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FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT – MARCH 2024

Financial Services Manager (Acting), Pauline Coles · Financial Services | Corporate Services Department

Executive summary

Year-to-date (YTD) performance against current budget as at 31 March 2024 is positive with operating revenues outperforming forecast and operating expenditure under forecast YTD. Capital revenues are above forecast with total capital expenditure below forecast due to project delays and scheduled timing of delivery. YTD Financial Performance Summary Budget Actual Variance Variance Status $m $m $m % Operating Revenue $120.9 $122.7 $1.8 1.5% On Track Operating Expense $95.9 $94.4 $1.5 1.5% On Track Operating Position $25.0 $28.3 $3.3 Capital Revenue $24.1 $30.4 $6.3 26.0% Above Budget Capital Expenditure* $56.9 $44.0 $12.9 22.7% Behind Budget

  • Reflects constructed assets and intangibles only (excludes contributed assets). The $3.3 million full year operating surplus comprises $1.8 million general operating surplus from activities that are funded through Council’s general rate, regulatory fees and sales of goods and services; as well an additional $0.5 million from holiday park operations and $0.8 million from waste operations, and a further $0.2 million in unspent levy and separate charge funds which are constrained in reserve for future use. Budget Variance Actual YTD Item

YTD

YTD

$m $m $m $15.6 General business operating position (unconstrained funds) $17.4 $1.8 $7.2 Commercial operations (constrained funds) * $8.5 $1.3 $2.2 Unspent levies (constrained funds) $2.4 $0.2 $25.0 Total Council Operating Position $28.3 $3.3

  • Includes Waste and Holiday Park operations as shown in the table below Council has elected to apply National Competition Policy (NCP) reforms to its Waste Management and Holiday Parks which provides greater transparency and assists with removing anti-competitive conduct and ensure the best allocation of Councils limited resources. A summary of the YTD operational performance of these business activities are outlined below. Waste Operations Holiday Parks Budget Actual Variance Budget Actual Variance

YTD

YTD

YTD

YTD

YTD

YTD

$m $m $m $m $m $m Revenue 22.1 22.4 0.3 3.1 3.7 0.6 Expenditure 15.4 14.9 0.5 2.6 2.7 (0.1) Net Operating Position 6.7 7.5 0.8 0.5 1.0 0.5 Financial statements including Statement of Income & Expenditure, Statement of Financial Position (balance sheet), and Statement of Cash Flows are included as attachments as further information for Council. Figure 1: Actual Performance Compared to Budget Council’s performance against key measures of financial sustainability has been calculated as at March 2024. These statutory indicators enable the reader to assess Council’s success in managing its budget, cash and debt as well as undertaking sustainable asset management. The table below contains a snapshot of a number of key measures, with full detail included in the report. YTD Measures of Financial Sustainability Current Target Actual YTD Status Budget Operating Surplus Ratio On Track 0-10% 0.2% 23.0% Net Financial Liabilities Ratio On Track <60% -0.3% -35.9% Cash Cover Ratio On Track 3 months 9.4 months 14.9 months Behind Asset Sustainability Ratio > 90% 132.7% 64.5%

Recommendation

That Council note the report by the Manager Financial Services (Acting) to the Ordinary Meeting dated 18 April 2024 outlining March 2024 year to date financial performance against budget, including changes to the financial performance report with the inclusion of key financial sustainability indicators.

Report

Operating Revenue (YTD Benchmark 75.0%) Council has received 90.1% ($122.7 million) of its operating revenue budget ($136.2 million). Commentary on each revenue category is provided below.

Category

Summary

Comments •

Rates and Levies $88.9 million (100.0%) General rate (net of discounts) $122.k above of the annual budget of YTD budget (100.2% or $67.2 million of $67.0 $88.9 million has been million annual budget earned) • earned Waste utility charges $92.0k below YTD budget (99.4% or $15.8 million of $15.9 million annual budget earned) •

Fees and Charges $7.2 million (64.0%) of Development Assessment $493.9k below the annual budget of budget (58.6% or $2.3 million of $3.8 million $11.2 million has been annual budget earned) • earned Building & Plumbing Compliance $257.7k below budget (65.0% or $1.6 million of $2.4 million annual budget earned) • Local Laws $197.8k below budget (66.1% or $1.3 million of $2.0 million annual budget earned) • Community facility fees $125.3k below budget (44.2% or $179.4k of $406.3k annual budget earned) •

