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a) Gradually achieving an underlying break-even position (excluding interest earned from Developer contributions) within four years and maintaining this position thereafter. As the custodian of Wyndham's community monetary resources, Council must determine its level of expenditure based on the revenue it can generate through ongoing operating activities.

b) Maintaining sufficient short-term funds to ensure Council can meet all payment obligations (including debt) as they fall due.

c) Considering loan borrowings for new assets (including land acquisition) that provide inter-generational equity, where the asset life and benefit to the community extend beyond one generation.

d) Allocating adequate resources for the maintenance and renewal of assets, informed by a well-structured asset plan, to reduce long-term maintenance costs.

e) Considering project-specific financing where future repayments are serviced by the revenue generated in the project.

f) Seeking options to improve ‘own sourced’ revenue through service-related fees, charges, and special purpose rates.

g) Managing developer contribution funds to ensure Council meets its long-term DCP obligations.

h) Creating reserves for specific purposes, based on an assumed increase in unrestricted cash in the long run, to mitigate the impact of unforeseen circumstances that could threaten Council's financial sustainability.

Wyndham’s financial strategy is influenced by the challenges posed by the city growth and the prevailing economic climate.

In developing the Long-Term Financial Plan, the recommendations of the Future Wyndham Community Panel were also carefully considered. The panel advised that Council should seek alternative funding streams and use borrowings strategically to ensure that investment decisions provide long-term benefits to the community.

To address these challenges and work towards financial sustainability, Council will maintain its focus on the following 3 key principles:

Revenue and Expenses Balancing Act: Council aims to sustainably fund community services, balancing intergenerational equity and residents' financial capacity, while strategically allocating resources based on community needs to ensure spending aligns with long-term sustainability goals, including operational efficiency factors in the Long-Term Financial Plan.

Cash Flow Management: Council will aim to maintain positive cash flows through prudent financial management. This can be achieved by regular monitoring of cash holdings, accurate cash flow forecasting, and investing any surplus balances in line with investment policy guidelines to maximise returns.

Use of borrowings and other financing options: Council will consider loan borrowings for long-term community-benefitting assets—such as land acquisition or infrastructure with intergenerational value—but not for recurrent operating costs (except Defined Benefit Superannuation obligations), while also pursuing structured funding partnerships and government support, guided by financial principles that ensure sustainability, effective asset funding, and alignment with community need.

Additionally, Capital and Asset renewal expenditure and active advocacy with the state and federal government will play an important role to support these principles.

The outcomes of the financial strategies will be measured primarily against key financial sustainability metrics as defined below:

• Underlying operating results
• Working Capital and Unrestricted Cash
• Loans and Borrowings
• Asset Renewal

By carefully tracking how well our finances are doing using these important measures, Council makes sure we manage money wisely. This not only helps us spend money efficiently but also ensures our community's assets stay strong and healthy for the long run.