The operational plan guides the day-to-day operations of council, including a detailed outline of what council plans to achieve over the next 12 months. 

It includes specific criteria against which council’s performance is measured.

This draft suite of documents physically combines the 2016-2017 plans of the previous Gloucester Shire, Greater Taree City and Great Lakes Councils and is based on the direction of the delivery programs and long term financial plans of each of the former councils.

"The combined documents give some certainty to our community about what we will deliver over the next year and an opportunity to comment on the direction we are proposing to take," said council's interim general manager, Mr Glenn Handford.

"We are committed to provision of the services and service levels of the former three councils for 2016-2017.

"During the year ahead, we will work across council to develop a 2017-2018 operational plan so that there is a single plan, budget and fees and charges across MidCoast Council for its second year of operation. 

In addressing the State government's rate path freeze policy, council administrator John Turner said,"the government proclamation requires council to apply the 2015-2016 rating structure, rating categories and sub-categories that applied in each former area for 2016-2017.

"For the former Greater Taree City and Great Lakes Council this will be based on a rate peg of 1.8 per cent and for the former Gloucester Shire Council this will include the continuation of a previously determined special rate variation."

How to make a submission

The documents are on public exhibition for viewing until close of business on Wednesday June 22 at all MidCoast Council offices and libraries.  The documents can also be viewed on council's websites: www.gloucester.nsw.gov.au, www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au, www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au

Submissions may be made via email to council@greatlakes.nsw.gov.au or in writing by June 22 and posted to the Interim General Manager, PO Box 450, Forster NSW 2428.