Blacktown City Council Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2025/26

Blacktown City Council Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2025/26

1. Introduction

  • Title: Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2025/26

  • Date Adopted: 23 June 2025

  • Author: Aunty Edna Watson

2. Translation Information

  • English: Interpreter services can be arranged through Blacktown City Council.

    • Contact: 02 5300 6000 or visit Council’s Administration Centre at 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown.

  • Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Chinese, Urdu, Tagalog, Gujarati, Tamil, Punjabi: Similar information on how to reach interpreter services, outlining contact options.

3. Table of Contents

  • Message from the Mayor

  • Message from the CEO

  • Your Councillors (2024-2028)

  • How to read this plan

  • Vision and Community Strategic Plan

  • Delivering the Community Strategic Plan

  • Budget Summary

  • Financial Challenges and our Response

  • Strategic Priorities:

    • People

    • Places

    • Transformation

    • Leadership

  • Transformational Projects

  • Our Services

  • Organisational Structure

  • Service Plans

  • Service Review and Improvement

  • Planning for our Future

  • Blacktown City Profile

  • Integrated Planning and Reporting

  • Community Engagement

  • Measuring Performance

  • The Quadruple Bottom Line

  • Council Performance Indicators

  • Financials

  • Capital Works Program

  • Statement of Revenue Policy

  • Statement of Charges

  • Featured Artwork

  • Glossary

  • Help Shape Our Future

4. Messages

4.1 Message from the Mayor

  • Introduction to the Delivery Program and Operational Plan

  • Emphasis on responsibility and opportunity due to population growth

  • Key initiatives:

    • Funding essential infrastructure and services

    • Climate action advancements

    • Major projects worth nearly $700 million

    • Encouraging community involvement

4.2 Message from the Chief Executive Officer

  • Commitment to sustainable growth and service delivery

  • Proposed balanced budget of $767 million for 2025/26

  • Critical infrastructure funding allocations:

    • $123 million for roads and pathways

    • $60 million for open space

    • $89 million for waste services

    • $32 million for children's early learning

    • $66 million for community and recreational facilities

  • Encourages public involvement in budget review.

5. Your Councillors (2024-2028)

Ward Listings

  • Ward 1: Dr Moninder Singh, Jess Diaz, Allan Green, Julie Griffiths, Mohit Kumar, Damien Atkins

  • Ward 2: Susai Benjamin, Carol Israel, Pradeep Kumar Pathi

  • Ward 3: Bob Fitzgerald, Dorothy Del Villar, Peter Camilleri, Brad Bunting, Talia Amituanai, Jugandeep Singh

6. How to Read This Plan

  • Six Sections:

    • Vision and Community Strategic Plan

    • Transformational Projects

    • Our Services

    • Planning for Our Future

    • Measuring Performance

    • Financials

7. Vision and Community Strategic Plan

Vision Statement

  • Vision: Blacktown City, one community building a brighter future.

  • Mission: One team delivering quality services for a brighter future.

Strategic Priorities

  1. People: Safe and supportive communities.

    • Strategies to improve social outcomes.

  2. Places: Liveable city environment.

  3. Transformation: Civic places and projects for growth.

  4. Leadership: Sustainable Council delivering quality services.

  • Future population projections and priority strategies for 2050.

8. Delivering the Community Strategic Plan

  • Commitment to delivering various objectives and reviewing service delivery.

9. Budget Summary

Overview

  • Projected total budget for 2025-2029: $3.5 billion.

  • Operational and capital expenditures for 2025/26:

    • Operational Expenditure: $523 million

    • Capital Expenditure: $244 million

Funding Summary

  • Includes allocations for various projects outlined in detailed financial sections.

10. Financial Challenges and Our Response

  • Discussion of significant operational revenue shortfalls and the need for sustainable funding.

    • Challenges include reduced government grants, increasing costs, and cybersecurity risks.

  • Strategies to manage growth and infrastructure needs.

11. Strategic Priorities

Detailed Strategic Priorities

  • Strategic Priority – People: Focus on community wellbeing and crime prevention.

  • Strategic Priority – Places: Environmental sustainability initiatives and integrated infrastructure.

  • Strategic Priority – Transformation: Focus on civic projects to boost economy and livability.

  • Strategic Priority – Leadership: Emphasizing governance and resource management.

12. Transformational Projects

Key Projects for 2025/26

  • Funding strategies to support various projects, including development of cultural and community centers, aquatic facilities, and heritage considerations.

13. Our Services

Overview of Services Provided

  • List of departments and their responsibilities, including:

    • Emergency Services

    • Libraries

    • Childcare

    • Various community services.

14. Organisational Structure

  • Diagram of organizational hierarchy and relevant departments.

15. Service Plans

Summary of Service Commitments

  • Includes plans for improving services across different functional areas.

16. Service Review and Improvement

  • Commitment to evaluating and enhancing service delivery.

  • Specific outlined review schedules and goals over the next 5 years.

17. Planning for Our Future

Community profile and planning framework

  • Overview of the city’s demographics, services, and community needs assessments.

18. Measuring Performance

  • Outline strategies for monitoring progress and performance indicators for Council activities.

19. The Quadruple Bottom Line

  • Explanation of focusing on social, environmental, economic, and governance outcomes in planning.

20. Council Performance Indicators

  • Detailed list of metrics used to evaluate progress and effectiveness in Council services.

21. Financials

Summary of Financial Allocations

  • Breakdown of operational income and expenditure across mature and emerging sectors.

22. Capital Works Program

  • Description of planned infrastructure improvements and associated funding sources.

23. Statement of Revenue Policy

  • Comprehensive breakdown of revenue sources, fees, charging practices, and the rationale behind financial management strategies.

24. Featured Artwork

  • Recognition of contributions from local artists representing cultural diversity and community engagement.

25. Glossary

  • Definitions of key terms and phrases relevant to the Council's programs and policies.

26. Help Shape Our Future

Community Involvement

  • Encouragement for community feedback via writing, direct engagement, and suggested contact details for feedback mechanisms.