Draft 2025-26 operational plan and budget for public exhibition and feedback

Norfolk Island Regional Council Administrators were presented with the Draft 2025-26 Operational Plan at the Council meeting held on 17 April 2025.

Lead Administrator, Scott Mason said the draft plan and supporting service statements painted an accurate and detailed picture of NIRC’s financial position, which needed to be considered in light of relevant accounting models for local government.

“Previous budgets have most likely been developed with the goal of an early surplus, which is in line with an organisation in administration over a number of years,” Mr Mason said.

“However, that approach does not fully and correctly represent asset responsibilities for current and future budgets, and I applaud the Acting General Manager and his team for highlighting where asset considerations need to be recognised.”

Using an Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPNR) framework to develop the Operational Plan ensured NIRC considered how their various strategic and management plans interact and inform each other, and to gain maximum benefit by taking a whole-of-council approach.

NIRC’s Financial Administrator, Gary Mottau, noted that the draft operational plan and budget would be unlikely to result in increased rate charges for the community.

“I recognise this budget provides a degree of rate relief and don’t want community to be unnecessarily concerned by the deficit, rather, understand it is an opportunity to focus on solutions.

“This draft budget is a compromise in that it is relief from the steep rises which have historically occurred. The community can expect and rely upon sound decision-making based on good and accurate information. We will strive to more equitably distribute the rating burden while acknowledging that the community cannot and is not expected to fund everything,” Mr Mottau said.

Acting General Manager, Philip Reid, said that while the draft operational plan appeared to indicate a negative position, not uncommon in local government organisations, it actually marked a move to a more open and accurate way of reporting.

“With elections for the Norfolk Island Assembly firmly in mind, it’s important that the new governance organisation can begin operating using the best and most accurate financial information available, and this plan is step in this direction,” Mr Reid said.

For more information about this media release, contact comms@nirc.gov. 2

The community is encouraged to view and read the plan and supporting information during the Public Exhibition period, and to provide Council with written feedback by 4.00pm on Thursday 15 May 2025.

An information display will be hosted in Rawson Hall Supper Room on weekdays from Tuesday 22 April until Thursday 15 May 2025, between the hours of 9am and 3pm. The display will provide summarised details of key service areas to the community, which support the information contained in the Draft 2025-26 Operational Plan and Budget.

The draft 2025-26 Operational Plan and Budget can be accessed on Council’s website under Documents for Public Exhibition at the following link:

https://www.nirc.gov.au/Your-c...

A hard copy is available for inspection at Council’s Customer Care and the Library, and at any business that agrees to participate.

Written submissions must be received by 4.00pm on Thursday 15 May 2025 by either of the following methods:

Email: customercare@nirc.gov.nf

Subject Heading: Draft 2025-26 Operational Plan and Budget

By mail:

Draft 2025-26 Operational Plan and Budget

Acting General Manager

PO Box 95

NORFOLK ISLAND 2899