Future Ready Cabonne program advances service and financial reviews

Cabonne Council has endorsed the next steps for its Future Ready Cabonne program, including community engagement, financial sustainability work and reviews of council services across the region.

The program will examine how council delivers services and manages its finances. Council did not specify which services will be reviewed, how savings or changes will be measured, or when recommendations will return for a decision.

The work is expected to inform future decisions about council services, costs and long-term finances. The endorsed update covers the current community engagement approach, financial sustainability activities and service review work.

The program was considered alongside new arrangements for residents who have overdue accounts or difficulty paying rates and charges. Council adopted the Debt Recovery & Management Policy and the Rates & Charges Hardship Policy at the same meeting.

Council also authorised unspent expenditure to be included in the 2026/27 budget. Staff said major grant-funded projects were planned across multiple years, including the $21 million Peak Hill Road Upgrade contract and a $20 million Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements package.

The Peak Hill Road project is planned for delivery over 18 to 24 months. Staff said both projects remained on track.

Future Ready Cabonne’s next steps are community engagement, financial sustainability work and service reviews. Any specific change to a service, cost or long-term financial decision will require further council action.