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UPGRADES: Work on Ada Ryan Gardens is proposed in the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget.
An extra $54 a year is set to take the city into a new year of more exciting developments, projects, initiatives and continued delivery of services.
That’s the increase Council is proposing for ratepayers in its 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget.
After three years of modest rate increases (1.9%, zero and 2.5%), Council CEO Chris Cowley said the proposed rise of 4% for the 2019-20 financial year will keep Whyalla on its upward track and in a position to continue improving our city on the back of increased business activity and jobs growth.
This suggested increase can vary, up or down, depending on the individual property value. The proposed rate rise and draft business plan and budget will still result in a $255,000 deficit for the financial year.
“We recognised Whyalla and its people were doing it a bit tough in recent times and we tightened our belts too so we could accommodate the 1.9%, zero and 2.5% increases of the last three years,” Mr Cowley said.
“Now things are looking up, we’ve remained committed to a lean-running Council operation but also need to raise the stakes slightly to keep Whyalla on its upward track.”
Mr Cowley said the proposed 4% rate rise would allow the city to put in place, and continue, important projects and initiatives. These include the $14m three-year roadworks program, upgrades to the marina, foreshore, Ada Ryan Gardens, footpaths and Memorial Oval with other projects to improve access to the Jim Pollock Whyalla Wetlands, tree and street sign replacement and a continuation of the strategic bicycle plan.
Other initiatives the proposed business plan and budget will accommodate include repairs to the HMAS Whyalla, foreshore boat ramp improvements, upgrades to the cemetery, a dog park shelter and a foreshore dune seeding projects.
“Most importantly, we want residents to have their say on this proposed rate rise, draft document and proposed way forward,” Mr Cowley said.
“Many of these projects and initiatives depend on a sensible and manageable rise in rate revenue.
“To have no rate rise would mean some projects would have to be put on the backburner and we would be effectively neglecting our responsibility to keep upgrading our city and provide better facilities now and for future generations.”
The proposed rate rise is one of many strategic considerations Council would like residents to comment on in the 2019-2020 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget. This draft document has been compiled to allow the public to have its say through an extensive public consultation process.
That process will include a public meeting on Wednesday June 5, starting 6.30pm, at the Whyalla Public Library with the draft document available for comment online and in hard copy form.
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 at http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/publicconsultation or hard copies can be obtained at the Council offices on Darling Terrace or at the library on Ekblom Street. 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.