Muswellbrook Shire Council has adopted its audited financial statements for 2024-25, confirming a strong financial position built on responsible management, low residential rates and rising pressure on Council’s income.
Muswellbrook residents continue to pay the lowest average ordinary residential rates in the Hunter at around $950 per year.
Even including water service charges – billed separately by Hunter Water in other LGAs – Muswellbrook households pay between $900 and $1,200 less each year than households in Maitland or Newcastle.
Muswellbrook Mayor Jeff Drayton said the financial results highlight both Council’s strong financial management and a need to safeguard the community from the economic impact of market-driven mining decline.
“These results show disciplined financial management on the part of Council, and it takes a lot of work to maintain the lowest residential rates in the Hunter,” Mayor Drayton said.
Muswellbrook Shire Council’s audited financial statements for 2024-25 show:
- Total income: $90 million (down from $101 million)
- Operating expenses (excluding depreciation): $50 million
- Net operating surplus before capital grant contributions: $6 million
- Total assets: just over $1 billion
- Total liabilities: $87 million
- Cash reserves: now cover 12 months of operating costs
Key financial ratios remain strong for Council, including an unrestricted current ratio of 2.04 against a state benchmark of 1.5.
Infrastructure renewals have also strengthened to 75 per cent, up from 61 per cent, while Council has also recorded a high operating performance ratio of 9.9 per cent.
