Annual Business Plan and Budget 2024/25 and Long Term Financial Plan

Council welcomed community feedback between 2 May and 3 June 2024 regarding the proposed activities and associated funding arrangements contained within the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget and the Long Term Financial Plan for 2024/25.

The community was invited to provide feedback via our My Say website, in writing or by attending one of our three Budget Roadshow Public Meetings that were held in;

• South Ward (Goolwa and surrounds) Monday 13 May, 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm
•  North Ward (Strathalbyn and surrounds) Tuesday 21 May, 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm
• West Ward (Mount Compass and surrounds)  Monday 27 May, 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

A total of 119 community members attended the Budget Roadshows, 309 people completed the survey and Council received 11 written submissions and one petition.

A number of amendments were made to the Annual Business Plan and Budget following community engagement.

Section 123(6a) of the Local Government Act 1999 requires councils to outline any significant amendments made to the adopted Annual Business Plan (i.e. different from the draft on which public engagement was undertaken). 

Budget amendments since community engagement

• Average rate increase:  Reduced average rate rise from proposed 8.3% to 7.9%
• Reduced budget deficit from -$4,682,000 to -$4,082,000

Operating Revenue

• Increase in rates revenue from property growth from 1.3% to 1.82 of $293,000
• Increase in Roads to Recovery Grant Funding $458,000

Operating Expenses

• Added Strathalbyn Pool extension of opening hours $30,300
•  Added contribution to Mount Compass Netball Club court resurfacing $50,000
•  Added Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre budget update $49,000
•  Added remodelled interest expense at 5.5% $102,375
•  Removed Agribusiness Officer $70,631
•  Removed Enhanced Wayfinding Signage Strategy $50,000
•  Removed Lifeguard Services - Goolwa Beach $28,000

Capital Program

• Removed Strathalbyn Sound Shell capital $250,000 (operating cost $9,923)
• Removed Encounter Bikeway Design capital $350,000 (operating cost $9,625)
• Removed Chapman Road Public Amenity capital $700,000 (operating cost $38,500)
• Removed Pipers Crescent Public Amenity capital $575,000 (operating cost $31,625)
• Removed Armfield Slip Viewing Platform capital $30,000 (operating cost $1,650)
• Removed Excelsior Parade Pathway capital $160,000 (operating cost $8,800) 
• Removed BMX Track Clayton Bay capital $40,000 (operating cost $2,200)
• Removed Goolwa Yacht Club fence capital $30,000 (operating cost $1,650) 
• Removed Carry Forward Sugars Beach capital $500,000 (operating cost $27,500)

*Image by Duncan Grant (Pullen Island, Port Elliot)