The increase in Mount Gambier City Council rates has prompted an elected member to request a report about the operating costs of the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre.

Councillor Kate Amoroso has expressed that council’s financial activities are continually monitored.

“With council rates increasing significantly, far more than forecast in the previous long term financial plan, it is important that we continually monitor all council’s financial activities and especially with regards to Wulanda,” Cr Amoroso said.

“Wulanda continues to be a topic of conversation in the community with accolades for the services that it provides and also for the financial position it has placed council in with it creating the largest borrowings in the history of council.”

Cr Amoroso has submitted a notice of motion for inclusion in council’s July meeting, being held today.

Cr Amoroso intends to move a written report detailing the actual income and expenses in relation to the operating costs of Wulanda, to date, in comparison to the budgeted and anticipated income and expenses.

She requested the report be presented to council at its September monthly meeting.

In addition, Cr Amoroso has requested the report provide detailed explanation of any variations, and that details of all increases in interest rates incurred on all borrowings in regard to the Wulanda project and impact of variations on budgets and services are identified.

Furthermore, she is seeking a written report providing details of future anticipated increases and impacts these may have on council rates, budgets and services.

In her submission, Cr Amoroso said council’s financial position has been identified by the Audit Risk Committee as being council’s biggest risk after cyber security.

Cr Amoroso highlighted a quote from the Audit and Risk Committee report.

“The Financial Stability of the organisation remains a high risk due to the current financial climate and the organisational position required to operate within a deficit budget,” she said.