The draft funding proposal was placed on exhibition after it was endorsed by councillors at the October 31 council meeting.

The proposal and information relating to the office centralisation project have been made available to the Mid Coast community through council’s website, local media channels, information flyers, in Customer Service Centres and libraries, and through a series of community meetings.  

“We continue to encourage residents and ratepayers to not only learn more about the impacts and benefits of establishing an administrative head office, but to provide input into this important project by completing the survey,” MidCoast Council’s general manager, Adrian Panuccio said.

Feedback from the consultation phase will be collated and presented to councillors at a February meeting, where the decision will be made whether to continue to the next of five stages in a gateway process being employed to manage the centralisation project.

Mr Panuccio said the draft financing strategy makes it clear that there will be no special rate variation required to fund the fitout of the Biripi Way head office should it proceed, and that funding for day-to-day operations and existing programs such as improvements to local roads and bridges, would not be touched.

The proposal sets out funding from three sources, including cash reserves, property sales, and borrowings to be repaid through funds gained from leasing council’s current administration buildings in Taree and Forster.

Community members are encouraged to visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/headoffice​ for details and accurate information, and to complete the online survey.

The survey closes at 6pm on Friday, December 14.