Council has revealed how it will invest ratepayers’ money over the next year. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
Wollongong City Council has revealed how it plans to spend ratepayers’ money in the next financial year with major projects and everyday operational activities in the pipeline to help meet the needs of the community.
Wollongong residents now have insight into the upcoming priorities of their council, with projects from the construction of highly anticipated services such as community centres to infrastructure maintenance on footpaths and stormwater facilities outlined in the annual delivery program, operational plan and budget.
“It’s a budget that we can hold our head up high that we are delivering the big things we want, the libraries, the seawalls, the skateparks, but also getting on with the footpaths, the active transport, those little things – library books – that are so important to our community,” Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said.
“But we’re also working through some of the strategic pieces like the Illawarra sports and entertainment centre, the BlueScope land transformation project and making sure that we as a city are able to capitalise on that.”
While around $379 million will be spent on continuing operations, more than $172 million is anticipated to be invested back into the community through capital spending in 2026-27 with the construction of the new Southern Suburbs and Helensburgh community centres and libraries as well as infrastructure around West Dapto to cater for the fast growing population and new footpaths and cycleways receiving a vast amount of the allocation.
The plan outlines not only the immediate investment and construction of projects, but also the anticipated execution of longer term initiatives in the coming years.
“This document connects our long-term vision with the practical actions council will deliver,” councillor Linda Campbell said.
“A standout for the south of our city is the continued commitment and delivery of the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library in Warrawong.
“Beyond this project the program reinforces a range of investment in local centres, safer and more accessible public spaces, and improved community facilities across our suburbs.
“These are practical place-based outcomes that directly support wellbeing, connection and local pride.”
In addition to grants or government support, funding of these items is made possible through residents’ rates and charges which make up around $271 million and 60 per cent of council’s revenue stream.
The income received from those rates is soon set to increase by 3.9 per cent, however the direct impact on ratepayers will vary.
But many in the community are ensuring that they get their money’s worth by utilising council’s facilities, services and activations, with figures showing an increase in visitation at the Botanic Gardens, Crown Street Mall and council’s heated pools as well as higher participation rates at the library learning programs.
“These numbers are backed up by strong growth across our cultural assets as more and more people are engaging with the Wollongong Art Gallery, the IPAC, and the Town Hall,” councillor Kit Docker said.
With the community contributing such a substantial portion to make operations possible, residents are encouraged to have their say on the proposed projects and spending.
“We don’t just pull money out of thin air; money has to come from careful planning and the debate that we have around this table,” councillor Ann Martin said.
“Really look at those things that are important to you and give us feedback, ideas, where we’ve missed, where we’ve hit the target, and where else you’d like us to go.”
“For those items that didn’t make it, we will still push for them, this is a never-ending story,” councillor Dan Hayes said.
“We get to do it all again in a year’s time, so for those who didn’t get something on there, put your comments in, but this is not the final chapter of this as well.”
Feedback on the Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan can be made until 19 May. More information is available on the Our Wollongong website.
