We have had operating plans in the past, but this year we have focused on identifying key projects for delivery, and allocated funding in the budget so that work on the projects can begin.

We know the community expects council to deliver higher quality services in managing our infrastructure, customer service and communicating with people in our Shire.

Residents and business owners are also looking for council to be involved in achieving improvements to the local economy and lifestyle. Council is focused on its core business of improving services across the Shire and has been investing in roads infrastructure more than ever before, and this strong investment will continue.

This is part of the long-term plan we have in place to make roads across our Shire better and safer over time. This year we are also investing in other projects for the community.

Upgrading playgrounds in Riverside Park and Horseshoe Bay will really improve facilities for families, as will an upgrade of the pontoon at Kempsey and replacing the aged toilet block at Crescent Head.

Council will carry out a review of the Shire’s sporting fields to see where we need to bring them up to standards set out in our plan. Councillors, along with the community, want to have a customer responsive and efficient organisation. In the coming year we plan to have in place systems and processes to allow the organisation to track and respond to what the community is asking for.

As part of this process we will be looking closely at everything we do, setting standards, and seeing how we can improve our council’s delivery of services.

Council will continue to look for options to stimulate economic growth through agriculture, as well as continuing to support tourism.

While the agriculture sector is already being supported by federal and state governments, council needs to take advantage of the opportunities this can present. This will lead to increased employment on farms and rural support businesses.

As we did to establish and grow tourism, we need to coordinate and help develop this industry. These are just a few of the areas council is targeting for improvement.

The operating plan sets out all of the operations and projects for 2015-16 and we are keen to get your feedback.

The plan is on public exhibition until June 18 and is available on our website or by calling into our Customer Service Centre.

With a combined effort, we can make a real difference in delivering a better future for the Macleay.