Parramatta City Council is weathering the financial storm with a break-even budget (ie Management Plan) that went on public exhibition in late May 2009. We adopted the draft budget which commits $127 million to services in the City with a further $40.2 million dedicated to infrastructure project.

The draft budget was launched to the local community, business and residents at an Expo on Thursday, 21 May 2009 with feedback sought before Council adopts the final draft budget.

"In the current economic downturn it has been especially challenging to draft a Management Plan that continues to deliver the services that the community expects, whilst remaining fiscally responsible to our ratepayers," said Lord Mayor Tony Issa.

Highlights of the services budget for the 2009/10 plan includes a commitment of $7 million to the maintenance of roads and footpaths; $13.6 million to parks and recreational facilities; $13.7 million to community services, health and safety; $17.6 million to waste management and street cleaning; and $7.2 million to arts and community events.

"This Management Plan is a budget which produces a relatively small net operating surplus of $119,000," said CEO Dr Rob Lang. "Getting to this result required close scrutiny of all areas of expenditure to ensure that we are addressing our priorities in an efficient and effective manner."

Consultation is an integral part of the Plan's adoption process and Council welcomes feedback about the Plan which will be on display until 11 June.

"With the election of a new Council in September, it’s been opportune for Councillors and staff to review where we want to take Parramatta into the future. This draft Management Plan sets out the direction that we believe will best serve our community," said Cr Issa.

"We are proposing an expenditure of over $40 million on a range of specific projects throughout the City. In particular, following our upgrades in Harris Park and Guildford, we will continue the successful Neighbourhood Improvement Program with $1.4 million to be spent in Granville in this third and biggest year of investment. $1.8 million will be spent in City Centre streetscape improvements, together with works in Northmead, Epping and Westmead," he said.

In a sign that Council is determined to progress the critically important Civic Place development, $1.2 million is allocated for the cost in project management to oversee the design and stakeholder consultation phase.

"To deliver a fiscally sound plan, rates income will increase by 3.5% in line with the State Government’s rate pegging limit," Cr Issa said.

"We are still able to commit to our diverse priority areas with $500,000 focussing on economic development to support local business; $1.2 million on major cultural events including the Riverbeats, the Sydney Festival, Australia Day, Lunar New Year, New Year’s Eve and other arts programs; and $177,250 to the enhancement of graffiti management operating costs plus an additional $100,000 to purchase capital equipment," he said.

"There is also significant investment going into cycleway projects with $2.1 million allocated to build and improve the network across the LGA. $700,000 is dedicated to water quality, litter and waterways restoration and $355,000 into a tree-planting initiative for our city streets. We have also committed $250,000 to allow the winter operation of Parramatta War Memorial Pool," he said.

$4 million has also been earmarked for the acquisition of high priority properties in the Parramatta City Centre so as to improve pedestrian and vehicular connections. Expenditure on footpaths generally is a highlight of the budget.

"Obtaining the best possible return on Council’s assets is an essential part of our strategy and we are continuing to improve our asset management processes," said Dr Lang.

"Council has expressed a wish to reduce our borrowing and in this coming financial year we’re reducing overall debt by $2.7 million. With total rates income pegged by the State Government, a vital element of our long term strategy is to develop alternative revenue sources and reduce our dependence on rates revenue," he said.