Whyalla City Council has taken community feedback into consideration, implementing a revised rate rise of only 2.4%, while establishing extensive hardship funding for those most in need.
Council made a commitment at the beginning of the pandemic to support the community, and the budget provides another opportunity to further this support and minimise adverse impacts on businesses, industries and individuals that are doing it tough.
The budget is heavily focused on providing assistance to the community, including:
- Providing a 0% rate rise on average for pensioners
- Extending the waiver on lease and licence fees for community associations (making a total of six months’ relief for these organisations)
- Providing a remit on overdue fines for the first two rate instalments
- Freezing the Waste Service Charge at $350 (the 2019/20 rate)
The rate increase equates to an average of only $30 per annum – or just over 50 cents per week – for the average residential property, and will enable Council to sustainably fund the budget, while allowing for CPI cost increases (determined by March 2020 CPI).
This year’s budget has a continuing focus on economic development for the city, injecting $27.4 million into the local economy, including a $427,000 spend on local economic development (up from $171,000) and a $445,000 spend on grants, donations and events for the community.
Information on accessing hardship support will be available on the COVID-19 page of Council’s website prior to the issue of first quarter rate notices in late September. An update on how to access these resources will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
In the interim, Council strongly encourages anyone who is having difficulty paying their rates to make contact on 8640 3444 or council@whyalla.sa.gov.au and discuss the many assistance options available.
A full copy of Council’s Annual Business Plan and Budget 2020-21 is now available to view Council offices or by visiting Council’s website at https://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/council/documents-and-publications/annual-business-plans.