Sale of Goods and $12.3 million (83.1%) Holiday Park revenue $655.8k above budget

Services of the annual budget of (88.9% or $3.7 million of $4.1 million annual $14.8 million has been budget earned). Any revenue upside will be earned generally offset by a corresponding increase in associated operating costs. • Sports facility revenue $250.2k above budget (87.3% or $2.4 million of $2.7 million annual budget earned) • Waste Management fees $196.9k above budget (77.8% or $5.5 million of $7.1 million annual budget earned) • Cultural facility revenue $65.4k above budget (84.9% or $466.2k of $549.2k annual budget earned) •

Interest Received $5.3 million (108.4%) Interest revenues are tracking above budget of the $4.9 million with investment in higher yielding term annual budget has deposits maximising the return on surplus been earned cash holdings. Cash holdings are higher compared to previous years due to the advanced payment of QRA disaster capital works grants. •

Other Revenue $2.4 million (84.6%) of Plant recharge revenue is $279k above budget the $2.8 million annual due to internal plant being utilised for the budget has been delivery of disaster funded capital projects. earned

Category

Summary

Comments •

Operating Grants, $3.4 million (44.8%) of Operating Grants and subsidies is in line with

Subsidies the $7.5 million annual budget expectations at this stage. YTD budget has been variance relates to $78k illegal dumping grant received received in February 2024. • 100% ($2.0 million) of the financial assistance grant was again prepaid in June 2023 and may impact on Council’s 2023/24 final operating position if the prepayment approach is discontinued by the Australian government. •

Unitywater On track Unitywater distributions are fixed each year so

Distributions there is limited budget variance risk

Figure 2: Operating Revenue Position by Type (Excluding Rates)

Operating Expenditure (YTD Benchmark 75.0%) Actual operating expenditure is currently 69.5% ($94.4 million) of full year budget ($135.9 million). Detailed commentary for each expenditure category is provided below.

Category

Summary

Comments •

Employee Costs $35.2 million (71.8%) of the Expenditure for permanent staff salaries annual budget of $48.9 and wages underspent ($2.6m) due to million has been expended position vacancies, partially offset by additional spend on casual staff and external labour hire ($1.3 million). • Training costs are in slightly over forecast at this point in the year (45.8% or $170.7k of $372.6k annual budget spent) •

Materials and $42.2 million (66.0%) of the Civil Operations $392.5k above budget

Services $63.9 million annual budget (77.25% or $7.2 million of $9.4 million has been expended. annual budget spent) • Development Assessment $236.0k above budget (84.88% or $1.6 million of $1.8 million annual budget spent) • Holiday Parks $93.3k above budget (74.7% or $1.9 million of a $2.5 million annual budget spent) – offset by additional revenue. • Waste Management $514.3k below budget (65.06% or $9.8 million of $15.0 million annual budget spent)

Category

Summary

Comments • Canals and Waterways $83.9k below budget (51.1% or $259.6k of $507.8k annual budget spent) • Sports Facilities $73.3k below budget (65.8% or $1.0 million of $1.6 million annual budget spent) – offset by additional revenue. • Environmental Services $66.1k below budget (47.3% or $1.6 million of $3.5 million annual budget spent) •

Finance Costs Currently on track Whilst existing loan borrowings are set with fixed interest rates, any further RBA rate rises will impact finance costs on new loan borrowings.

Depreciation Currently on track Nil

Other Expenses Currently on track Nil

Figure 3: Operating Expenditure Position by Type

Tourism and Economic Development Investment Summary Council resolved to report on a monthly basis, investment details for tourism and economic development. Expenditure at 31 March 2024 is outlined below:

Expenditure

YTD Budget

YTD Actual

Variance

$’000 $’000

$’000 - Tourism Noosa Funding Agreement $2,520 $2,520 ($17) Economic Development $774 $791

($17)

Total

$3,294

$3,311 Tourism and economic development activity is funded through the general rates. All instalments payable under the Tourism Noosa agreement for the 2023-24 financial year have been made.

