With millions of dollars in revenue down the drain, its no surprise Tamworth Regional Council's Annual Report calls this a "rollercoaster" of a financial year.
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The pandemic hasn't been without its wins however, with a mass of red-tape cuts, more frequent and regular community updates, reduced fees and superstar football team visits noted in the report.
But these are recorded alongside the mass cancellation of events, the closures of our entertainment venues, airport and sporting facilities.
All to the tune of a $4 million loss detailed in the report.
While most areas fell way short of last year's figures, rates and annual charges went up due to rate peg increases throughout the year.
This week's ordinary meeting will see councillors all vote to officially put the report card on display for the community to review.
Mayor Col Murray and general manager Paul Bennett acknowledged the "rollercoaster" of a financial year in a joint address to council's constituents.
Titled 'united in optimism, ready for the future,' they outlined the "great highs" experienced in the first six months of the financial year, which were followed swiftly by devastating lows and "challenges" in the second half.
"As we enter the next financial year, Council will be prioritising those projects which will provide local jobs and boost our region's economic activity for the post-pandemic recovery," they promised.
Council's net operating result, before grants and contributions, was almost halved by 43 per cent, or $1.4 million.
This was partly due to the drought and Covid-19, with a drastic loss in water-related user charges and fees along with the closure of the aerodrome and entertainment facilities. These totaled a $7.7 million loss.
On the other end of the scale, these losses were offset somewhat taking into consideration rate rises and capital grants.
Rates and normal charges revenue went up by $2.2 million, or 3.2 per cent from last financial year.
Now after reaching the end of June 2020 ... life is feeling a little more 'normal'. Our optimism and adaptability has served us well.
- Col Murray and Paul Bennett
The region was bequeathed an impressive $58 million in grants and funding for specific roads and bridges projects: $3.5 million and 6.4 per cent more than we received last year.
"Now after reaching the end of June 2020 ... life is feeling a little more 'normal'. Our optimism and adaptability has served us well," Cr Murray and Mr Bennett stated.
"We are confident the worst is behind us."
Before there were fights breaking out in our supermarkets over toilet paper, council managed to tick off major projects.
The Tamworth cemetery extension, Stage 2 of the Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence, Connors Creek Bridge, the Werris Creek Road and Gipps Street car park upgrades, Fitzroy Street redevelopment among others were all completed.
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Council also introduced Blueprint 100 planning for Tamworth region's population growth, a business continuity plan, and saw online development applications increase on council's new website.
Underneath those are listed are a number of "challenges".
These include the need for council to review roundabout sight lines, address road quality, parking availability in town, reduce the trip hazards on walking paths, increase foot and cycleways, increase mobile internet coverage across the region and grow community transport networks.
The next big ticket item is the Tamworth Global Gateway Park in Westdale, which will "drive the region's economic growth and employment opportunities."
