Integrated Planning Framework 

Lithgow City Council has developed a new suite of Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents outlining a clear path to achieving the community’s vision for the Lithgow Local Government Area (LGA).    The documents on exhibition include: 

 The public exhibition of the IP&R documents is your opportunity to let us know if the projects we’ve identified for future delivery align with your vision for the Lithgow LGA.   

Key Dates

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Draft IP&R documents – Endorsed by Council for public exhibition 28 April 
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Submissions open – 1 May 2025 
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Submissions close – 2 June 2025 
circleAdoption of Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework – 30 June 2025 

Shaun Elwood

by Hot Minute with Nick Bennett 2LT

As part of Council’s Exhibition Period for the Integrated Planning Framework Documents (IP&R), Nick Bennett interviews Lithgow City Council’s Director of People and Places Shaun Elwood who discusses Council’s service review program which looks at different parts of the Council to make improvements. Shaun also discusses how the Council is working to communication and engagement with residents to drive better and more collaborative outcomes for community.

All of these initiatives and projects can be commented on by visiting: Integrated Planning Framework | Our Place, Our Future until Monday 2 June 2025

Audio courtesy of 2LT and Move FM

Matt Trapp

by Hot Minute with Nick Bennett 2LT

As part of Council’s Exhibition Period for the Integrated Planning Framework Documents (IP&R), Nick Bennett interviews Lithgow City Council’s Executive Manager of Water, Wastewater & Waste Matthew Trapp who discusses the benefits of improving water and wastewater infrastructure and how projects like sewer main relining are extending the life of the existing infrastructure. He also talks about how the Council is using data to improve the delivery of services and working to find a secure supply of water to support growth over the coming decades.

All of these initiatives and projects  can be commented on by visiting: Integrated Planning Framework | Our Place, Our Future until Monday 2 June 2025

Audio courtesy of 2LT and Move FM

Vanessa Browning

by Hot Minute with Nick Bennett 2LT

As part of Council’s Exhibition Period for the Integrated Planning Framework Documents (IP&R), Nick Bennett interviews Lithgow City Council Director of Finance and Governance Vanessa Browning who discusses changes to Council’s website, the operating result for the financial year and the value of the upcoming capital works program and upcoming service reviews which will help Lithgow Council to improve delivery of services right across the organisation.

All of these initiatives and projects are outlined  and can be commented on by visiting: Integrated Planning Framework | Our Place, Our Future until Monday 2 June 2025

Audio courtesy of 2LT and Move FM

Jonathon Edgecombe

by Hot Minute with Nick Bennett 2LT

As part of Council’s Exhibition Period for the Integrated Planning Framework Documents (IP&R), Nick Bennett interviews Lithgow City Council Director of Infrastructure and Economy  Jonathon Edgecombe who discusses Council’s Transport Program, the Sporting Precinct Masterplan and Lighting Designs as well as Council’s Plant Replacement Program. Jonathon also provides an update on the progress of the Lithgow Emerging Economy Plan  (LEEP)

All of these initiatives and projects  can be commented on by visiting: Integrated Planning Framework | Our Place, Our Future until Monday 2 June 2025

Make a Submission

We invite you to provide your feedback from Wednesday 30 April to Monday 2 June 2025.  

Let us know what you think about the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, Operational Plan, Fees & Charges.  

What happens to my submission 

This process provides an opportunity for our community members to have their concerns heard and suggestions considered prior to the finalisation and adoption of the draft documents. 

Whilst we encourage everyone to make a submission, this is not a voting process, submissions are considered in accordance with budget availability, staff capacity and value to the community.  Multiple submission for a project or program will be considered as one submission.  

All submissions received during the exhibition period will be included in the Business Paper and discussed at the Council meeting.  

All submissions will be considered, and you will be kept informed of the process and progress with your proposal.  

