Our strategies and plans

Overview

In June 2017, Council adopted a new set of strategic plans to guide its strategic direction and long-term and short-term planning. All NSW councils develop these strategic documents using a model called the Integrated Planning & Reporting Framework.

These plans are updated each time a new Council is elected. 

The implementation of the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework in 2009 revolutionised the way Councils in NSW plan, document, and report on their future plans. In the years since, many councils have refined their processes for creating and reviewing these plans.

The IP&R Framework is community-driven and centres on their aspirations for a decade or more. It comprises integrated plans that outline a vision, goals, and strategic actions to achieve them. The framework includes a reporting structure to update council and the community on progress, with regular reviews to ensure continued relevance of the goals and actions.

Graphic showing Council's organisational framework.

Community Strategic Plan

The Imagine Lismore Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032 details the community’s 10-year aspirations for Lismore and sets the scene for what the community wishes for its future.

Imagine Lismore Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032(PDF, 20MB)

Community Engagement Strategy

The Community Engagement Strategy and Community Participation Plan outline Council's principles for community engagement and notifications for planning processes.

The Community Engagement Strategy establishes guidelines for staff and the community on how Council will communicate with and involve the community in Council decision-making.

The Community Participation Plan focuses specifically on planning and development, outlining the methods Council will use to inform community members about proposed or ongoing developments, re-zonings, and other planning matters.

These documents are mandatory for Council under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 and Local Government Act 1993.

Community Engagement Strategy(PDF, 7MB)

Community Participation Plan(PDF, 373KB)

Resourcing Strategy

Council's Resourcing Strategy outlines the resources – time, money, assets and people – required to achieve the strategies and objectives in our corporate plans.

The Resourcing Strategy consists of three components:

  • Long Term Financial Planning
  • Asset Management Planning
  • Workforce Management Planning

Long-term financial planning

Council has a Long Term Financial Plan (10 years) that sets out the roadmap to long-term financial sustainability. Financial sustainability is broadly defined as Council’s financial ability to deliver acceptable, affordable and ongoing services to its community.

2023-2033 Long Term Financial Plan(PDF, 1MB)

Asset management planning

The Council manages and owns assets valued at about $1.7 billion, including roads, footpaths, bridges, parks, ovals, buildings, stormwater drainage, and operational and community land.

The goal of asset management is to understand the condition and future costs for maintenance and replacement of these assets, in order to budget effectively and provide necessary services and facilities for current and future generations.

The Strategic Asset Management Plan and Asset Management Plans provide information on the condition, lifespan, and future costs of these assets.

Along with Asset Management Plans, Council has a number of documents that supplement these.

Cycleway Plan 2011(PDF, 6MB)

Pedestrian Acces and Mobility Plan 2011(PDF, 4MB)

Strategic Business Plan for Water and Wastewater(PDF, 6MB)

Workforce management planning

Council's Workforce Management Plan is a document that outlines what people Council needs now and into the future to continue delivering services to the community.

Workforce Management Plan 2023-2026(PDF, 10MB)

Delivery Program and Operational Plan

The four-year Delivery Program is Council’s strategic plan for achieving the community’s vision while the Operational Plan is a sub-set of the Delivery Program that includes specific activities that will be undertaken during the 2023-2024 financial year as well as the accompanying budget. Council’s Operational Plan and Delivery Program are combined and presented as one document.

Delivery Program 2023-2027 and Operational Plan 2023-2024(PDF, 14MB)

Appendices:

2023-2024 Budget by Program(PDF, 3MB)

2023-2024 Revenue Policy & Borrowings(PDF, 2MB)

2023-2024 Fees & Charges(PDF, 3MB)

Progress reports

Council produces regular Progress Reports to update the community on progress in achieving the strategies outlined in the Delivery Program.

Our annual reports

Council has completed its Annual Report for 2022/23.

The report gives an overview of what we achieved during the 2022/23 financial year. The report includes highlights and snapshots of community projects as well as infographics and statistics to summarise complex information.

Copies of our current and previous Annual Reports are available to view or download below.