The City of Mount Gambier has formally adopted its 2025/2026 Annual Business Plan and Budget along with the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) following a Special Council Meeting held on Tuesday 24 June 2025.
The plan outlines the delivery of services, strategic priorities and a balanced financial position, with total budgeted expenditure of $52.2 million.
Mayor Lynette Martin said the budget reflects a responsible and community focused approach to financial planning and service delivery.
"We have worked hard to deliver a balanced budget that supports ongoing investment in services, infrastructure renewal and the long term sustainability of our city. This plan has been shaped by community feedback and sets a strong foundation for the year ahead," Mayor Martin said.
Key features of the 2025/2026 budget:
- $26.801 million to be raised from general rates.
- A 7.81% increase in general rate revenue (excluding growth).
- A 10.61% increase in the Waste Service Charge (WSC) at $344.00 per assessment, to better reflect the actual cost of service delivery.
Council endorsed a lower rate increase than initially proposed in the draft budget, reducing it from 8.18% to 7.81% from 1 July 2025.
Chief Executive Officer Sarah Philpott explained that the final rate adjustment reflects updated growth figures.
"The draft budget included an 8.18% rate increase plus 0.5% growth, an 8.68% total increase in rate revenue. However, actual growth for the year rose to 0.87%, allowing us to reduce the rate increase to 7.81% while maintaining the same overall revenue target," Ms Philpott said.
For the average residential ratepayer, this equates to an increase of approximately $33.00 per quarter, including the Waste Service Charge (WSC). - City of Mount Gambier CEO Sarah Philpott
"It's important to note this 7.81% figure refers to the total revenue collected from rates, not necessarily the rate change experienced by individual property owners - that will vary depending on each property's valuation."
The plan outlines a range of initiatives aligned to the Strategic Plan 2024-2028, Asset Management Plans and the Mount Gambier 2035 Community Vision, including:
- Blue Lake/Warwar solar lighting renewal: commencing a two-year upgrade program with potential co-funding opportunities.
- Civic Centre renewal: roof and lift replacement in partnership with Country Arts SA.
- CBD master planning and activation: completion of master plan and funding to implement short term activation.
- Road infrastructure: reconstruction of Lake Terrace East and Wireless Road West (Roads to Recovery funding), and Davison Drive (subject to Special Local Roads Funding).
- James Street public toilets: renewal in line with asset planning.
- Shared path extension: Rail Trail extension to O'Leary Road in line with the Shared Path Master Plan.
- Master planning for open spaces: Planning for Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul, with future work proposed for Vansittart Park, Olympic Park, and Hastings Cunningham Reserve.
- Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre: continued activation, including capital upgrades to the AV system.
- Continued review and implementation of a hub-and-spoke visitor servicing model.
- Strategic unlocking projects to enhance organisational performance and data-driven decision making.
The draft Annual Business Plan and Budget was informed by extensive community engagement, including two public information sessions, 23 written submissions and a Special Meeting to hear verbal submissions, held on 17 June 2025.
"We sincerely thank our community for their active participation in the budget process. Key topics of interest included the rate increase, ESCOSA guidance, cost-saving initiatives, the strategic plan and the range of services provided," Mayor Martin said.
"In response to a verbal submission from Substance Misuse Limestone Coast, Council will allocate $20,000 from the Grants and Sponsorships Program to support the Limestone Coast Alcohol and Other Drugs Regional Summit 2025 and related training initiatives."
"Additionally, following a verbal submission at the Special Meeting, Council has committed $25,000 from the Strategic Capacity Fund to support improvements at Frew Park, aimed at enhancing safety and amenity and reducing antisocial behaviour."
The Annual Business Plan and Budget 2025/2026 is available here. Performance against the plan will be reported on quarterly to Council and the community.
In addition, Council reviewed and adopted the Rating Policy (R105) and Rate Rebate Policy (R155), incorporating changes to improve clarity and ensure alignment with the Local Government Act 1999 and feedback from the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA).
