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ACHIEVED: The new security lights in Civic Park.
The City of Whyalla has spent more than $2m on major projects this year but still remains on track for a $47,121 operating surplus.
This was one of the highlights outlined in the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget as it looked back at the current 2018-19 financial year.
The new draft plan and budget is currently open for public consultation with the reflection on last year an important factor as Council plans for the year ahead.
This surplus was a hard-fought one after a modest 2.5% rate rise, decided on by the elected members and after public consultation, in the 2018-2019 Annual Business Plan and Budget. The projects, delivery of all services and surplus was achieved with a general tightening of the operational belt, cost reduction measures across all Council operations and several key Council employment positions put on hold.
Some of the achievements in 2018-19 include $586,000 spent on roads, more than $250,000 in marina upgrades, $170,000 in recreation centre improvements, $146,000 in safety measures at Civic Park and a comprehensive stormwater management plan for the city. Many of these projects were supplemented by grants sourced by Council.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said he was enormously proud of Council staff for working with such a tight budget after Council listened and acted on resident feedback, and elected members’ views, to settle on the 2.5% rate rise for the 2018-19 year. There was no rate rise the previous year.
“Hats off to all our staff for achieving all these projects and maintaining services within a very tight budget over the last two years,” Mr Cowley said.
“We were several people down with some senior people, who had left Council, not replaced to help balance this budget.
“I’d like to thank all our Council staff on behalf of the Whyalla community.”
Mr Cowley said residents could again have their say on Council’s critical draft plan and budget looking forward to the next financial year.
The 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget contains information on the maintenance of existing services and new initiatives while following the strategic direction outlined in Council’s Strategic Plan, Long Term Management Plan and Infrastructure and Asset Management Plan.
Residents can submit their views on the vision and core values, community strategic plan framework, Council services, annual business plan and rates revenue. The document also contains full financial statements for the year.
The 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget, Rating Policy, Draft Summary Fees and Charges and Draft Long Term Financial Plan documents can be viewed online on at http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/publicconsultation or hard copies are available at the Council offices on Darling Terrace or the Whyalla Public Library.
Submissions can be made until Thursday, June 13, 2019 and can be submitted in writing to council@whyalla.sa.gov.au or by post Box 126, Whyalla SA 5600.
To help residents have their say and obtain more information, Council will be holding a Public Consultation meeting at the Whyalla Public Library on Wednesday, June 5, starting at 6.30pm.
SNAPSHOT: A page from the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget