Draft 2022/23 Annual Business Plan Open for Community Comment

Coorong residents and ratepayers are invited to view and provide comment on Coorong District Council’s draft 2022/23 Annual Business Plan and Budget, which is now open for consultation.

Building on the themes of Council’s 2021-25 Community Vision Plan, the draft 2022/23 Annual Business Plan and Budget presents a financially responsible budget for the new incoming Council to manage following the local government elections in November.

Mayor Paul Simmons encourages all Coorong residents to read the draft Plan and provide written feedback by Friday, 10 June 2022.

“The next 12 months will see Coorong District Council continue to take a back-to-basics approach, with a primary focus on delivering key infrastructure projects and supporting our existing assets,” says Mayor Simmons.

“We will focus on maximising external funding opportunities to deliver on longer term projects such as sealed and unsealed roads renewal, and road and high risk intersection upgrades.”

“The delivery of key projects and services will be balanced against the need to continue working towards financial sustainability in a fair and equitable way, ensuring a responsible budget for the incoming Council to manage.”

Key initiatives and projects for 2022/23 include:

• 50% increase to the unsealed road re-sheeting program (to 60km per year)
• Undertake the 2022 Local Government Elections
• Streetscape master planning for Tintinara, Coonalpyn & Tailem Bend
• Implementation of first-year findings of the Growth Strategy
• $137,000 allocated to the Council’s footpath renewal and expansion program
• Improvement to mobile black spots through construction of two new mobile phone towers at Colebatch and Narrung ($1.4 million Commonwealth grant)

While sustainability is a key focus – reflected through an initial forecast 4.1% rate increase in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan, a more modest 3% rate increase for 2022/23 is being proposed, which will be balanced by a further decreased $150 fixed charge (down from $250 in 2022/23).

This is supported by a 10% rate cap upon request, and availability of a comprehensive rates hardship package for residents.

Public consultation on the 2022/23 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget is now open and will close at 9:00am on Friday, 10 June 2022.

Residents are encouraged to attend a Community Information Session (being held across the district this week) to find out more about the draft Annual Business Plan and Budget first-hand.

The draft 2022/23 Annual Business Plan and Budget is available to view on Coorong District Council’s website or by visiting any Coorong District Council office.

Also open for consultation is Council’s draft schedule of fees and charges for 2022/23. The document can be accessed on Council’s website and feedback is also invited until 9:00am on Friday, 10 June 2022.

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Contact:

Bridget Mather
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | COORONG DISTRICT COUNCIL
Phone: 1300 785 277 | E: bmather@coorong.sa.gov.au

Community Information Sessions

Residents are invited to attend a community information session on the draft 2022/23 Annual Business Plan:

• Peake Memorial Hall, 6pm, Tuesday 24 May 2022
• Meningie Bowling Club, 6pm, Wednesday 25 May 2022
• Tailem Bend Town Hall Function Centre, 6pm, Thursday 26 May 2022