Bellingen Shire Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on a suite of key strategic and financial planning documents, following their endorsement for public exhibition at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 15 April 2026.
The draft documents set out how Council will plan, deliver and resource services and activities across the Shire.
The following documents are now on public exhibition for 28 days:
· Draft updated Our Plan for the Future (including the Operational Plan 2026/27)
· Draft Capital Works Program 2026/27
· Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2026/27–2035/36
· Draft Revenue Policy and Schedule of Fees and Charges 2026/27.
“Our Plan for the Future brings together Council’s long-term vision, four-year program and annual actions into one clear, integrated document,” said Mayor Steve Allan.
“Documents including the Operational Plan, Long Term Financial Plan, Revenue Policy, Schedule of Fees and Charges and the Capital Works Program outline key detail and budgets on the proposed program for Bellingen Shire Council.
“Ultimately, these documents outline what we will deliver for the community, how we will fund it, and how we will continue to plan for a sustainable future for the Bellingen Shire.”
Supporting documents on exhibition provide further detail on how Council’s services and projects will be funded and delivered. This includes the Long Term Financial Plan, which outlines Council’s financial sustainability over time, the Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges, and the Capital Works Program, which identifies planned infrastructure investment across the Shire.
Mayor Allan encouraged residents, businesses and community groups to review the documents and share their feedback.
“Community input is a vital part of our planning process. We want to hear from our community and ensure these plans reflect local priorities and aspirations,” he said.
Submissions are open until midnight on 13 May 2026. To view the documents and make a submission, visit Council’s website: https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/Have-Your-Say/Have-your-say-on-Councils-draft-Strategic-Documents
Following the public exhibition period, submissions received will be reviewed and considered, before revised documents are presented to Council for the June Ordinary Meeting