The draft delivery program, which was unanimously endorsed for public exhibition at Monday's council meeting, included a $416 million budget for the upcoming financial year with more than $130 million in capital works.

Major projects on the agenda include the long awaited completion of the new Weir Road bridge at Barnsley, reconstruction of fire-ravaged Awaba House, finalisation of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track southern section, the new Windale Hub - comprising a library, meeting spaces and tech facilities, a new master plan for Morisset to become a major regional growth hub, and construction of the Sugar Valley Library Museum at Cameron Park.

Council also plans to spend $22.7 million on roads, $15.4 million on community buildings, $13.1 million on sports facilities, $13.1 million on traffic and transport improvements, $8.6 million on libraries and cultural facilities and $7.6 million on cycleways and associated infrastructure in the 2022/23 financial year.

Councillors also endorsed a draft community strategic plan which outlines council's strategies and focus areas for the next decade.

While mayor Kay Fraser said it was "exciting" to put the plan out for public comment, she acknowledged there had been challenges to overcome over the past two years with COVID-19.

In its December review of the 2021/22 budget, council was projecting an operating loss before capital items of $8.58 million and budget cash deficit of $641,000 for the year ending June 30.

The draft resourcing strategy 2022-2032 said increasing costs and availability of materials had created challenges for council, while construction costs had "risen significantly" in 2021.

The pandemic had also created increased costs for cleaning and equipment, and reduced revenue from closing and restricting numbers of some services.

Council said it was considering applying for a one-off opportunity available in 2022-2023 to councils for an Additional Special Variation of up to 2.5 per cent, inclusive of the previously determined rate cap of 0.7 per cent. Council said it had anticipated a cap of 2.5 per cent and had used that figure in the preparation of long-term financial plans.

"If a 2.5 per cent rate increase was granted, this would equate to $2.66 million more revenue for 2022-2023 than is shown in the reported Long Term Financial Plan. The estimated impact across the next 10 years is $30 million," the report said.

IPART will provide full details of the application process by the end of March.

The draft plans are on public exhibition until April 25.

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