WSC Financial Sustainability Session

Written By EVA

As part of the EVA AGM on 20 July 2026, representatives of Wingecarribee Shire Council and Councillors were invited to discuss the status of the financial position of the WSC and the challenges being faced. 

Residents, through their rates bill are aware there is a rates increase this year. 

There were two main speakers, the Deputy Mayor Erin Foley and Shelley Jones - Director, Corporate Strategy and Resourcing.

A summary of the key messages:

  • We have nearly $4Bn in assets, all requiring maintenance and upkeep. 

  • WSC has limited decision making capability on rate setting, they can recommend, but a separate body called IPART, make the call on what the rates will be for all of the councils in NSW. 

    • The WSC can apply to IPART for a general rate increase ( called a PEG) and if additional moneys are required ( typically of a capital nature) WSC can apply for an SRV ( special rates variation) as well as ask for grants. 

  • The “ money” challenges are of three types:

    • Operating expenses, wage rises, general inflation …” keeping the lights on”

    • Capital expenditure, new roads, significant repairs, ..” replacing the roof” 

    • Working capital … think of this as an overdraft limit (Not bank loans)

  • Research has been done by an independent organisation, AEC,  which highlights funding challenges out into the future. 

  • Essentially what appears to have been happening over the past 8 to 10 years, remembering WSC was in administration for 4 years;

    • Rate increases were at or below inflation

    • Capital works were delayed 

    • Monies flowing from the tax take to local bodies has halved.

  • WSC, as well as 18 other Councils in NSW, find themselves in the position of having to:

    • Get into the nitty gritty of the detail about the financials 

    • Understand more fully what the priorities are 

    • Ration and program expenditures to mirror income 

  • The WSC presented two scenarios, which if you are interested you can view online at the Future Funding Stronger Shire Community Engagement Presentation.

    • One is a minimalist approach .. just focus on the operating matters .. resulting in annual rates increases of 4% approx. 

    • Two is grapple with the capital expenditure matters (well  over $50M in capital raised through rates) .. resulting in annual rate increases if over 11% for the next 3 years. 

A Q&A session highlighted the need to look under every rock for savings and make the WSC as lean and efficient as it possibly can be without reducing services. 

We heard from Councillors Rachel Russell and Sara Moylan, who both made salient points about the strategy of the Council, essentially how the Council is structured (cost structure, employee roles and responsibilities, work streams and focus), which opens the door for a strategic review, given the key messages we heard about, i.e. whether the WSC is aligned and “match fit”, which could give rise to a third rates rise scenario.

Representatives were accompanied by Councillor James Farrell and Councillor David Kent.

All in all a typically lively EVA session. Standby, more to come.

Hal Linstrom 
Treasurer, EVA

EVA https://www.exetervillage.org.au