Planning for the future

Our strategic and corporate planning documents set the direction for how we deliver services, manage resources and support the long-term wellbeing of our community. Together, these plans guide Council's decision-making, ensuring we meet our legislative obligations, maintain strong governance and accountability, and invest in the services, infrastructure and initiatives that matter most to our residents.

By aligning our work with the goals and priorities identified in the Council Plan, we provide a clear framework for meeting local needs, responding to future challenges and opportunities, and building a sustainable, resilient and connected community for current and future generations.

Community Plans & Reports

The Council Plan is our shared plan for the future, integrating our Strategic Community Plan, Corporate Business Plan and Public Health Plan into a single live, or “rolling”, document that guides our priorities and actions over its lifespan.

This plan captures the work we are delivering together now, as well as initiatives we will progress in the near future, as ideas are shaped into meaningful and lasting outcomes for our community.

We use the Council Plan to:

  • Align programs and annual budgets with the delivery of projects and activities that achieve the Plan’s objectives and community priorities
  • Strengthen relationships with the community and key partners
  • Enable effective advocacy and well‑positioned grant applications
  • Ensure strategies, plans and related documents clearly give effect to our vision and priorities
  • Maintain accountability and build trust through regular monitoring and transparent reporting

Asset Management & Financial Informing Plans

Effective management of local government assets is essential to the sustainable delivery of services that meet community needs. Asset Management Plans ensure assets are created, maintained, renewed and replaced at appropriate intervals to support agreed service levels. They forecast what work is required, when it should occur, what it will cost, and how it will be funded.

These plans are supported by the following Financial Informing Plans:

  • Reserve Fund Plan – outlines how funds are accumulated and used across Council’s reserves to support future projects, asset replacement, upgrades and statutory commitments, reducing reliance on borrowing.
  • Borrowings Plan – outlines how Council uses debt responsibly, ensuring borrowings remain within appropriate limits and form part of a long‑term financial strategy.
  • Rating Objectives Strategy – explains how rates are set and structured, ensuring they remain fair, strategic and aligned with community needs.

Important: The focus of the Strategy is different to that of the Annual Budget – it does not set out expected levels of rate revenue increases/decreases over outgoing financial years. Instead, it focuses on the types of rates to be charged and how the required amounts are fairly and equitably distributed amongst Council’s ratepayers.

Corporate & Financial Planning

About the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP):

The LTFP provides a 10‑year outlook on how Council will fund its services, infrastructure and priorities. It considers projected income, expenditure, capital works and financial risks to support informed decision‑making and long‑term sustainability. The plan is reviewed annually to respond to changing community needs, economic conditions and emerging risks.

About the Workforce Plan:

The Workforce Plan outlines how the Shire will build and sustain a capable workforce to deliver its priorities, including the strategic initiatives listed throughout the Council Plan. It provides a coordinated approach to resourcing services and projects, identifies current and future workforce needs, and guides recruitment, development and retention strategies to address gaps and manage risks.

About the Risk Management Framework:

The Risk Management Framework comprises a Risk Management Policy and a Risk Management Plan. It guides Council and staff in identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring risks, supporting informed decision making and helping to achieve Council’s objectives while minimising potential harm or loss.

See Annual Reports

See previous Council Plan progress reports

Click here to view all documents