Legal Cost Summary An update on legal costs and associated expenditure is provided on a quarterly basis. Legal and associated costs are $296.7k over budget YTD (82.9% or $1.7 million of $2.1 million annual budget spent). Legal and associated expenditure is dependent on the type and specialist nature of appeals being undertaken and costs and timing may fluctuate as a result. Following a centralised legal service trial (as reported to Council at the April 2023 meeting), Council endorsed the appointment of inhouse Legal Counsel to centralise Council’s legal requirements with a view minimising organisational risk and reducing external legal costs. This resource was appointed in December 2023 and the associated costs of this resources have been included in the quarterly legal cost update below for comparative purposes. The role of legal counsel for Noosa Council commenced on 4 December 2023 to support Council Officers on various legal matters, including commercial transactions, risk guidance and legal advice. Certain legal activities are excluded from this scope, such as planning matters, as they require specialised legal support. To date the Legal Counsel has dealt with at least 50 different matters across all branches of Council, with some of these ongoing. In general terms the areas covered include reviewing legislative reforms and interpretation for Council compliance and processes, contract review and development, legal review of delegations and policy, and drafting legal responses or advice on various matters across Council. Other benefits beyond the financial savings, include risk mitigation, decreasing likelihood of future claims, upskilling Council staff and improved process efficiencies. A digital online legal request form for Council staff has also been implemented to streamline the legal advice process. It also facilitates tracking and future reporting for the service. YTD Expenditure as at 31 March 2024 is outlined below:

YTD 24 ACT

FY 2023/24

% of FY

Legal Expenditure by Type

Actuals

Budget Budget

$'000 $'000

spent

Specialised Legal Costs Development Application Appeals 1,436 1,590 90.3% Planning Scheme Amendments 66 110 59.7% Overdue Rates 0 50 0.0% Procurement and Tender Advice 25 40 63.2% Property & Lease costs 27 74 36.3% Infringement prosecutions 78 79 98.7% Industrial Relations Advice 13 30 44.0%

,644

,972

%

General Legal Advice CEO & Governance 131 155 84.2% All Other Branches 81.4%

%

Total

,827

,191

% Figure 4: Legal Costs (including consultancy) over time.

Figure 5: Legal Expenditure by Department – 5-year trend

Capital Revenue Full Year Capital revenue of $30.4 million received comprises cash contributions from developers ($1.5m) and capital grants ($25.9 million). Note that the timing of capital grant receipts are generally dependent on the timing of grant conditions and also capital delivery performance, and that the timing of the receipt of developer contributions (both cash and contributed) is unpredictable. Council has funding approval from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority for reconstruction works relating to the Black Mountain landslip and several other flood impacted sites, which occurred during the February 2022 rain event. Council has received a further upfront payment of $17.6m in February 2024 in respect of these projects.

Figure 6: Capital Revenue by Type

Capital Program Actual capital expenditure (excluding commitments) is $44.0 million (YTD budget $56.9 million). Detailed discussion of progress in the delivery of the capital works program is provided through a separate quarterly report by the infrastructure team.

Figure 7: Capital Program Delivery Performance

Cash Management and Investment Performance Total cash on hand at the end of March was $139.3 million. Included in this balance are funds held in trust and for restricted purposes (e.g. unexpended levy and grant funds), prepaid grants including the financial assistance grant, QRA disaster funding and other capital works grants, prepayment of Waste Levy subsidy (4 years), and unspent monies committed for funding capital projects which are underway and will continue during the financial year. The following pie charts present the mix of cash held at March 2024 by agency (graph on the left) and by credit risk rating (graph on the right). All funds have been invested in accordance with Council's Investment Policy and in consideration of the principles of ethical investment, preservation of capital, return on investment and counterparty thresholds.

Figure 8: Closing Cash Held by Agency and Credit Rating The following chart monitors the 12 month trend on total cash and the agencies invested. To maximise the return on in its cash holdings Council has invested $30 million in higher yielding term deposits. These investments were made in line with Council’s Investment of Surplus Funds policy.

Figure 9: 12 Month Trend of Cash Invested by Agency

Quarterly Supplementary Information - Cash Components An update detailing the composition of Council’s cash reserves is provided quarterly. Council’s cash balance comprises a number of components – restricted cash (reserves), committed cash, financial sustainability requirements and unrestricted cash. These are outlined below.

Restricted Cash - In accordance with Council’s Management of Restricted Cash Policy, funds are set aside and restricted for a specific purpose. This can be either to meet regulatory requirements, allocate against specific future projects and activities, and to ensure sufficient working capital to meet current and long term financial obligations.

Committed Cash - A portion of cash reserves are committed to undertake current year capital works. At the start of the financial year, this commitment will be increased for any unfinished capital works from previous year which are carried over as part of the budget review process to ensure the projects can be completed.

