Cowra council has started the year in the black, headed towards a surplus of nearly five million dollars for the end of the financial year.
The Quarterly Budget Review Statement, presented at an information session held on Monday 17 February 2025, showed an estimated $3,798,000 surplus for the end of the financial year in June, with additional surpluses in waste and water expenses.
The review covered the period from October to December 2024.
“Managing costs and expenditure successfully seems to be happening. So we're in a strong position,” Cr Tony Horton said.
The council sewage fund was expected to leave a $852,000 deficit in the council budget by end of financial year on June 30, due to an increase in employee costs, along with maintenance and contracts.
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“It's showing a positive improvement, [and] staff are monitoring the budget and and keep an eye on expenditure,” Cr Peter Wright said.
The water fund, previously expected to run at a $69,000 deficit, was expected to instead flip, providing a $1,336,000 surplus by June 30.
“The biggest headache with water is we've got an ageing infrastructure that's going to require millions of dollars to maintain and bring up to date within the next 25 years, and you've got a lot of fixed costs,” Cr Wright said.
“We've got reasonably cheap water, you could say, although a lot of people think it's very dear”
Acknowledging the work of council staff in putting together the report, councillor Peter Wright thanked both staff and residents for using resources mindfully, and contributing to the surplus.
“We will also be able to do the other feel good things that the community wants to be part of.
“Working with the First Nations people, the ability to be accessible [in] all our council and parks and buildings and so forth, to have an area where people can play sport, have an area where people can develop their their music and art skills,” he said.
“I just congratulate our staff doing work through it all. Thank you.”
