Community Invited to Have Their Say on Council’s Long-Term Plans

Published on 22 April 2025

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At its April Ordinary Meeting, Bellingen Shire Council endorsed the public exhibition of a draft suite of Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents that will guide how Council plans, funds, and delivers services over the next four years. 

These documents – which will be on public exhibition for 28 days – form a unified roadmap for Council’s decision-making and service delivery, aligning community priorities with financial realities and legislative requirements. 

The centrepiece of the framework is Our Plan for the Future 2025–2035 – an updated, integrated document that reflects input from more than 1600 community members. This document replaces our Community Vision 2035, which was reviewed by CATALYSE ® Pty Ltd, an independent research and strategic planning company, who conducted a series of workshops and community engagement activities.  It outlines a 10-year vision and identifies strategic priorities across five key community themes: 

  • Resilient Economy 

  • Community Wellbeing 

  • Places for People 

  • Our Living Environment 

  • Civic Leadership 

This plan includes clear operational actions for the next year and strategic commitments over the coming four years, ensuring continuity and progress toward long-term community goals. 

The IP&R framework also connects other key strategies including financial management and community engagement as part of this process. Together, these documents ensure Council’s work is strategic, transparent, and focused on outcomes that matter most to the community. 

Serving as the financial foundation for these plans, the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) sets out income and expenditure forecasts, key financial risks, and scenarios—such as continuation or cessation of Special Rate Variations. The plan provides a sustainable framework to fund essential infrastructure and services, including roads, bridges, water and sewer systems like the Sewering Coastal Villages project. 

This Revenue Policy & Schedule of Fees and Charges provides clarity on how Council applies rates and charges for services including water, sewer, waste, and facility hire. With updated pricing methodologies and a transparent approach, the policy ensures ratepayers understand how their contributions support community services and infrastructure. 

Finally, Council’s revised Community Engagement Strategy now incorporates the Community Participation Plan and outlines how Council will continue to make planning and engagement more inclusive and accessible. The strategy focuses on reaching underrepresented groups—especially youth—using storytelling, creative engagement methods, and a commitment to keeping community voices central in every decision. 

“These documents form the backbone of our long-term strategy,” said Mayor Cr. Steve Allan. “They ensure we’re not only responding to current needs, but also planning responsibly for the future. Everything we do—from budgets to community engagement—is grounded in this framework.” 

All documents are now on public exhibition until 5pm Friday 23 May, offering a vital opportunity for residents to review Council’s strategic direction, see how previous community feedback has shaped plans, and provide input before the documents are finalised.

“This isn’t just about reviewing documents—it’s about shaping the future of our Shire,” said Mayor Cr Steve Allan. “We want every resident to have their say. These are your plans, your priorities, and your services—we can’t do this without you.” 

To view the documents and provide feedback, visit Council’s website https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Have-Your-Say, or access hard copies at Bellingen Shire Libraries and the Customer Service Centre at 33 Hyde Street, Bellingen.

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