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City flags 6.2pc rate hike

Posted on June 17, 2009, 8:08am

Mount Gambier ratepayers face a rate hike of up to 6.2pc next financial year as City Council seeks to raise $16.3m to deliver core services.

Council will need to raise $12.5m from rates — 6.2pc more than 2008-09.

The proposed rate hike, which could be trimmed to 4.7pc because of new developments in the city, is more than double Grant District Council’s, which announced a rate increase of just 2.3pc yesterday.

Wattle Range Council’s proposed rate increase is also 2.3pc.

Faced with a number of budgetary pressures, city council will need to meet the rising costs of providing essential services, maintaining its $120m asset portfolio and the construction of the multi-million-dollar library and main corner redevelopment.

The $15.6m inner city revitalisation is the cornerstone of the budget’s infrastructure program — the first annual principal and interest payment for $4m of borrowings will be about $345,000.

Large projects such as public lighting around the Blue Lake and the restoration of the Vansittart Park fence have been scrapped under the draft business plan.

But a number of smaller projects have been funded, including street lighting along O’Leary Road, upgrades to the aquatic centre (conversion to gas) and a new statewide program to fight childhood obesity in Mount Gambier.

Council has foreshadowed spending nearly $23m next financial year, which it will raise via rates, grants, user and statutory charges, as well as investment income.

Council’s business plan has been released for consultation and the first public meeting on the financial blueprint will be held on Tuesday at the council chambers at 6pm.

“The services provided by council are continually shaped by changes in community needs and expectations as well as a variety of external influences,” Mayor Steve Perryman said in the newly released draft business plan.

“Council is committed to the principles of financial sustainability and accountability to its community.”

Mr Perryman said council’s key strategy for 2009-10 was to continue to invest in the renewal and replacement of the city’s infrastructure and to maintain its wide-ranging community support programs and activities.

“Everything the council does across all of its areas of endeavour is towards maintaining our public infrastructure, building community capacity, adding to the value of Mount Gambier as a place of vibrancy and a superior quality of life,” he said.

Mr Perryman said council would continue to promote the city as a visitor destination, regional retail and commercial hub and quality destination to host major events.

Public comments and submissions close at noon on Tuesday.

SANDRA MORELLO

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Comments

One Response to “City flags 6.2pc rate hike”

  1. adrian doll on June 17th, 2009 8:23 pm 1

    After reading your article about the possible 6.2pc rate rise, I found myself wondering why do our city councillors and mayor need a new car supplied (with fuel ) every couple of years?

    Maybe i’s time have a close look at council to see what “perks” they get, and do they really need them?

    I have no problem paying my rates each year, as it is a requirement to our community, but I think any unnecessary spending should stop. I wonder if council will let The Border Watch be privy to all expenditure.

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