The 2015/16 Draft Operational Plan and Budget, proposes an increase in rates of $49.33.

Residential urban rates are currently $1039.44 and are set to increase by an average of 2.4 per cent to $1088.77 in 2015-16.

Sewerage, drainage, waste collection and water access charges will rise by $45.47, from $1288.71 to $1334.18.

Based on an average water consumption of 380 kilolitres, water usage charges will increase by $22.80.

Residents could pay $725.80 for 380 kilolitres of water, compared to a current cost of $703.

Dubbo councillor John Walkom said the rate rises were important.

“There’s minor increases. It’s important we have these increases so we can achieve the milestones,” he said.

“We can’t spend $10 million on rural roads if we don’t have the income to spend it. That’s really, really important.”

The budget outlines $32.4 million which will be spent on the road network in the next four years, including $10.2 million for rural road capital works.

“If we’re going to get somebody who is going to complain we’re going to get one about how our roads aren’t up to standard. With a commitment of $32.4 million that’s certainly a feather in our cap,” Cr Walkom said.

Water Supply Services will be another big spend for Dubbo City Council.

The draft budget dedicates $32.5 million to be spent for major augmentation and asset renewal works, $14.4 million of which will be spent in 2015-16, including the construction of the Eumungerie Water Supply Scheme.

“The achievements that this budget for 2015-16 presents as a council is outstanding and in some ways extremely excellent,” Cr Walkom said.

“I’d like to note that the Percy Allan report which was done by council some time ago identified a backlog of renewal works to the value of $25.5 million at that point in time. 

“Today it now stands at $8.08 million. that’s a $17.413 million reduction of backlogged works that this council is now facing.

Cr Walkom said it’s a very positive result for council and places it in a better position to be ‘Fit for the Future’.

He also praised the $6.8 million proposed for a regional waste organic processing plant, subject to community consultation about organic waste services.

“It’s important because we want to make the city sustainable and environmental sustainability is such an important thing now,” Cr Walkom said.

“Personally, I think we could be investing more money in that and make that even better but at least it’s a start. It certainly helps our sustainability.”

It’s forecast there will be a surplus of $15 million in 2015-16 with the surplus expected to remain for the following three years.

The draft 2015-16 budget will be on public exhibition for 28 days from Friday, May 8.