Community Strategic Plan & Financial Plans to go on Public Exhibition

At the Council Meeting on Wednesday 16 April, recommendations will be put to Council that the draft 2025-2045 Community Strategic Plan (CSP), and the suite of Budget Documents be placed on Public Exhibition for 28 days. 

The CSP is a key element of Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) Framework. It identifies the community’s main priorities and aspirations for the future and strategies for achieving these goals. The draft CSP has been developed with crucial community input. From August 2024 – February 2025, Council asked the community to share their thoughts on the future of the Bathurst Region and over 2,800 residents participated, contributing close to 6,000 suggestions.  

Additionally proposed for public exhibition are Council's Annual Operating Plan (2025/26), Detailed Budget (2025/26) and Long-term Financial Plan (2025-2035).  

This suite of documents is being recommended for a 28-day period of public exhibition, during which the community will have the capacity to view and submit any comments for consideration.  

Mayor Cr Robert Taylor thanked the community for their valuable input in the CSP, which has also helped inform our budget. 

“This budget has been prepared with regard to Council's tight financial circumstances. Council has already made some very tough decisions in light of our cost pressures, including cancelling the 2025 Winter Festival, however further actions are being considered to return our unrestricted cash balance to a sustainable figure.  

“The community will have a chance to provide feedback, and I encourage residents to take the opportunity to review these once Council places them on exhibition,” said Mayor Taylor.  

Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer  

P: 02 6333 6179 M: 0448 685 340 E: genevieve.green@bathurst.nsw.gov.au