The release of Hurstville City Council’s draft budget for 2006/2007 shows Council is on track to substantially reduce its budget deficit.
“The deficit shows a dramatic decrease from a high of $5.5 million as at 30 June, 2004 to a proposed deficit of $2.4 million,” said Hurstville Mayor, Councillor Vince Badalati. “This 57 per cent reduction within two years demonstrates an extraordinary effort by Council and shows how important prudent management of Council’s finances is to the organisation’s bottom line.”
Mayor Badalati said Council is expecting a further improvement.
“We believe that the current forecast of a $2.1 million deficit will be substantially reduced by the end of the current financial year,” he said. “Council has been operating deficits since the early 1990s. The current Council is working hard to eliminate these deficits.”
Over the last six years, Hurstville Council has spent significant amounts of money creating new facilities and protecting the local environment. Council has extended its Aquatic Leisure Centre, which now attracts 700,000 users per year; built a new indoor sports arena, library, regional museum and art gallery, youth centre and early childhood care centre. It has also constructed huge stormwater management projects in several areas.
“All of this shows that while remaining financially strong, Council is delivering to the community,” said Mayor Badalati. “However, at the same time, we need to now consolidate our position and continue to reduce the deficit further. Council is committed to continuing to reduce the deficit to move back into a surplus situation. To achieve this, both Councillors and staff are continually reviewing all programs, and looking at innovative ways to deliver services to achieve ongoing savings.
“It is pleasing to see everyone working together to achieve such a rapid and sustained decline in deficit.”
For further information contact Jeffrey Tripp, Hurstville’s Director Administration, on (02) 9330 6222.
