Mayor Wayne Thorley highlighted the importance of finding the right balance to produce the best possible outcome for the Council over the next 12 months. "Following a year of resilience that saw the greatest natural disaster for our community in a generation, the Murray River Flood, we will continue to work together in the current financial climate to protect our Thriving Communities," he stated.
The Annual Business Plan was approved unchanged, in line with community sentiment following extensive community consultation. Feedback received indicated that the Plan is financially responsible, sustainable and sensitive to the cost of living pressures facing ratepayers.
Mayor Wayne Thorley said “Faced with a rise in property valuations of almost 20 percent, an Adelaide, March CPI (Consumer Price Index) of 7.9%, Murray River flood impacts and the general rising costs of doing business, our overriding concern for this budget has been to absorb the impact and buffer residents from further financial pain as much as possible.”
Through careful financial planning, Council has achieved approximately $1.4 million worth of savings in services and projects. Additionally, grant funding has been secured where possible, and the rate in the dollar for calculating rates was reduced by 10.1 percent.
This will still mean a higher rates increase for our community than we’ve experienced for some time at 6.9% but this will also ensure Council continues to deliver core services such as waste collection, road repairs and aged care to the same high standard our community expects.
In the coming year, several headline projects will be delivered to enhance the city's infrastructure and support economic growth. These projects include a wharf precinct upgrade as part of the Sturt Reserve Masterplan, the establishment of a Co-Working Business Hub and Economic Recovery Centre in the heart of Murray Bridge and the development of strategic plans to facilitate the future growth of our Rural City.
Mayor Thorley thanked community members who engaged in the consultation process who provided valuable feedback. "What's important to our community is important to Council and working together is how we continue to support our Thriving Communities."
