Mayor's Column: Strategic Plans

Published on 30 June 2025

Bellingen Shire Council's Mayor Cr. Steve Allan

Bellingen Shire Council’s newly adopted Our Plan for the Future 2025–2035 represents much more than a strategic document - it’s a practical roadmap that brings community aspirations to life. This plan is the result of extensive community engagement, including over 1,600 responses to the Community Scorecard, over 300 responses to our Community Engagement Survey, targeted engagement activities across the Shire, and valuable input from young people, businesses, Elders and community groups.

In simple terms, Our Plan for the Future connects community priorities directly to real projects on the ground. Take the Urunga Precinct Upgrades as a perfect example. Work is now underway to replace the Urunga Boardwalk, and the Urunga CBD revitalisation project is in the early planning stages. These projects are not happening in isolation. It’s the result of listening to what the community told us matters; access to quality public spaces, enhancement of natural areas, and investment that supports tourism, recreation and wellbeing. Because these priorities were identified in our strategic planning process, Council was able to plan, seek funding, and deliver a project that responds directly to community needs.

Similarly, the Connell Park Precinct Development in Bellingen demonstrates how the plan’s focus areas, such as creating connected, liveable spaces, are translating into upgrades that serve our community interests, support youth recreation, and improve sporting facilities. And the Sewering Coastal Villages Program is another great example: a significant investment into long-term infrastructure that will protect our environment, improve water quality, and support sustainable growth in these communities.

Strategic planning can sound abstract, but for our Shire, it means clear priorities, realistic funding models, and staged delivery that ensures community aspirations are steadily achieved. With $95.6 million allocated across essential services, infrastructure renewal, community, culture and environmental protection in the 2025–26 budget, every dollar reflects our community’s voice.

Our shared vision is to build a connected, sustainable and creative Shire. And it’s through these collaborative efforts, informed by community participation, that we’re seeing that vision become reality.