“We’ve listened to our community, worked hard to manage our finances and identify efficiencies across the organisation, to enable us to propose a CPI rate increase for the coming year,” said Mayor Erin Thompson.
Rates in the draft budget were aligned to December CPI, which at the time of the budget’s development was one per cent.
However, the final annual budget will include the March 2021 CPI of 1.2 per cent, to ensure it reflects the latest inflationary pressures that could affect council.
“Our goal was to minimise the financial strain on households as much as we possibly could, while still delivering the essential services and infrastructure our residents need,” Mayor Thompson said.
“And, with new Long Term Financial Plan measures now in place to more effectively manage and reduce debt over time, we will see a return to a balanced budget within the next four years.
“This is a plan for our residents and our city’s future, so I want to encourage everyone in Onkaparinga to review our draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2021–22 at council’s Your Say page.
“This plan is about delivering what’s important to our residents and making absolutely sure their rates are spent responsibly.”
Some of the major projects to be delivered within the $205.9 million budget include:
- redevelopment of Port Noarlunga’s Wearing Street Precinct, delivering new facilities for existing aquatic user groups, improved and safer river access, upgraded vehicle and trailer parking, and new public toilets and public art. Construction subject to external funding, land transfer and necessary approvals
- constructing the Witton Bluff Base Trail between Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga
- construction of a new multi-use sports building at the Port Noarlunga Sports Complex, which services all current sports, and responds to the anticipated sport and recreation needs of the community
- an investment in the new Aldinga Payinithi College indoor recreation and sporting facilities to ensure new, high quality facilities for community use outside of school hours
- finalising construction and commencing operation of the new Southern Material Recovery Facility at the SRWRA site in Seaford Heights, to ensure southern councils can process their own recyclables
- improving the maintenance program for 1953 hectares of open space, including parks, sports grounds, trees, natural assets, biodiversity, playgrounds and urban furniture
- continuing to work towards improved Kaurna engagement through the establishment of the First Nations People Advisory Group
- continuing to deliver the Go South Go Local campaign to support local businesses and the local economy
- developing a climate change action plan to set the direction of our future climate change response
- introducing a web chat service to increase the options available to residents to seek information about council services
- continuing to deliver essential services to support vulnerable people in our communities.
Head to council’s Your Say page for more information.