Residents have been invited to have their say on Lithgow City Council's draft operational plan before May 27, which details how the proposed rate rise would be spent on shire infrastructure.
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The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will announce whether Lithgow City Council has been successful in its application for a continuation of the existing 4.77 per cent rate variation and another 4.23 per cent rate rise for the 2019-2020 financial year on Monday, May 13.
The plan includes a total capital works program of $21.3 million, with large-scale investment in roads ($4.15 million), waste ($3,697,000), wastewater ($3,976,501) and water infrastructure ($2,463,983).
There will be no increase in sewer or water charges, according to the documents released.
$3 million has been allocated towards the development of the Blackmans Flat Lithgow Resource Recovery Centre, which will replace the current tip facility.
Works on Cook Street Plaza will continue, according to the plan, with a further $150,000 to be on shade for the area.
Council will continue to invest in tourism initiatives, including $120,000 on Halloween (which $40,000 to come from sponsorship), $30,000 for LithGlow, $10,000 on the festivities to mark 150 years of rail, $8000 on Australia Day and $20,000 for Christmas in Lithgow. Tourism signage has been allocated $50,000.
$1.97 million will be invested in smart water meters, with $500,000 budgeted for renewal works to water and sewerage mains.
Large scale sewerage projects are on the cards, with $1.5m for the Lithgow sewerage treatment plant and $2m for Cullen Bullen's sewerage (which has been paid for through grant funding. Lake Lyell's septic upgrade will cost $708,889.
A further $16,000 has been earmarked for cultural signage and $12,500 for street art.
Painting, book purchases and refurbishment of the library, including a glass balustrade and airconditioning for the mezzanine level, will see an investment of $300,000 (some of which is budgeted to come from grant funding).
The Union Theatre dressing room upgrade, Lithgow City Council's administration centre improvements, a new toilet block for Rydal and the creation of a plan for Kremer Park's grandstand are all covered in the budget.
New sound and lighting for the Union Theatre and a replacement toilet for Pioneer Park will depend on the determination of IPART.
A sum of $600,000 has been set aside (with an anticipated $300,000 in grants) for the Farmers Creek Masterplan. Grant funding will also be sought to build an accessible fishing platform at Lake Wallace to allow for the area to become wheelchair accessible.
Lithgow, Portland and Capertee's cemeteries will see a combined investment of $72,000.
To have a say on the draft operational plan, you can see it online at http://www.haveyoursay.lithgow.com. Copies are available for viewing at the council administration centre on Mort Street, Lithgow, and Lithgow, Wallerawang and Portland libraries.
A community information stand will be in Cook Street Plaza on Tuesday, May 14, between 11.30am and 2.30pm to answer questions (in inclement weather, it will be at the council chambers).
Submissions close at midnight on Monday, May 27.
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