The City of Mount Gambier 2022/2023 Annual Business Plan and Budget was adopted at a Special Council meeting held on Tuesday 28 June 2022. Council also adopted the Draft Long Term Financial Plan and Draft Asset Management Plans 2023-2032 at the meeting.
City of Mount Gambier CEO Sarah Philpott said the Annual Business Plan sets out Council’s proposed services, programs and projects for 2022/2023.
“It aims to maintain an efficient service for the community and continued progress towards the longer term objectives of the city as set out in the City of Mount Gambier 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.”
Specific objectives for the year are consistent with Council’s Long Term Financial Plan and Asset Management Plans to ensure the long term sustainability of Council’s financial performance and position.
– CEO Sarah Philpott
The budget outlines a total spend of $39.6 million in operating expenditure to deliver council services, and a total capital expenditure of $21.5 million has been allocated to renew, upgrade and build new assets, including the completion of the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre.
The 2022/2023 Annual Business Plan and Budget includes a 4.5 per cent rate increase in line with the Council’s Long Term Financial Plan and a commitment to the community to not raise rates beyond this amount.
The average residential ratepayer will pay $1,167 in 2022/2023, equating to an overall increase of $55 which is below the state average.
The fixed charge allocation percentage of rates (excluding the Waste Service Charge) has been reduced from 45 per cent to 37 per cent since the draft budget was released. This change has been made to offset the significant residential valuation increases in 2022/2023.
“After we received the relevant data to conduct our rates modelling, it was determined to reduce the fixed charge percentage of rates to offset increases in the average property values as determined by the Valuer-General,” Ms Philpott said.
Prior to adoption, members of the community were invited to provide feedback on the draft documents during the community consultation process which closed on Thursday 9 June 2022.
Five submissions were received and considered by Council at a Special meeting held on Tuesday 14 June 2022.
“We thank the members of the community who took the time to submit feedback and those who presented to Council at the meeting. It was a valuable opportunity for Council to listen to the needs and aspirations of those who live and work in our city,” Mayor Lynette Martin OAM said.