Sustainability Requirement – Cash expense cover is a key statutory indicator to measure liquidity, ensure going concern and is a key measure considered in Council achieving its current credit rating (Sound with a Neutral Outlook) to ensure borrowing capacity. Cash expense cover calculates how long Council can continue to pay its day-to-day expenses without needing to seek borrowings or other external funding. A target minimum of three month’s cash cover is to be held in any given financial year to minimise financial risk.

Unrestricted Cash – These are funds where there is no regulatory, policy or budgetary commitment to retain funds for specific purposes. These funds can be separated into the following:

  • Working Capital – The cycle of revenue received twice yearly through rates that is held in the bank and spent over the following six months on operations and capital.
  • Long Term Surplus – Uncommitted cash set aside to fund the 10-year capital works program. Overall, Council’s $139.3 million total cash balance compromises:
  • $58.7 million (42.1%) in restricted cash. This has increased due to a further advance payment of disaster grants ($17.6m).
  • $32.3 million (23.2%) committed for the delivery of capital works projects.
  • $28.3 million ($20.3%) to meet sustainability requirements, equivalent to 3 months cash cover.
  • $16.1 million (11.5%) in working capital to pay for operations through to the end of the financial year.
  • $3.9 million (2.8%) in unrestricted free cash, which is the cash available to fund emergent or new capital works projects. There is no funding to replenish this unless Council generates a surplus operating position.

Figure 10: Allocation of Cash Balances

Measures of Financial Sustainability The following table incorporates a set of financial sustainability indicators to further assist in managing Council financial performance. There are no current emerging risks regarding performance noting the early stage of the financial year.

Category

Comments •

Operating Surplus Ratio

Intent: Identifies the extent to which revenues cover operational expenses, to ensure community equity is not degraded •

Target: 0 – 10% •

Result: 23.0% •

Comment: With the second rates cycle occurring in January, this ratio will slowly decline as expenditure on operations occurs through to the end of the financial year at 30 June 2024.

Category

Comments •

Cash Expense Cover

Intent: Indicates how long council can continue paying its day-to-day expenses from cash at bank without needing additional cash flows •

Target: > 3 months •

Result: 14.9 months •

Comment: Current cash cover remains above target, while business as usual expenditure through to 30 June 2024 will degrade Council’s cash holdings, albeit not below the target range of 3 – 6 months. A second advance payment of disaster funding ($17.6m) was received in February 2024, this combined with the second rating cycles has resulted in higher than normal cash balances. Cash balances include funding for capital programs, unspent grant monies paid in advance, Waste Levy subsidy prepayments and

QRA

advance payments for disaster projects which are restricted for specific purposes and inflate the ratio. •

Asset Sustainability Ratio

Intent: Measures the extent to which assets are being replaced as their condition degrades to ensure service potential is maintained •

Target: 90% of depreciation budget spent on renewals annually •

Result: Renewals are currently running behind budget due to project delays and scheduling. •

Comment: The ratio will progressively increase each month as expenditure on renewals occurs as part of the capital works program. For transparency

QRA

disaster projects have been excluded from the ratio calculations.

Category

Comments •

Net Financial Liabilities Ratio

Intent: Outlines the level that net Council debt can be serviced by operating revenues. A ratio below zero implies that liabilities are less than cash (and other current assets) and there is adequate borrowing capacity available if needed. •

Target: less than 60% •

Result: -35.9% •

Comment: Council has low debt levels and strong cash holdings. The advance payment of rates, grants and subsidies also inflates the YTD actual outcome. •

Investment Return

Intent: Ensure appropriate return on investment yield for cash at bank. •

Target: 0.25% above current Bloomberg commonwealth 10-year bond rate yield (5.04%) •

Result: 5.56% •

Comment: With higher than normal cash balances and bond rates at their peak, Council has invested surplus cash in higher yielding term deposits to maximise returns. Council's investment returns remain above target. •

Rates in Arrears

Intent: Ensuring that the amount of unpaid rates remains sustainable and does not negatively impact cash flows •

Target: 5% industry benchmark •

Result: 7.5% •

Comment: Rates arrears continue to decline from the high point in the cycle with payments coming due in February. Reminder notices were issued in March and arrears will continue to stabilise through to June as they are collected, and payment arrangements implemented.

Report details

Index: ECM/ Subject / 22.09 – Monthly Financial Performance Report