Supporting our community today and into the future
Financial sustainability is about making sure Council can continue to deliver essential services, maintain infrastructure, and plan for the future—without placing an unfair burden on current or future generations.
At Temora Shire Council, we are committed to being transparent about our financial position and helping our community understand the challenges and choices we face.
Early Insights Survey
As Council continues planning for the future, we have launched an Early Insights Survey — an opportunity for the community to share their thoughts and help inform future conversations around Council’s long-term financial sustainability.
The survey aims to better understand community awareness, priorities and perspectives around Council services, infrastructure and financial sustainability.
Council is currently exploring a range of long-term financial sustainability options, one of which could include a potential Special Rate Variation (SRV). However, no decisions have been made.
This survey is not about deciding on an SRV. It is about gathering early insights from the community to help inform future decision-making and understand what matters most to our residents.
You can watch our explanatory videos below or complete the survey by clicking here.
What is Financial Sustainability?
Financial sustainability means balancing what we spend, what we earn, and what we need to maintain and improve over time.
For Council, this involves:
Delivering essential services
We provide a wide range of services that support everyday life, including:
Maintaining infrastructure
Council is responsible for a large network of assets such as:
These assets must be maintained and eventually replaced.
Planning for the future
We plan ahead to ensure we can meet:
Living within our means
We aim to ensure that:
-
Ongoing costs are affordable
-
Debt is managed responsibly
-
Future generations are not left with financial shortfalls
A financially sustainable Council can:
- Maintain essential services such as roads, parks, libraries, and community facilities.
- Invest in infrastructure that supports growth and improves liveability.
- Plan ahead with confidence, knowing that resources will be available when needed.
- Minimise financial shocks from unexpected events such as natural disasters or economic change.
Financial sustainability underpins Council’s ability to deliver on Our Plan for the Future and ensures that Temora Shire remains a strong, vibrant, and resilient community.
Why Financial Sustainability Matters
Financial sustainability is about ensuring Council has the resources to deliver the services, facilities and infrastructure our community relies on — not just today, but well into the future.
Like households and businesses, Council faces ongoing cost pressures such as rising prices, asset maintenance, and community expectations for quality services. Managing these responsibly means balancing income and expenditure, investing wisely, and finding efficiencies wherever possible.
Council has been on an extensive, long-term improvement journey already, which has included developing a Financial Sustainability Strategy, and remains committed to continuing with saving initiatives as part of a whole-of-organisation improvement plan.
Read Council's Organisational Efficiency and Productivity Gains Improvement Plan here(PDF, 2MB).
How Council is Funded?
Council uses a mix of income sources to deliver services and maintain infrastructure:
Rates
Rates are Council’s main and most stable source of income. They fund a large portion of everyday services and infrastructure.
Grants and funding
We receive funding from State and Federal Governments for specific projects and services. These are often tied to particular programs and cannot be used freely.
Fees and charges
These include user fees such as:
-
Waste services
-
Facility hire
-
Regulatory services
Other income
This includes interest, investments, and other minor revenue sources.
Council's Current Financial Position
Temora Shire Council carefully monitors its financial performance to support long-term sustainability and responsible decision-making.
Like many regional councils across New South Wales, Council is facing increasing financial pressure from:
- rising costs of materials, labour and services
- ageing infrastructure requiring ongoing renewal and maintenance
- limited growth in revenue
- increasing costs shifting from other levels of government
Council’s draft 2026/27 Budget is currently forecasting an operating deficit of approximately $2.7 million, highlighting the ongoing financial challenges facing local government.
While Council has already implemented a significant number of efficiency improvements and savings initiatives, ongoing work is required to ensure Council can continue delivering essential services and infrastructure for the community over the long term.
Council remains committed to careful financial management, long-term planning, and working closely with the community as future options are explored.
What Council is Doing?
Council is actively working to manage these challenges through:
Long-term financial planning
We use a Long-Term Financial Plan to guide decisions and ensure sustainability over time.
Asset management planning
We plan for the maintenance and replacement of infrastructure to avoid unexpected costs.
Efficiency improvements
We regularly review how services are delivered to ensure value for money.
Responsible decision-making
We carefully balance service levels, affordability, and long-term outcomes.
Learn more
You can learn more about Council’s financial position through the following documents:
FAQ's:
What does financial sustainability mean for Council?
It means Council can continue to deliver services and maintain infrastructure now and into the future, without running into financial difficulties or passing costs onto future generations.
Why is Council talking about Financial Sustainability now?
Like many regional councils across New South Wales, Temora Shire Council is facing increasing financial pressure from rising costs, ageing infrastructure, and limited revenue growth.
Council’s draft 2026/27 Budget is currently forecasting an operating deficit of approximately $2.7 million, which highlights the need for ongoing long-term financial planning and improvement work.
What is an operating deficit?
An operating deficit occurs when Council’s ongoing operating expenses are greater than its operating income for the year.
This does not mean Council is “going broke”, but it does indicate that current income levels may not be sufficient to sustainably fund services, infrastructure and future needs over time.
Has Council already made savings and improvements?
Yes.
Council has already implemented dozens of initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen financial sustainability.
Through Council’s Organisational Efficiency and Productivity Gains Improvement Plan, approximately $1.011 million in annual savings have already been identified and incorporated into Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan.
Council also continues to identify additional improvement opportunities across the organisation.
What do my rates pay for?
Rates help fund essential services such as roads, waste collection, parks, community facilities, and general Council operations.
Can Council increase rates whenever it wants?
No. Rate increases are capped each year unless Council applies for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) and receives approval from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
An SRV may be considered if additional funding is needed to maintain services, renew infrastructure, or improve financial sustainability.
What is a Special Rate Variation (SRV)?
A Special Rate Variation (SRV) is a process that allows councils to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to increase rates above the annual rate peg set by the NSW Government.
Councils may consider an SRV when additional revenue is needed to support long-term financial sustainability, infrastructure renewal, or service delivery.
Has Council decided to apply for an SRV?
No.
Council is currently exploring a range of long-term financial sustainability options, one of which could include a potential SRV. No decisions have been made.
Council is committed to engaging with the community before any future decisions are considered.
Is the Early Insights Survey a vote on an SRV?
No.
The Early Insights Survey is designed to help Council better understand community awareness, priorities and perspectives around Council services, infrastructure and financial sustainability.
The survey is intended to gather early community insights to help inform future conversations and decision-making.
Why can't Council simply cut services instead?
Council continually reviews services, operations and expenditure to identify efficiencies and savings opportunities.
However, many Council services and infrastructure are essential to the daily functioning, safety and liveability of the community. Significant reductions to services can also impact community wellbeing, asset condition, and long-term costs.
Council’s approach is focused on balancing financial sustainability with maintaining essential services for the community.
How is Council funded?
Council receives income from a range of sources including:
- rates
- grants and funding
- fees and charges
- other income sources
Rates make up around 15% of Council's income and help fund many everyday services and infrastructure across the shire.
How can I stay informed or provide feedback?
Council is committed to keeping the community informed throughout this process.
You can:
- complete the Early Insights Survey
- attend community information sessions and drop-in sessions
- visit Council’s website for updates and information
- contact Council directly with questions or feedback
To get in touch:
Community input will help inform future planning and decision-making.