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WELL ATTENDED: Director Infrastructure Kristen Clark addresses the public consultation meeting this week.
City of Whyalla CEO Chris Cowley has praised the Whyalla residents who attended an “extremely positive” public consultation meeting this week.
More than 20 interested residents turned out for the meeting at the Whyalla Library on Wednesday, June 5, including representatives from the Whyalla Residents & Ratepayers Association, to hear Council officers outline the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget.
The residents were given a run down on many aspects of the draft plan and budget which is currently in an extensive public consultation stage. Details were heard on the proposed 4% rate rise that will help fund major projects, new initiatives, the retention and improvement of services and the maintenance and increase of city assets.
“Public consultation was the key theme at this meeting,” Mr Cowley said.
“This meeting, and the whole public consultation process, will keep the public informed and allow Council to gain valuable feedback on the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget,” Mr Cowley said.
“We have put together this draft document and we now want as much input as possible from the community before we implement it.
“The document is available online and in Council offices but to stand up in front of residents to discuss and answer questions on these plans is real engagement with the community and one of the best ways to gain feedback.
“Nothing in this document, including the proposed rate rise of 4%, is set in stone … it is all just carefully researched and formulate proposals that we want to run by residents and hear what community members think about the way forward.”
Mr Cowley thanked the residents that came along to the meeting to listen and ask questions.
“It was an extremely positive meeting, there was great feedback, some very constructive ideas and good questions raised,” Mr Cowley said.
“We will take all of that information, feedback and submissions on board when it comes to settling on the final business plan.”
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 obtain hard copies at the Council offices on Darling Terrace.
To allow the public a greater opportunity to have input, the deadline for submissions has now been extended to Tuesday, June 25, 2019. They can be put in writing to council@whyalla.sa.gov.au or by post Box 126, Whyalla SA 5600.
The public has another opportunity to ask questions and make submissions on the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget at Council’s ordinary meeting on Monday, June 17, 2019, that starts at 5.30pm.