2026/27 National Competition Policy Reform

Frank Wilkie20:07

Thank you, Councillor Phillips. Any discussion? All in favour? Carried. That's carried. Motion carried. 21, that pursuant to section 120 to 122 of Local Government Regulation 2012, Council will grant concessions to all ratepayers meeting the eligibility criteria set out in council's 26/27 Revenue Statement and council's general rate and charges concessions policy. Move for a seconder, please. Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. I'll second that discussion. All in favour? Aye. Yes. You. Thank you. That's carried. And we come to the final motion, 22, that pursuant to sections 120 to 122 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council will grant concessions in the form of interest-free payment periods for up to two years to ratepayers that meet the eligibility criteria set out in council's general rates and charges hardship financial policy. I'm happy to move that. May we have a seconder, please? Thank you, Councillor Wegener. Any discussion? All in favour? Aye. We that's carried. We come now to come item 4.3, which is national competition policy reform. Thank you, Acting Director Gatt.

Summary of the report, please. Thank you, Through the Chair. Each year, Council is required to decide whether to apply national competition policy, often referred NCP, reform to its identified business activities. NCP reform provides greater transparency over council's businesses and assists with removing any anti-competitive conduct and ensures the best allocation of council's limited resources. Council has adopted NCP reforms with respect to waste management and holiday parks business activities since de-amalgamation in 2014. Council has also undertaken a review of the nature of other services and activities it provides to the public, including community facilities, aquatic leisure, events, arts and respite centres and cemeteries. Whilst these operations generate fees and operate on a partial user-based system, they do not have the necessary full cost recovery and profit-making focus, and Council is not seeking to apply NCP principles to these specific businesses. Accordingly, the recommendations are to continue to apply the full cost pricing reform options to the waste management business activity for the 26-27 financial year in accordance with section 44 of the Local Government Act 2009, as these operations would be considered a significant business activity and exceed the set expenditure thresholds, to continue to apply the code of competitive conduct to the holiday parks business activity for the 26-27 financial year in accordance with section 47 of the Local Government Act 2009.

The levying of rates and charges, national competition policy, council's estimated financial position as at the 30th of June 2026 and council's 26/27 budget and 26/27 to 2035/36 long-term financial forecast. As required under the Local Government Regulation, Council must annually review and adopt its investment policy, its debt policy, revenue policy and procurement policy. These statutory policies ensure Council maintains sound financial governance and transparency in line with legislative requirements. While the remainder of the policy policies outlined in the report not specifically required under legislation, they do represent best practice and support strong internal controls, effective decision-making and long-term sustainability. The majority of the policies reviewed remain materially unchanged, aside from the minor renaming, grammatical, formatting and disclosure improvements. Key updates include: the debt policy is being updated to reflect the proposed $10.8 million of borrowings for waste management capital infrastructure works in 26-27. Over the 10-year forecast period, Council plan to borrow $40 million. The procurement policy has been amended to include an additional section for procurement approvals where procurement falls outside of council's policy thresholds but remains within legislative thresholds. The management of restricted cash policy has been amended to reflect the intent of the Local Government Regulation 2012 in terms of the classification of externally and internally restricted cash. Together these policies and others the foundation of council's financial management framework reinforcing our commitment to prudent stewardship of public resources and continued service to our community.