Working towards long-term sustainability, and retaining vital Council and community services will be the focus of the Coorong District Council’s plans for 2020/21, having endorsed its draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for community consultation on 19 May 2020.

Coorong District Council recognises the challenges this community has recently faced, which has included the COVID-19 crisis, and impacts of drought and bushfire in some areas.

Mayor Paul Simmons says these challenges and impacts were taken into account when drafting the annual business plan and budget.

“This has been a key factor in developing the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget. We know our community and business sector are facing financial pressures and further economic uncertainty,” Mayor Simmons says.

“We are focused on pursuing and implementing cost savings and efficiencies, without compromising vital community services.

“We will ensure that rate increases are kept to a minimum, however we will also look to improve the Council’s overall operating result.

“We have been fortunate in being afforded some great grant funding opportunities through the State and Federal Governments for projects that will further benefit our district, and we will continue to look for these opportunities.”

Key initiatives and projects for 2020/21:

• Complete the Tailem Bend public toilets upgrade
• Delivery of Phase 2 Drought Communities Programme Extension projects
• Delivery of Meningie North Jetty upgrade and floating pontoon, and Revitalising Raukkan projects (funded through Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program)
• Maintain service standards on unsealed roads
• Development of Council’s new Community Strategic Plan
• Rating and representation reviews
• Ongoing service reviews

In response to the economic challenges facing the community, Coorong District Council has balanced the need to continue working towards financial sustainability with its ratepayers’ ability to pay.

It is proposed that the average net general rate and fixed charge will not increase for 2020/21.

A comprehensive hardship package is being offered to ratepayers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis or other challenges, which includes long term payment arrangements, waiving monthly fines and quarterly interest on overdue payments, and suspending all debt recovery action.

“We know that for some of our ratepayers there is a high degree of financial uncertainty at this time,” Mayor Simmons says.

“We will continue to offer support for those who are genuinely struggling in the months to come, and I strongly encourage anyone who needs that extra assistance to contact Council. There are ways we can help our residents and businesses get through these tough times.”

Public consultation on the 2020/21 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget is now open and will close at 5:00pm, Friday 12 June 2020. The community is invited to read the draft Plan and submit feedback by visiting Council's website.

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