2018-19 Leeton Shire Council Annual Report and Financial Statements endorsed

28 Nov 2019 2:55 PM -

Council endorsed its Annual Report and Annual Financial Statements for the 2018/19 Financial Year at its November Ordinary Council meeting after a presentation by Council’s external auditor, Crowe Horwath on behalf of the NSW Auditor General.

Ms Danielle Mackenzie delivered the Audit Report noting the financials had been lodged in time and all audit opinions expressed were unmodified.

Council’s General Manager stated that Council is also required to lodge an Annual Report with the Minister for Local Government by 30 November each year. 

“A Council’s Annual Report is one of the key points of accountability between Council and its community. The requirement to report to the community is a key element in the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework that sits within the Local Government Act.”

Leeton Shire Mayor Paul Maytom applauded the dedication of staff and councillors who have a genuine heart for the community and the drive and commitment to deliver high quality results for our ratepayers and residents.

“The year saw unprecedented access to funding from the NSW and Federal Governments, with 12 successful grant applications approved to the value of $7,377,600, and the start of a very ambitious capital works program. With the current drought impacting our farmers and businesses, this investment in additional projects does make a small but important contribution to maintaining our economic resilience.”

“Despite the drought, we are still seeing some very encouraging growth in Leeton. Council sold all 14 of the remaining blocks of land in Vance Estate and commenced with plans to secure industrial land to the north for expansion purposes.”

Other highlights for the 2018/19 Financial Year included:

·         The successful negotiation of the purchase of the Water Conservation & Irrigation Commission Building from the NSW State Government for $1, for use as a thriving community cultural space in the future.

·         Leeton No.1 Oval kiosk construction commenced in the latter part of this financial year, following a successful grant application by the Leeton Greenies Rugby League Football Club under the NSW Government Club Grants Category 3 Fund. This project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019/early 2020.

·         Engagement with key stakeholders on improving freight transport productivity,            particularly at Wumbulgal, has been a major focus and is set to continue.
An initial masterplan for the WRConnect Freight Intermodal at Wumbulgal
was launched in April 2019 with support from all four neighbouring Councils.

·         The Leeton Swimming Pool Redevelopment Project is now shovel-ready and a project start date of March 2020 is anticipated.

·         Work on the redevelopment of the Leeton Showground commenced with the demolition of the grandstand.

·         A grant of $3.9 million from the NSW Government was announced for the Leeton Roxy re-development project. This project is set to commence in mid-2020.

·         The Golf Course secured funding via the Leeton Golf Course Benevolent Fund to install a new irrigation system which will positively impact both the operational costs and condition of the facility. The Golf Club clubhouse development is progressing with design works and a business case is being prepared.

·         All scheduled road rehabilitation projects were completed, with a total of 4.4 kilometres of road being upgraded in the areas of Contour Road, Euroley Road, Colinroobie Road and Almond Road. Young Road was commenced, with developer contributions agreed upon, and is due to be completed in the second quarter of the 2019-2020 year.

To download a copy of the 2018-19 Leeton Shire Council Annual Report please CLICK HERE

To download a copy of the 2018-19 Leeton Shire Council Annual Financial Statements please CLICK HERE