CEO reveals ‘dire’ financial crisis behind delayed Nambour projects

Sunshine Coast Council CEO Mr Baker, who has been in the role for nine months, described the budget process as “incredibly difficult”.

Sunshine Coast Council faced one of its most challenging financial situations in a decade, forcing difficult budget decisions that pushed back key capital projects including planned investments in Nambour, CEO John Baker revealed at a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Mr Baker, who has been in the role for nine months, described the budget process as “incredibly difficult” and acknowledged the financial sustainability concerns went beyond previously reported “depreciation errors”.

“This was probably one of the most difficult budgets that this council has ever faced, certainly in the last 10 years,” he told the Nambour Cinema & Events Centre gathering.

The financial constraints forced a comprehensive review of the capital program with multiple projects deferred by two to three years. Nambour's planned infrastructure investments were among those affected. However the CEO acknowledgment that it was “Nambour's turn” for major development in the next budget.

The CEO said council would begin budget discussions on October 13th – nine months earlier than usual – to allow for more sophisticated priority-based budgeting. “We're giving them nine months to produce a budget this year. So we’re starting really early,” he said.

The CEO emphasised that councillors handled the budget crisis with “incredible maturity” and made the best decisions possible under difficult circumstances. With a more transparent priority-setting process ahead, Mr Baker said Nambour projects may be fast-tracked if councillors voted to prioritise the town's economic development needs and make up for lost ground.

He said the early budget process aimed to ensure better financial planning and community engagement moving forward.