Draft 2022/2023 Annual Business Plan and Budget

Community Engagement Outcomes

During May 2022 Council engaged the Community on the Draft 2022/2023 Annual Business Plan and Budget and received 40 responses. On 5 July 2022 with consideration of community engagement outcomes, Council adopted the 2022/2023 Annual Business Plan and Budget (viewed in Council Agenda from page 31). 

You can view the Community Engagement Outcomes report for more information.

Project Details

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic Council is pleased to continue to have no borrowings and intends to remain this way in 2022/2023. Its recently adopted Long Term Financial Plan will enable Council to continue on its path of financial sustainability and ensure that its assets are replaced in accordance with Asset Management Plans during the next 10 years.

For 2022/2023, Council is proposing a General Rate increase of 3.50%, plus growth from newly created and developed properties of 1.07%. This rate increase will be the highest in the past 6 years, however it will be 1.20% lower than the recently announced CPI (Consumer Price Index).

The Draft 2022/2023 Budget is projecting an operating deficit of $1,685,954. The major reason for this is that 75% of Federal Government grants ($1.5m) have been received in 2021/2022 instead of 2022/2023. If the grants had been received in 2022/2023 as planned, the projected operating deficit would be in line with Council’s adopted Long Term Financial Plan.

What was proposed?

The Draft Plan includes a range of proposed and committed initiatives for the 2022/2023 financial year which help support Council’s Strategic Plan 2024 Vision of a ‘safe, sustainable, vibrant Community’. Council believes the proposed projects and services will greatly benefit the Community at this time.

About the Plan

The following projects included in the Draft Plan aim to stimulate the local economy and support the Community:

• Completing construction of a $1.5m synthetic pitch at Athelstone Recreation Reserve
• Continuing to improve open space across the Council at Denis Morrissey Reserve, Daly Oval, Fifth Creek, Foxfield Oval, Geoff Heath Golf Course, Liascos Avenue Reserve, Linear Park, Nightingale Reserve, Pamela Avenue Reserve, Paradise Primary School, Playford Road Reserve and River Torrens.
• Establishing the Newton Community Garden and staging a grand opening for the Thorndon Park Super Playground, following its completion later this year
• Employing an additional Field Staff member and establishing a cadetship/traineeship for young people
• Creating or replacing a number of fully accessible footpaths across the City and improving the condition of 14 streets through the scheduled reseal programs.

Consultation closed: 4pm, Friday 27 May 2022