Code of Meeting Practice, delegated authorities, policies and procedures) and the way Council will monitor and review our business (ie integrated planning and reporting, performance management, complaints handling, registers and access to information). A copy Council’s Governance Framework can be found on Council’s website via this link Bayside Governance Framework.
How Council makes decisions Effective decision making demonstrates to the community and other stakeholders that Council is operating with transparency, probity, and in the best interests of all concerned. Sound decisions withstand scrutiny by regulators, courts, and the media. Decision making occurs at many levels within Council – it is supported by various forums that comprise Councillors, staff, community members and/or independent specialists. Council strives to have effective decision making processes in place through its robust governance framework. There are principally four groupings of meetings: Council meetings Statutory Committees (Local Planning Panel, Audit Risk & Improvement Committee (ARIC), Flood Plain Management and Traffic) Committees (City Planning & Environment, City Services, City Works & Assets, and City Performance) Administrative Committees (Executive and Leadership, Strategic Asset Management Committee, IT Steering Committee)
How you can be involved Attend our meetings in persons and/or watch online via Council’s YouTube Channel - Bayside Council - YouTube. Read the Business Papers (Agendas and Minutes) for the meetings, they are available on Council’s website via this link. Address Council and/or Committee meetings. You can address Council on a report that is on the agenda for that meeting prior to a decision being made by Council. Requests to address Council at Public Forum can be found on Council’s website via this link.
Bayside Council
Page 35 of 36
Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2025-2035
Integrated Planning & Reporting Integrated Planning & Reporting (IP&R) is the framework developed by the NSW State Government to guide Councils in the planning, reporting and delivery of its community’s priorities. IP&R enables Council to allocate resources to projects and activities based on the needs and direction provided by our community, and to ensure these align to the community’s values and vision for Bayside. It is where we Identify, Plan, Fund & Report on services and outcomes for our community. Council also has an important role to play in advocating for, and partnering with, other agencies to achieve local outcomes.
The key elements of the IP&R framework are a suite of documents described below: Community Engagement Strategy Community engagement is at the heart of Local Government. It enables communities to be active participants in shaping their future. It is critical for Councils to open opportunities for the community to be involved in the strategic planning process. This strategy supports the development of all plans, policies, programs and key activities, demonstrates a commitment to genuine and inclusive engagement and is based on social justice principles. Community Strategic Plan Identifies the main priorities, vision and aspirations of our community for the future. It includes the themes, outcomes and strategies Council plans to achieve them. Delivery Program Council’s 4 year commitment to achieving the prioritised strategies and outcomes of the Community Strategic Plan during its term of office. It sets out the key priorities that Council will deliver and how our performance will be measured. All plans, projects, activities, funding, and resource allocations are directly linked to the Delivery Program. It is supported by strategies and plans developed to focus on areas of Bayside’s environment, people and other priorities. Resourcing Strategies To support the Delivery Program, Council is required to develop Resourcing Strategies. The strategies ensure Council has the necessary people, funds and infrastructure available to deliver its commitments. Three interrelated documents make up the strategy: The LongTerm Financial Plan; Workforce Management Strategy and Asset Management Strategy. Supporting Strategies & Plans Council has developed plans, strategies, codes and policies to set the standards and direction for the services and outcomes we deliver. These Supporting Strategies & Plans sit below the Community Strategic Plan in the IP&R hierarchy and reflect its principles, values and objectives. The supporting strategies, in turn, inform the Resourcing Strategy, Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Examples of the key strategies and plans are the Local Strategic Planning Statement; Customer Experience Strategy; Arts & Culture Strategy; Reconciliation Action Plan; Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Information Management & Governance Strategy; Land & Property Strategy; Environment & Resilience Strategies etc. Operational Plans (& budgets) These specify the detailed actions and funding for each activity that will be delivered and reported on annually to achieve the priorities of the Delivery Program. Reporting Council produces 3 main reports under this framework, 6 monthly Operational Plan reports, an Annual Report and at the end of every term of Council, a State of our City Report. Page 36 of 36
Bayside Council
Online Email: council@bayside.nsw.gov.au Website: www.bayside.nsw.gov.au Phone 1300 581 299 or +61 2 9562 1666 Visit our Customer Service Centres Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Rockdale Library, 444-446 Princes Highway, Rockdale Westfield Eastgardens, 152 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens Post Bayside Council PO Box 21 Rockdale NSW 2216