IN excess of $1 million more than expected was spent on water by residents in the Dubbo local government area in 2014-15.
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Dubbo City Council's 2014-15 Operational Plan Quarterly Review shows consumption charges from council's water supply function were $1,113,285 greater than the original budgeted estimate.
"The summer of 2014-15 saw a significant reduction in rainfall and higher temperatures when compared to previous years, resulting in significantly higher usage by consumers," general manager Mark Riley said.
"The additional revenue has been placed in Restricted Asset to assist in future shortfalls in water consumption levels."
In July, council voted to increase the water usage charge by 3.2 per cent for 2015-16. Initially, a 7 per cent increase was going to be implemented, but the number was reduced following a council review.
The year before, water charges were increased by 6 per cent.
The operating income of the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets also exceeded the 2014-15 original budget for yard and licences fees by more than $1 million.
Mr Riley said the additional income was due to cattle numbers being some 120,500 greater than expected and sheep numbers being 146,500 more than the anticipated figure.
The 2014-15 Operational Plan Quarterly Review also shows significant funding will be given to the Dubbo branch of the library and for lighting replacement poles after savings were identified by council's Fleet Services and the Environmental Services division.
About $600,000 will go towards upgrades of the Dubbo branch of Macquarie Regional Library, while $150,000 will be spent on decorative lighting replacement poles.
If additional funding is found within the 2015-16 financial year, $60,000 has been prioritised as a contribution to the Dubbo Turf Club road works.
"Fleet Services have contributed $805,484 to General Fund savings for 2014-15 which was mainly due to operating expenditure savings in plant/vehicle running expenses of $741,163 and additional plant hire income of $56,208," Mr Riley said.
Savings of $280,261 were made within the Environmental Services Division. Of that, $217,489 was from Building and Services, mainly due to additional income from development and construction certificate application and compliance inspection fees, while $86,668 was made from Ranger Services, mostly due to additional income from animal registrations and animal shelter fees and operational expenditure savings.
Councillor Allan Smith said the Macquarie Street lighting was an issue that had been raised at council at numerous occasions.
"We can't have this argument about Reignite the CBD and let it deteriorate to the stage where the lighting is not effective," he said.