Media response - budget and annual business plan

Published on 30 June 2023

Response to the Fleurieu Sun.

  • The journalist requested some comments from the mayor regarding the adoption of council's 2023-24 Annual Business Plan and Budget.

Comments attributed to Mayor Moira Were

The 2023–24 Budget and Annual Business Plan have struck a careful balance between meeting long-term financial sustainability, and the community’s needs and expectations.

We know the community is feeling the impact of cost-of-living pressures, and the council is feeling those same pressures in the costs of services and materials.

So, we worked hard to find $8.34 million in savings, and limited the increase in rates to the March 2023 CPI figure of 7.9 per cent, lower than the 8.6 per cent initially proposed.

This presents a realistic and sustainable budget that ensures we can continue to deliver the services, projects and events our community needs and expects.

A huge thank you to everyone who provided their feedback during the community engagement process.

One result of this feedback was a review of our Financial Hardship Policy in relation to rates, and we’re considering options to better assist those in hardship.

If rising living costs are causing you genuine hardship, please call council's Customer Relations team on 8384 0666.

Subject to eligibility, you can access support measures including payment plans and postponement of rates for seniors.

ENDS

More information

The 2023–24 budget supports ongoing council services such as waste, roads, footpaths, lighting, parks and trails, libraries, arts, bushfire prevention, community programs and economic development.

Major projects planned for the year include:

  • $6.5 million in sport and recreation projects including the Noarlunga United Soccer clubroom, Aldinga Oval changerooms, Aldinga Sports Park, Knox Park, and Aldinga skate park, plus a $5.2 million redevelopment of the Paul Murray Recreation Centre
  • Refurbishment of the Hopgood Theatre
  • A Minkarra Park link path, the $4 million Willunga to Aldinga shared-use path, and $4.2 million development of the Port Willunga Coast Park
  • Expansion of the Aberfoyle Park Community Centre
  • Road safety upgrades to Flour Mill Road Aldinga, Old Coach Road Maslin Beach and a number of McLaren Vale intersections
  • Development of a coastal adaptation plan, and planting of 6000 trees
  • Implementation of the Beach Road Tourism Action Plan in Christies Beach.

ENDS

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