This community consultation has now closed.
Bellingen Shire Council is inviting community feedback on a suite of important strategic and financial planning documents, following endorsement for public exhibition of the draft documents at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 15 April 2026.
These documents guide how Council will plan, deliver and resource services, infrastructure and initiatives for our community, both in the year ahead and over the longer term.
Documents on exhibition
The following documents are now on public exhibition for 28 days:
The exhibition period will close on midnight on 13 May 2026.
A Councillor workshop was held on 31 March 2026 to support a deeper understanding of the Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting documents, including the Long Term Financial Plan, Revenue Policy, and Fees and Charges.
A recording of the workshop is available on Council’s website, and community members are encouraged to view it for further insight into some of the challenges currently being faced:
Councillor Workshop Recordings
About Our Plan for the Future
Our Plan for the Future is Council’s integrated strategic planning document, bringing together the:
- Community Strategic Plan (10-year vision)
- Delivery Program (4-year actions)
- Operational Plan (annual actions and budget)
This integrated approach provides a clear and coordinated roadmap for the future of the Bellingen Shire, aligning with the principles of the Local Government Act 1993 (Section 8C).
The Operational Plan aspect of the existing document has been updated to reflect actions for the 2026/27 period.
Supporting plans and resourcing
To support delivery of Our Plan for the Future, Council has also prepared a range of detailed documents that outline how projects and services will be funded and resourced, including:
- Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) – outlining Council’s financial sustainability over time
- Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges – detailing proposed rates, fees and charges
- Capital Works Program – identifying planned infrastructure investment.
To learn more about Council’s key documents, please visit this section of our website.
Have your say
Submissions on the draft documents are now closed.