In a period of economic uncertainty it is quite a good budget.

Unlike many councils, which suffered financially with the collapse of Lehmann Brothers, this council has made some prudent investments over the years and is in a sound financial position.

This is reflected in the $71.8 million budget.

Council has capped its rate increase at 3.5 per cent, which is the recommended rate increase by the State government.

However, it has an ambitious capital works project on the books.

Key to this are the fundamentals that ratepayers want their money spent on.

For example, $1 million will be spent to resheet gravel roads and sewer and water projects for Mudgee, Gulgong and Rylstone-Kandos have been prioritised.

There are also some ambitious projects that will lead to a better quality of life for ratepayers.

They include beginning stage one of Glen Willow, which will see the area become a state-of-the-art sports mecca.

Culturally, money is being set aside for the beginnings of the Cudgegong Southbank library project and investigations into a future art gallery.

Council is looking at our swimming pools and has proposed setting aside millions of dollars in the years to come to rehabilitate them, or maybe one day build an aquatic centre.

There are also moves to improve the iconic Mudgee Showground.

Council has made some tough but prudent decisions, such as delaying indefinitely plans to extend its headquarters at a cost of $1.1 million. This will be welcomed when there is talk of cutting staff costs by $300,000.