Community Strategic Plan 2040 cover

Submission Form

Integrated Planning Framework
I wish to provide feedback on the following document(s)
Please provide your feedback here

Maximum file size: 516MB

Frequently Asked Questions

What is public exhibition?
When the Council puts something on public exhibition it means that anyone can look at and comment on it.  By putting these documents on exhibition, we are giving the community a chance to look at them and provide feedback before they are finalised.  This feedback helps us understand if there is something we need to add or change before the plans are adopted.  

What is the Community Strategic Plan?
The Community Strategic Plan is the leading component of the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) Framework mandated for all NSW Councils by the State Government.  This plan identifies the shared vision, aspirations and value of our community and its desired outcomes to inform long-term planning and the strategies to achieve them.  

What is the Delivery Program?
The 2026-2030 Delivery Program is a statement of commitment to the community from our newly elected Council.  It clarifies how we will contribute to the delivery of the five Strategic Directions in the Our Place, Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2040 and identifies our Principal Activities for the next four years.   The 2026-2030 Delivery Program is the primary reference point for all activities undertaken by the Council during its term of office.  It sets the stage for what is achievable, prioritising initiatives and scheduling programs effectively. 

What is the Operational Plan?
The 2025-2026 Operational Plan provides a detailed account of the specific actions and projects we aim to accomplish in the next 12 months (2 July 2025 – 30 June 2026) to achieve the five Strategic Directions in the Our Place Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2040 and our identified Principal Activities in the 2026-2030 Delivery Program.  An Operational Plan is prepared each year and adopted by the Council.  

This document includes an annual budget – the Revenue Policy. 

What is the Fees and Charges document?
This document lists all the fees and charges relating to the services the Council provides, including cemeteries, libraries, applications, facility hires, animal control and so on.  

Council’s Fees and Charges schedule is important if you regularly use or plan to use a Council service or facility in 2025/26.  You will be able to see if the fees and charges for a particular service or facility is proposed to change after 1 July 2025.  

What is the Resourcing Strategy?
To support the Delivery Program effectively the Council is required to develop a 10-year Resourcing Strategy.  The strategy ensures the Council has the necessary people, budget, technology and infrastructure in place to deliver against its commitments.  

Community Engagement 

In preparation for the Community Strategic Plan in September 2024, the Council engaged Micromex Research and Consulting to undertake 

  • A statistically valid surveying methodology to canvas community attitudes and perceptions, aspirations, and priorities for the LGA in the future. This included a random telephone survey of residents (n= 401 respondents) from across the Lithgow LGA (Local Government Area). They also developed an online version of the survey for interested residents to complete (n=167 respondents). 
  • Conduct a Visioning Workshop with the Councillors on 20 January to identify the key values, strengths, and challenges of the Lithgow Council area, establish how these fit within the Community Strategic Plan (CSP), identify Councillor focus areas and propose projects and ideas to support and address these issues. 

The community survey confirmed that the most loved aspects of living in the Lithgow region continue to be the sense of community and friendly people, natural environment, beautiful clean area and scenery, convenient central location and relaxed/peaceful lifestyle. When asked what could be changed about living in Lithgow the top responses were: 

  • Economic growth / development e.g. attract business/jobs/shops. 
  • Upgrading and maintaining our roads 
  • Council management /planning / action 
  • Recreational opportunities. 

In response, the Councillor Visioning Workshop identified 7 areas of focus which Council will progress through the Combined 2026-2030 Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan: 

  1. Improved Expressway and Freight Connectivity to Sydney. 
  2. Health Forum and advocate more funding for specific services e.g. mental health, drug/alcohol rehabilitation. 
  3. Attracting tourism via Entertainment precincts, eco-tourism, recreational activities. 
  4. Beautification, streetscape planting/lighting and re-igniting the ‘night economy’. 
  5. Greater communication & transparency from Council to Community. 
  6. Creating job opportunities and career pathways for youth and retaining families. 
  7. Improve signage and upgrade infrastructure. 

 

 

You can view the full community survey reports and Council Visioning Workshop Report here