City of Mount Gambier residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the 2021/2022 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget (ABP&B) and proposed Waste Service Charge (WSC) formally endorsed at the Council meeting last night 18 May 2021.
The draft budget supports the strategies, initiatives, services and projects aligned with Council's Strategic Plan 2020-2024, Long Term Financial Plan and Infrastructure and Asset Management Plan.
The draft budget outlines a total spend of $34.5 million in operating expenditure, including depreciation of $7.7 million, and total capital expenditure of $55.8 million for the delivery of services and programs and asset management, including $45.2 million towards the development of the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre.
"Council froze rates and fees in this year's budget as part of its multi-million-dollar COVID-19 stimulus and recovery initiative Our City, Our Response," City of Mount Gambier Acting CEO Barbara Cernovskis said.
"Now that our community is finding its feet again following the pandemic, the 4.5% average annual rate increase will be reinstated on rates notices in 2021/2022 as outlined in the Long Term Financial Plan."
The delivery of services such as the Library, Mount Gambier Visitor Information Services, The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre, parks, gardens, infrastructure and asset maintenance, waste collection and disposal continue to represent significant components of Council's budget.
