Port Augusta City Council 2024/25 Draft Annual Business Plan & Budget Community Consultation
The Port Augusta City Council’s Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for the 2024/25 rating year, will be open for community consultation during June, so the community can provide input.
Every year, Council makes important choices regarding services, facilities, upgrades, and new projects. These decisions are carefully considered in alignment with the Council's Long Term Financial Plan, which aims to ensure the financial sustainability of the organisation. The plan is also guided by the Council's Strategic Directions 2019-2029 and Infrastructure Asset Management Plans.
The Council faces the challenge of delivering a diverse range of services that meet the community's expectations while operating with a relatively low number of rate payers.
The 2024/25 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget proposes a 6.8% rate rise, which is based on CPI + 2%. This rise in rates will fund existing services, and if maintained over the medium term will ensure Council achieves a small surplus operating position by 2029/30. The rise comes off the back of the previous four years, where due to a number of reasons rates have risen less than CPI.
An operating deficit of $0.920 million is proposed which is an improved position on Council’s 2022/23 adopted Long Term Financial Plan which had forecast a deficit in 2024/25 of $1.759 million.
The basis of rating will be Capital Value with a fixed charge of $900, as per the 2023/24 financial year. Differential percentages are also the same as 2023/24 financial year.
After a period of three years since moving to Capital value, Council has removed rate capping when determining individual property rates. The effect of this will see a relatively small number of properties experience higher rates due to the removal of capping, while the majority of properties will experience a relatively lower rates due to the removal of capping.
Feedback from the community is very important – Having “Your Say” assists Council to understand the needs of the community.
Two community forums will be held in the Flinders Room, Central Oval Complex, Augusta Terrace, Port Augusta on Tuesday 4th June 2024.
Session one will be from 11.30am to 12.30pm and Session two will be from 5.30pm to 6.30pm to present the 2024/25 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget and provide an opportunity to meet with Elected Members and Council Officers to discuss the Business Plan and Budget.
To RSVP to attend the forums please visit https://www.trybooking.com/CSFVZ or email Colleen.Jackson@portaugusta.sa.gov.au or phone 8641 9144.
Copies of the Draft 2024/25 Annual Business Plan and Budget are available from:
- the Civic Centre’s front foyer
- Council’s website at https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/enquiries/your-say/current-consultation/annual-draft-budget-and-business-plan
Submissions may be made:
- Online through Council’s website via the ‘Your Say’ link https://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/enquiries/your-say/current-consultation/annual-draft-budget-and-business-plan
- In writing addressed to Chief Executive Officer, Port Augusta City Council, 4 Mackay Street (PO Box 1704), Port Augusta SA 5700
- Verbal submission to a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 18th June 2024. Registrations are required to attend the Special Council meeting email Colleen.Jackson@portaugusta.sa.gov.au or phone 8641 9144.
Feedback submissions must be received by 5pm on Friday 21st June 2024.
Please note that details of submissions will be included in a report within Council’s public agenda and copies of all submissions will be provided to Elected Members for perusal.
For further information please contact Council’s Media and Communications Officer on (08) 8641 9100
JOHN BANKS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
29/05/2024