THERE was a round of back-slapping on Monday night as Lake Macquarie City Council endorsed its annual report for the 2023-24 financial year which new mayor Adam Shultz described as "a big feather in our cap."
In the second ordinary meeting since the local government election, Cr Shultz offered glowing praise of the former council and staff for their efforts during the shortened two-year-and-nine-month term.
"Those of us who were on the last council should feel very proud of what they've achieved," Cr Shultz said.
Lake Macquarie chief executive officer Morven Cameron and her team completed 97 per cent of council actions, up from 94 per cent in 2022-23 and 92 per cent in 2021-22.
"It's a good trajectory," Cr Shultz said. "We've increased obviously by five per cent on those last two financial years.
"It means we're delivering on what we say we're going to deliver in that one-year operational plan."
Only five of 149 actions were not completed. Two are expected to be complete in the next financial year, while the end date for the remaining three is unclear.
Council also vastly exceeded its expectations for capital works. It spent $136.9m on upgrades - $18m more than it predicted a year ago - throughout the city on projects such as the final section of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track, an upgrade of the road network in Cooranbong, the Windale Hub, bilyabayi and the Sugar Valley Library Museum.
"I do think we're in a much better position than other councils and that's due to the hard work of this council," councillor Christine Buckley said.
"We've worked really collaboratively and that comes through in the report."
It's a sentiment the Labor-aligned Cr Shultz also shared.
"It's not personal, it's about trying to get the best outcomes for the city," he said.
"We've obviously got Labor councillors, Liberal councillors and independent councillors, but we're all here for the betterment of the city.
"Yes, people have their own ideas, but you play the issue, not the person."
Councillors Brian Adamthwaite, Matthew Schultz and Keara Conroy also spoke glowingly of the annual report.
New deputy mayor Jack Antcliff was the only councillor to provide a differing view. While praising the report, he warned the economic environment signalled "a lot of challenges" and there were "difficult times" ahead.
The bottom line is also looking healthy at Speers Point. Council recorded an operating surplus of $4.1 million for 2023-24, up from a revised budget surplus in March of $1.3 million.
Ms Cameron attributed the surplus to greater-than-expected returns on investments, an increase in grants and contributions for capital purposes.
However, the figure fell significantly short of 2022-23's $9.03m surplus.
The annual report also outlined council plans for the 2024-25 financial year which includes an estimated capital works expenditure program of $111.5m.
More than $26.6m will be spent on road rehabilitation and resurfacing and $27.7m will be used to improve community facilities and local playgrounds.
Some of the big-ticket items will include the continued upgrade of the Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale and the construction of the Eastlakes Community Recycling Centre at Belmont.
In other matters, Cr Shultz passed a motion to defer any decision on the council's future financial involvement in the International Children's Games until the matter is formally discussed with the Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS).
Lake Macquarie council staff have recommended ceasing grants to HAS and instead offering logistical support to local clubs wanting to participate in the International Children's Games. Staff also recommended the creation of a new sports grant program to assist Lake Macquarie athletes at local, regional, state and national level.
