Central Darling Shire Council took its first steps toward financial accountability at Wednesday's historic meeting, receiving the audited financial statements for 2024-25 and conducting a quarterly budget review as the newly constituted body begins charting the shire's fiscal future.

The presentation of the audited financial statements to the elected council marks a significant milestone in transparency and democratic oversight after more than a decade of administration.

For the first time since 2012, the shire's financial position will be scrutinised by councillors answerable to voters, bringing a new level of accountability to the management of public funds.

The financial statements provide a comprehensive picture of council operations over the year ending June 30, 2025, revealing the costs of delivering services across Australia's largest local government area and the challenges of maintaining financial sustainability with a limited rate base and vast infrastructure needs.

Council's financial position has been shaped by several major factors in recent years.

Significant infrastructure projects have been completed, including the $48.8 million Pooncarie Road sealing project that wrapped up in 2024 after three years of construction.

Progress has also continued on the $9.5 million Baaka Cultural Centre in Wilcannia, a regionally significant project that will provide important cultural and community facilities.

The opening of the $7 million Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation Community Health and Wellbeing Facility in April represented another major infrastructure achievement, improving health services for shire residents.

Work has also advanced on town water treatment plants across multiple communities, addressing long-standing water quality concerns. These projects, while delivering tangible benefits to communities, have required careful financial management and significant external funding.

The council's ability to secure grants and manage major capital works has been essential given the constraints of the shire's rate base, with a population under 2,000 spread across 53,511 square kilometres.

The quarterly budget review discussed at Wednesday's meeting provides councillors with an up-to-date snapshot of financial performance, comparing actual income and expenditure against budgeted figures and identifying any areas requiring adjustment.

This regular monitoring will be crucial as the council transitions from administration to elected governance and works to demonstrate sound financial management.

Looking ahead, the council faces the challenging task of preparing its first community strategic plan, delivery program and operational plan under the new governance model.

These documents, which must be adopted by June 30, 2026, will require extensive community consultation and careful alignment of community aspirations with financial reality.

The NSW Government's commitment of $6 million over two years provides significant support for the transition, helping address immediate infrastructure priorities, build organisational capacity and deliver essential services.

However, councillors know this funding is time-limited and that achieving long-term financial sustainability will require difficult decisions about service levels, revenue raising and expenditure prioritisation.

The shire's financial challenges are compounded by its designation as a provider of last resort for many services.

In communities where there are no private sector alternatives and limited state or federal service delivery, council steps in to fill gaps, operating facilities and providing services that would typically be beyond the scope of local government.

This essential role comes with significant ongoing costs that strain the budget.

Council's revenue base is constrained by property values that reflect the remote location and limited economic opportunities.

Rate income, while essential, can never generate the funds needed to maintain extensive road networks, water and sewage infrastructure, public facilities and community services without substantial external support through grants and contributions.

The quarterly budget review process allows councillors to monitor grant funding received, track expenditure on major projects, review operating costs across different service areas and identify any emerging financial pressures requiring attention.

This regular scrutiny helps ensure council stays on track financially and can respond quickly to unexpected developments.

For the newly elected and appointed councillors, Wednesday's consideration of financial matters marked their first opportunity to exercise oversight of the shire's finances.

The questions they asked, the priorities they identified and the approach they take to financial governance will set the tone for the council's entire term.

The six million dollar state government support package will be crucial in these early years, allowing the council to address pressing infrastructure needs while building the systems and capacity needed for long-term success.

How wisely that funding is deployed, and how effectively the council manages its ongoing financial obligations, will largely determine whether Central Darling can achieve sustainable local government.

Residents waiting more than a decade to have elected representatives scrutinising council finances will be watching closely to see whether democratic oversight delivers better value, improved transparency and more responsive financial management.

The financial statements and budget reviews presented at council meetings will be key opportunities for that public accountability.

As the council settles into its role and gains experience with the financial complexities of managing remote service delivery, councillors will need to balance community expectations with financial realities, make tough choices about priorities and demonstrate to both residents and the state government that Central Darling Shire Council can be trusted with public funds and the responsibility of self-governance.