Draft 2024/25 Budget Adopted
20 June 2024
Key points:
- Whyalla City Council has adopted a rate rise equal to a $2 increase per week for the average residential property (5% increase, of which 4.3% is CPI)
- The actual change to individual properties’ rating level will differ due to the State Government’s legislated requirement to change to Capital Value
- Council’s draft budget for 2024/2025 (FY25) focuses on maintaining / improving existing services and assets, as well as prioritising:
- The Foreshore water play and community plaza project
- Recreation Centre efficiency and operating cost improvements
- Resolving legacy issues from ageing infrastructure and outdated lease agreements
- The rate rise aligns with proposed rate rises across the state, including across the Eyre Peninsula and Upper Spencer Gulf, where rises between 4.3% and 9.5% are proposed
- - Council encourages anyone having difficulties paying their rates to contact council to find out about hardship payment plans
Whyalla City Council has adopted its FY25 Annual Business Plan and Budget, which focuses on maintaining existing services and assets, as well as several projects to reduce debt and improve the city’s liveability.
This has resulted in a rate rise of $2 per week for the average residential ratepayer, which is an increase of 0.7% plus the March Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 4.3%, for a total of 5%.
Focuses of the budget include:
- The foreshore water park and community plaza, incorporating water play; outdoor adventure play (with junior and senior obstacles); wave lawn; scooter track; and shelter and seating
- This continues to be heavily reliant on securing government funding
- Recreation Centre efficiency and operating cost improvements – including installation of solar panels – helping reduce its impact on council’s budget
- Library renewal (primarily focused on new mobile shelving and floor refurbishment), aimed to make the facility more multi-functional and able to cater for more events
- Resolving legacy issues from ageing infrastructure and outdated lease agreements, helping reduce their burden on ratepayers
View the adopted budget here (page 86)
Mayor Phill Stone said council had spent significant time preparing a budget that ensured services valued by the community continued and essential maintenance and development progressed; while at the same time tightening expenditure.
“While we have a potential economic development opportunity ahead of us with the State Government’s prosperity plans, we still have the need for a year or so of ‘steady-as-she-goes’ outlooks,” Mayor Stone said.
“We are well aware of cost-of-living issues and the impact they have on society, and have certainly taken those into account in setting this year’s rates.
“However, it is not possible for any local government to absorb rising costs on the multitude of services it provides for the community and the assets that must be maintained, without cutting services – something council has worked hard to avoid.
“It’s important to note that this aligns with the proposed rate rises across the state, with our Eyre Peninsula and Upper Spencer Gulf neighbours ranging from 4.3% to 9.5% proposed rises.”
Tumby Bay | 9.50% | Cleve | 6.30% | Streaky Bay | 5.00% |
Lower Eyre Peninsula | 7.30% | Elliston | 6.30% | Port Pirie | 4.95% |
Port Augusta | 6.80% | Franklin Harbour | 5.50% | Ceduna | 4.30% |
Port Lincoln | 6.30% | Wudinna | 5.00% | Kimba | 4.30% |
Mayor Stone said the suburban councils that had tried to keep rate rises to zero or below CPI in recent years are now facing significant financial issues.
“It is simply unfair and unrealistic to expect local government to reduce its services to such an extent that the community ultimately suffers, in an endeavour to counter all other areas of cost-of-living pressures,” he said.
“We will continue to work closely with the community to get ‘bang for buck’ for ratepayers, focusing on priorities, but by necessity, not always being able to satisfy everyone’s ‘wish list’.”
Although there is an overarching rate increase of 5%, it is important to note that the actual change to individual properties’ rating level will differ due to the State Government’s legislated requirement to change to Capital Value. As a result, 50% of properties will see a less-than 6% increase – including an actual decrease in rates in some instances – while 50% will have a higher-than 6% increase. Council does not raise any additional rate revenue out of this change to Capital Value, apart from the 5% increase in rates outlined above.
Mayor Stone said he empathised with those already struggling with cost-of-living pressures and encouraged people to contact council to review the many payment options available.
“We have a hardship program that ensures anyone having difficulties paying their rates can access a plan to ease the burden, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you need assistance,” he said.