City Council to consider business plan feedback as low attendance recorded at special meeting

A perceived outpouring of community concern failed to eventuate at Mount Gambier City Council’s special budget meeting on Tuesday, with only a handful of submissions received.

The special council meeting was arranged to enable the public to make submissions and ask questions before council adopts the final 2024/2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget and related strategic management plans.

Following public consultation five verbal submissions had been requested to take place at the special meeting.

However, only three were present when the meeting took place.

All nine elected council members were in attendance, along with Mayor Lynette Martin, chief executive Sarah Philpott and administration staff.

The meeting was open to the public and saw around 30 members of the public in attendance.

Mayor Lynette Martin allowed each speaker five minutes for verbal submission which was followed by question and answer time open to those who sought further information from council staff.

Mount Gambier Residents and Ratepayers Association chair Di Ind was among those to present feedback.

Ms Ind provided a global response on behalf of the association, which she said reflected the widespread community concern that has been communicated.

“The association acknowledged the complexities of the issues and comments and commend all council staff in attempting to balance the competing issues of the budget verses community expectations,” she said.

“Our Facebook stats indicated approximately 10,000 reach and engagement within 48 hours when we posted the draft Business Plan and Budget.

“There were three core issues that were repeated themes that indicated to us about this document felt by many members of our community.”

Ms Ind attempted to address the issues of trust, communication and open and transparent government.

Resident Graham Walkom also presented feedback, as well as Vivian Hooper on behalf of Shayne Haggis who had submitted an emailed response during the consultation period.

Retired electrical and mechanical engineer and former councillor Mr Walkom spoke in relation to his detailed 18-page submission, containing 50 questions and comments.

“I absolutely appreciate the time (council) has put in over these difficult few years,” he said.

“It is a special council or manager to constructively and objectively perceive such input from those outside the organisation when substantial internal decisions have already been developed.

“If you ask if I can see any minor changes for further efficiencies I must answer no, not minor, but very significant ones. I stress a value for money measure.

“Most unfortunately your consultation program does not allow time for full and objective ratepayer input, council consideration and adjustment to the ABP.”

Ms Hooper read aloud Mr Haggis’ written submission which expressed his opposition to the “substantial rate rise”.

His submission can be viewed in full in the meeting agenda and minutes.

Though the consultation process took into consideration council’s draft Long Term Financial Plan and Asset and Management Plans, Mayor Martin stated the meeting was for the purpose of the draft Annual Business Plan and Budget and provided an overview on council’s budget process.

“Council needs to balance maintaining and improving assets and services with long term financial sustainability,” she said.

“Due to past efforts to minimise rate increases, we now face the necessity of raising rates to cover growing costs and ensure future sustainability. Council explored many options … seven workshops to arrive at this decision.

“A proposed general rates increase of 10.24%, excluding growth, is under consideration.

“When council proposed to smooth rates over the three years from the 2023/24 Budget, it stated that this excluded the impact of asset valuations for infrastructure.

“Councils across South Australia, like the City of Mount Gambier, have faced similar challenges as a result of asset valuations and have increased their rates as a response to increased depreciation and cost of capital works program.

“Council’s depreciation of $11.9m is $1.1m above the adopted long term financial plan, that is equivalent to a 4.83% increase in general rates.”

The next step is council will consider the written and verbal submissions further at a budget workshop before being presented to council at a meeting to adopt the 2024/2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget on June 25.

The public consultation process generated 11 submissions and included comment on the rate increase, Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre, hardship, expenditure and transparency.

Waste management, grant funding, planning and consultation process were also key themes highlighted.

Council will formally consider all feedback on the Draft 2024/2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget following the special council meeting.

Copies of the submissions and a full report with council responses have been made available online at www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/council/minutes-agendas/council.