Mount Gambier City Council ratepayers will pay an average additional $119 per year in rates after the council last week adopted its budget.
Council last week adopted its Annual Business Plan and Budget (ABP&B) 2024/2025, Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) 2025/2034 and the Asset Management Plans (AMPs) 2025/2034 at a special meeting.
After an initial proposed rate increase of 10.24%, council opted for a 10.13% increase in general rate revenue, excluding growth of 1.11%, however including growth the total rate increase is 11.24%.
The average residential ratepayer will pay $1342 (excluding the Waste Service Charge) in 2024/25 which equates to an overall increase of $119 per annum, or $4 per week.
The Waste Service Charge (WSC) which highlights the cost to deliver waste services, will increase from $217.70 per year to $311 per year, per property in 2024/2025.
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin thanked the community for the feedback received during the Draft 2024/2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget consultation process.
“Budget deliberations have been particularly challenging this year as we grapple to balance priorities while also being mindful of the cost of living pressures and the provision of service delivery required to meet community expectations and ensure that c ouncil is positioned for long term financial sustainability,” she said.
“Elected Members have engaged in the most robust budget discussions I have been part of in my six years as Mayor and I can assure you that no stone was left unturned to balance council’s short and long term financial obligations for creating capacity to deliver what the community expects in 2024/2025.
“Like everyone in the community, council is feeling the pressure of cost escalations and has attempted to minimise the impact of increasing costs for our ratepayers for several years. We have previously absorbed the impact of growth and rated below CPI and we are now unable to continue to absorb the true additional service and waste costs and therefore must increase rates.”
The council vote recorded in the minutes for the ABP&B and LTFP was split six to one, with Cr Josh Lynagh, Cr Jason Virgo, Cr Frank Morello, Cr Max Bruins, Cr Paul Jenner and Cr Sonya Mezinec voting in favour of the items, and Cr Kate Amoroso voting against the items.
Cr Mark Lovett was an apology for the meeting.
All Elected Members present at the meeting voted in favour of the Asset Management Plan 2024/25.
Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship can access relief options, including alternative payment plans.
Contact the rates office on 08 8721 2561 or email city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au for assistance.
