funding ยท Shoalhaven City Council
Shoalhaven puts draft four-year plan, budget and fees on public exhibition
Shoalhaven City Council has endorsed its draft Delivery Program 2025-29, 2026/27 Operational Plan, budget and fees for 28 days of public exhibition, while also approving a 3.1 per cent general rates increase for 2026/27.
Shoalhaven City Council has endorsed its Draft Delivery Program 2025-29, Draft 2026/27 Operational Plan, Draft Budget and Draft Fees and Charges for 28 days of public exhibition, according to minutes from its extra ordinary meeting on 30 April.
The resolution means residents across Shoalhaven will be able to review the proposed budget, services, projects and fees before council makes final decisions. Council is due to receive a report on community feedback in June 2026.
In the same resolution, councillors approved the maximum general rates rate-peg increase allowed by the Minister under Section 506 of the Local Government Act 1993, lifting total rates levied by 3.1 per cent for 2026/27.
Council also resolved to keep its 2025/26 rating structure approach, using both base and ad valorem amounts. The minutes state the 3.1 per cent increase will be applied across council's rating structure, with specific treatment for the Business Nowra CBD sub-category and the Business Commercial/Industrial sub-category.
As part of the budget measures, council approved the release of the remaining balances of the Strategic Projects Reserve, Industrial Land Reserve and Financial Sustainability Review Reserve to unrestricted General Fund cash from 1 July 2026.
Council also approved paying down the unrestricted General Fund portions of loan 1241 and loan 1242 using unrestricted cash on the due dates of the first minimum payments in FY2026/27.
The minutes state interest charges will continue to be waived for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship, with assistance available under council's Hardship Policy.
Key facts from the minutes
- Shoalhaven City Council endorsed the Draft Delivery Program 2025-29, Draft 2026/27 Operational Plan, Draft Budget and Draft Fees and Charges for 28 days of public exhibition.
- Council approved the maximum 2026/27 general rates rate-peg increase allowed by the Minister, increasing total rates levied by 3.1 per cent.
- Council resolved to maintain the 2025/26 rating structure using both base and ad valorem amounts.
- The remaining balances of the Strategic Projects Reserve, Industrial Land Reserve and Financial Sustainability Review Reserve will be released to unrestricted General Fund cash from 1 July 2026.
- Council approved paying down the unrestricted General Fund portions of loan 1241 and loan 1242 using unrestricted cash in FY2026/27.
- Interest charges will continue to be waived for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship under council's Hardship Policy.
- Council is to receive a report on community feedback in June 2026.
Why it matters
- The decisions set up Shoalhaven's draft budget, fees, services and projects for public scrutiny, and confirm a 3.1 per cent rates increase for 2026/27 before final adoption.
Source and method
Source: Shoalhaven City Council extra ordinary meeting minutes, 30 April 2026.