Temora Shire Council has released its revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2026/27–2036/37, outlining a revised approach to addressing the Shire’s long-term financial challenges following community consultation on proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) scenarios. The revised scenario proposes a substantially lower rate increase than the three scenarios originally presented for consultation, alongside additional savings, service reductions and revenue measures designed to improve council’s long-term financial sustainability. A total of 659 unique participants took part in formal consultation between July and August 2026. Feedback highlighted concerns about affordability, particularly for rural ratepayers, the size and permanent nature of the proposed increases, council expenditure and opportunities to improve efficiency. The feedback also showed that opposition to the original SRV scenarios did not necessarily mean opposition to council taking action to address its financial challenges. Some respondents indicated they may be open to a smaller, more gradual or differently structured increase, particularly if council could demonstrate further cost reductions and service changes. Temora Shire Council mayor Rick Firman said council had considered the feedback as it worked to develop the revised plan,” Cr Firman said. “We heard the concerns raised by sections of our Shire community during consultation, particularly about affordability and the scale of the original SRV scenarios. “Councillors and staff have continued to examine where further savings can be made and how services can be delivered differently to reduce the proposed increase, while addressing our long-term financial challenges. “Council knows that doing nothing is not a realistic option.” A revised approach The revised scenario proposes a permanent cumulative rate increase of 46.80 per cent over three years, comprising total increases of 15 per cent in 2027/28, 15 per cent in 2028/29 and 11per cent in 2029/30. These figures include the forecast rate peg for each year, as well as the proposed SRV component above the rate peg. The proposed increase would be permanent, meaning it would become part of council’s ongoing rate base rather than applying for a limited period. The revised proposal also includes an average of around $1.6 million per year in further savings and service reductions, double the savings previously proposed. While the revised scenario would involve a lower rate increase than the original SRV scenarios, it would also require greater changes to Council services, programs and operations. Proposed changes being considered by council include: • Community facilities and programs: Reduced opening hours at the Library, Bundawarrah Centre and Visitor Information Centre; fewer library, youth, arts and cultural programs; and reduced tourism and promotional activities. • Community support and funding: Ending or reducing Council funding and administrative support for some committees, community organisations, events, scholarships, environmental programs and other initiatives. Some activities may continue independently or through volunteers. • Roads and maintenance: Further reductions in road maintenance funding, including a $200,000 annual reduction, and a $50,000 annual reduction in street tree maintenance. • Facilities and service delivery: Changes to the operation of Ariah Park Pool, programs at the Temora Recreation Centre and the proposed return of the Junee Road Caravan Park lease to the NSW Government. • Customer service and Council operations: Reduced customer service opening hours and operational, administrative and engineering capacity, potentially resulting in longer response and processing times. • Fees and other arrangements: Increases to selected fees and charges, changes towards market-based rents for medical accommodation, and the removal of Council funding for the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre from August 2030. The changes would also affect the priorities and projects in Council’s broader planning documents, including its Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Cr Firman said reducing the proposed rate increase would require difficult decisions about the services and support Council could continue to provide. “These proposed changes will have real impacts on our Temora shire community, our staff and the organisations that work alongside Council. “We understand that, and we need to carefully consider those impacts as we make decisions about council’s future.” “Our challenge is to balance the services and support our shire community values with what council can afford, while continuing to manage essential infrastructure and meet our long-term responsibilities. Councillors and Staff have worked hard on addressing this serious situation and I know we will land on the right place,” Cr Firman said. What happens next? The revised Long-Term Financial Plan outlines a pathway towards improved financial sustainability, forecasting an average annual operating deficit of approximately $21,000 in the General Fund over the ten-year forecast period. This compares to a forecast average deficit of approximately $2.5m should no action be taken (the Base Case). However, the forecast provides limited capacity to respond to unexpected costs, such as natural disasters or additional compliance requirements, without further service reductions or revenue increases. At its meeting on 19 November, council will consider two separate decisions: • Whether to endorse the revised Long-Term Financial Plan. This decision relates to Council’s financial planning and does not commit Council to submitting an SRV application. • Whether to submit an SRV application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). If council resolves to submit an application, staff would prepare the application for submission to IPART by February 2027, including all feedback received through community consultation. IPART would then conduct its own community consultation in March 2027 and independently assess the application, before releasing its determination in around June 2027. IPART could approve the application in full, partially approve it, such as approving a smaller or temporary increase, or decide not to approve it. If approved, in full or in part, the increase would take effect from 1 July 2027. A decision by council to submit an application does not guarantee approval by IPART. Any proposed service changes would be subject to further council decisions and consultation with staff, stakeholders and the community before being finalised. The changes would also be considered through the development of the 2027/28 Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Any changes are proposed to commence from 1 July 2027 and would be introduced over multiple financial years. The revised Long-Term Financial Plan is available on Council’s Financial Sustainability Webpage https://www.temora.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Financial-Sustainability and forms part of the business paper for the 10 November 2026 Assets and Operations Committee meeting. Council understands that conversations about rate increases can be difficult and that any increase may place additional pressure on households and businesses already managing cost-of-living pressures. Support measures, including Council’s Financial Hardship Policy and the Pensioner Concession Rebate, are available to assist eligible ratepayers. Any one of council’s team is available to discuss individual circumstances confidentially and help ratepayers understand what support may be available. Council will continue to keep the Temora Shire community informed as the process progresses, community feedback is considered and further decisions are made. “The overwhelming majority of our shire community back our council. “Together, we will secure Temora Shire Council’s strong future,” Cr Firman concluded. Temora Shire Council
