At today's Lismore City Council May meeting, Lismore's draft 10-year Community Strategic Plan (2025 to 2035) will be discussed and put on public display if the staff's recommendation is adopted.

Four other supporting documents will also be discussed and put on display: the draft Delivery Program, draft Operation Plan, draft Long Term Financial Plan, and the Community Engagement Strategy 2025, which includes the Community Participation Plan.

Once completed, this will bring Council's Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) program up to date for the first time in a decade. The Community Strategic Plan (CSP) dates back to 2013, when it was developed. Since then, it has been adopted for each new council term because of the effects of natural disasters in 2017 and 2022.

Through the community input of 1,678 people, who told Council about their priorities, aspirations for the future, and guided the development of a clear vision for Lismore, four key pillars have been developed. They are:

1. Place - Plan sustainable growth to ensure liveable communities and a vibrant regional city
2. Environment - Value, protect and enhance local biodiversity, natural landscapes and waterways and strengthen resilience to natural hazards
3. Community - Foster safe, healthy and inclusive communities for all ages, cultures and abilities
4. Prosperity - Support the growth of prosperous and vibrant communities 5. Leadership - Ensure effective governance, advocacy, engagement and partnerships with a focus on long-term financial sustainability

This has led to a Vision for Lismore that reads:

Lismore, the heart of the Northern Rivers

We envision a vibrant community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, supported by strong economic foundations for meaningful employment, growth and wealth creation in a thriving economy - all while celebrating our culture, fostering the arts, promoting sports and protecting our natural environment.

The CSP is the driving document, supported by the other documents. The diagram below outlines the IP&R Framework, which delivers a clear path forward.

The main focus of Council, since the 2021 elections, has been to get Council's finances in order. The budget has only seen red ink for as long as anyone can remember, and the asset renewal and maintenance ratio has been a continued thorn in Council's side. Although the 2022 big flood has helped that cause, as flood-affected assets will be rebuilt using government funding.

The Operating Performance Ratio and the Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio are two key benchmarks that need to change for Lismore City Council to get back in the black consistently.

Over the next five years, the Operating Result before capital grants and contributions shows an improvement in position from a $10.9 million loss to a $4.2 million loss. It is still a loss; however, a huge oil tanker is slow to turn around, but it can be done.

We will be paying the maximum rate peg for rates in the 2025/26 financial year of 3.9%. This is set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

The $75.00 Waste Levy will stay as our landfill continues to be transported to Ipswich in Queensland, following substantive damage as a result of the 2022 big flood.

Sewarge charges will increase 3.9% and water will increase 5%.

The Long Term Financial Plan shows Lismore City Council breaking even in 2034/35, after an $11 million loss in 2025/26. The warning here is that a lot can happen in a decade, including more natural disasters, so this will be a flexible document.

You will have 28 days after the documents go on display to read and understand Council's vision and plans to ensure they reflect community expectations and desires for our future.

The Lismore City Council May meeting starts at 10 o'clock this morning.