Whyalla City Council has listened to the community, adopting a finalised 2021/22 (FY22) Annual Business Plan and Budget that reflects feedback received from residents.

Council undertook extensive community engagement over a number of months, with residents identifying improved liveability, Council facilities and service delivery as their key priorities.

Consultation focused on the need for a 5.6% increase ($71 per year on average), comprising a 3.6% rate rise (in line with Council’s Long Term Financial Plan), plus an additional 2% rise to address Council’s current deficit and avoid service level reductions. However, a reduced rate rise has ultimately been adopted based on community feedback.

Community engagement and participation was fantastic across a number of these consultation sessions, with residents pleased to see such extensive engagement opportunities.

Most of those consulted accepted that a one-off higher rate increase was required to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Council; fund the delivery of projects that add to the liveability of our city; and avoid any reduction in current services or service levels. However, others thought an additional rate increase was not affordable and would prefer services be reduced to avoid higher rates.

Council ultimately chose to seek a compromise between these views, adopting a rate rise of 4.3%, which equates to an increase on average of $54 for this year – or about $1 per week for the average ratepayer – while needing to consider service level savings.

Some of the major projects in the FY22 plan that will address the community’s priorities of improved liveability and facilities include:

• Delivery of the $4.1m Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Tourism and Environmental Management Project (including $2m in State Government funding), creating a huge tourism boost while offering more activities for locals
• The final year of a major three-year, $14 million road and footpath renewal program
• New $900,000 Jubilee Park changeroom (including $424,000 in State Government funding), catering for a variety of sports and increasing our available sporting amenities, enabling us to attract larger regional / statewide events
• $600,000 investment in the Whyalla Recreation Centre to protect its long-term future
• Progressing the Foreshore Master Plan consultation, design and implementation process
• $230,000 retrofitting of the former foreshore café building
• A focus on continuous improvement, in particular an improved customer experience

The reduced rate rise (compared to what was proposed) means Council will need to identify $175,000 in annual savings to help address its ongoing deficit. These will need to come from a combination of service level reductions and internal efficiency savings.

Services and service levels will be reviewed to find the most appropriate way to minimise the cost of service delivery and impacts on the community.

These savings will be identified in FY22 and implemented in FY23.

Anyone who is having difficulty paying their rates is encouraged to make contact with Council on 8640 3444 or council@whyalla.sa.gov.au and discuss the many assistance options available.