With the help of Cessnock City Council, local businesses are making continuous improvements in financial sustainability and are ensuring the best value for money for rate payers. Council have helped achieve this with several projects progressing well under the Financial Sustainability Initiative.
The long running initiative is aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Council’s operations through identifying projects that focus on four key objectives; being to reduce costs, increase revenues, improve value-for-money and strengthen Council’s governance framework.
Since the start of the program in 2015 Council has been able to make some huge savings and ensure local businesses thrive as a result.
Council’s Director of Works and Infrastructure, Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr said this initiative has brought about significant changes in the way Cessnock City Council operates, allowing Council to achieve more within existing budget allocations.
“It’s about continuously examining the way we do things and looking for potential opportunities to bring about positive change. The results have been outstanding,” Justin said.
“Through this initiative Council reduced its annual NSW State Waste Levy liability at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre by $2.4 million in the 2019 financial year. Council identified an opportunity to make operational changes that would increase recycling and divert material from landfill. This lowered the amount of waste going into landfill, all of which attracts the Waste Levy.
“This project has been a huge success, not only has it lowered the NSW State Waste Levy cost, it has lowered the local impact on our environment and afforded valuable employment opportunities.”
Another highlight includes changing the way Cessnock’s plant and fleet is operated.
After implementing findings following a review of an existing process Council realised cost savings in the order of $310,000 per annum in relation to the hiring of heavy plant and equipment.
This project has also provided two new full-time positions within the community.
The implementation of these projects is currently being managed and monitored through Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework.
IMAGE | Cessnock Waste Management Centre Team
