Roper Gulf Regional Council has completed its Budget Plan for 2014 – 2015, its largest budget in the five years since the Local Government was formed in 2008. The 2014 -2015 Budget and Regional Plan were approved by Council at its recent meeting in 25 of June.
Mayor Tony Jack is up beat about the budget,
“Our budget is sound and sustainable and reflects the growth in our area. We have a good cash flow and a very sound financial future”, Mayor Tony Jack said.
“Even in this time of fiscal restraint as being dictated by both the Northern Territory and Australian Governments there is strong confidence in Roper Gulf Regional Council’s ability to deliver services in the region in a very sustainable manner.
The change of annual agency funding to five yearly demonstrates the confidence that Government has in our ability to implement and achieve our budget and plans. We have won a number of big contracts including two of the largest RJCP contracts in the Northern Territory and the some of the few NT Government Housing Maintenance contracts held by Local Government.
This reflects confidence in the Council’s ability to achieve its goals sustainably.
Like all Local Government in the Northern Territory we are very dependent on funding from the Government and with the current consolidation of business we are constrained in some of our programs. These factors are outside our control. It has meant we have had to exercise extra financial responsibility in our planning for growth.
The Australian Government Financial Assistance Grants are being locked in for the next three years and with the impact of a tough Federal Governments budget this will restrain some of our programs and areas of operation. The Council is never the less confident that our budget strengthens our sustainability and allows us to continuously improve service our residents.
We are now into our sixth year, we have money in the bank, secure funding, sound management of our finances and have implemented nearly all of the recommendations of the Deloitte sustainability report. I am confident about the future of our wonderful region.” Mayor Jack said.
The Roper Gulf Regional Council’s Regional Plan and Budget Plan for 2014-2015 are available on the Roper Gulf Regional Council Website.
For further details please direct your inquiries to Michael Berto, CEO Roper Gulf Regional Council on 08 8972 9000.
ENDS