This is the first integrated plan for the amalgamated council, which administers an area covering 5319 square kilometres, with a population of 57,850, an asset base of $1.9 billion and a total budget of $243 million.

Maintaining and upgrading the region’s 1600 kilometres of roads, including 763 kilometres of unsealed roads, is a key focus of the plan. Over $19 million of the funds for capital works have been allocated to roads including the Captains Flat Road, which will receive $281,000, the Nerriga Road, which will receive $1.792 million to construct, and seal road from Grants Road towards Charleyong.

Of the council’s budget detailed in the draft plan, $67 million is directed towards capital works.

Projects in Queanbeyan received the lion’s share of funding. However, Braidwood received money for several key infrastructure projects. A new waste transfer station is slated to receive $2.75 million. A preliminary concept design for this station has been developed, with the project likely to go to tender in the coming weeks. 

Other key capital works plans include the redevelopment of the council’s main administration building in Queanbeyan, for which $25 million as been set aside, and an upgrade to the Queanbeyan Sewerage Treatment Plant which will receive $6.5 million of funds. 

The Ellerton Drive extension has also been allocated $1.9 million of funds for the upcoming financial year, out of a total project cost of $86 million. When complete, the project will provide an alternative route around the Queanbeyan CBD, connecting East and West Queanbeyan with population growth areas to the south.

The draft plan also includes $9 million of previously announced grants from the Stronger Communities Fund, of which Braidwood received $2,045,000.

Direct saving from the amalgamation is expected to be lower than predicted by the NSW Government.