Draft Budget Adopted
Key points:
- Whyalla City Council’s current budget is being developed in a challenging environment, including once-in-a-generation high inflation levels (7.9% CPI), which Council is unable to absorb
- Council has adopted a rate rise equal to a $2.35 increase per week for the average residential property (8.7% increase, of which 7.9% is CPI)
- The draft budget focuses on maintaining / improving existing services and assets, as well as prioritising:
- Liveability improvements (such as the Whyalla Health and Leisure Centre aquatic upgrades; and Surf Life Saving building redevelopment)
- Resolving legacy issues from ageing infrastructure
- The rate rise aligns with proposed rate rises across the state, including across the Eyre Peninsula where rises between 7.9% to 11.5% are proposed
- Anyone having difficulties paying their rates is encouraged to contact Council to find out about hardship payment plans
Whyalla City Council has adopted an adjusted 2023/24 (FY24) Annual Business Plan and Budget that considers the need to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Council; community feedback received; and the major projects identified for implementation.
This has resulted in a rate rise that equates to $2.35 per week for the average residential ratepayer, which is an increase of 0.8% plus the March Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 7.9%, for a total of 8.7%.
Mayor Phill Stone said Council had undertaken extensive community engagement over several months, including several well-attended information sessions.
“Responses from this engagement highlighted that residents largely understand the need for the rate rise to cover CPI, while ensuring no services are lost and Council debt is not increased,” Mayor Stone said.
“There was some concern over this being another cost of living increase for residents to absorb, which we understand. However, Council – like most businesses – is not in a position to absorb the significant cost increases that are being felt across the economy.
“It’s important to note that this aligns with the proposed rate rises across the state, with our Eyre Peninsula neighbours ranging from 7.9% to 11.5% proposed rises.”
| Tumby Bay | 11.50% | Port Lincoln | 9.50% |
| Ceduna | 10.50% | Whyalla | 8.70% |
| Cleve | 9.80% | Streaky Bay | 8.50% |
| Lower Eyre Peninsula | 9.64 | Kimba | 7.90% |
Mayor Stone said Council had listened to the community by already implementing ongoing cost saving initiatives and will begin a program of service reviews to ensure it is operating as efficiently as possible.
“As well as day-to-day services, the budget also needs to cover major projects that the community has identified as priorities, such as the Health and Leisure Centre aquatic upgrades and the Surf Life Saving building redevelopment,” he said.
“As such, this is the minimum rate rise we can implement to ensure all of this is achieved without going into unsustainable debt.”
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.
Mayor Stone reiterated that the current budget is being developed in a challenging environment, including once-in-a-generation high inflation levels which influence the majority of Council’s costs.
As well as the major liveability projects mentioned earlier, the budget also includes essential upgrades to the Whyalla Marina; and addressing legacy issues, particularly relating to maintaining ageing infrastructure designed for a population of greater than 50,000 people.
On top of this, the budget enables Council to continue to operate and invest in the many services and assets that the community has come to rely on, such as the library, airport, jetty, roads, footpaths, playgrounds and parks, among many others. The community have indicated that they value the vast array of services that Council provides, and it is important to ensure that these can continue to be provided into the future.
View the full document here
The draft Annual Business Plan and Budget community information sessions were well-attended, enabling residents to find out more detail about the need for the proposed rate rise.