City of Mount Gambier will shape and finalise the 2027/2028 Annual Business Plan and Budget following the April 2027 local government elections, ensuring incoming elected members can determine priorities, consider community feedback and make the final budget decisions for the year ahead.
Council endorsed the post-election approach at its meeting on Tuesday 20 October 2026 in response to the State Government altered timing of the local government elections from November 2026 to April 2027.
Importantly, budget planning will continue in the lead up to and during the election period. Council administration will undertake detailed budget preparation and financial modelling, guided by Council's Strategic Plan, Asset Management Plans and Long Term Financial Plan.
Following the elections, elected members will undertake induction and financial briefings and participate in a structured program of budget workshops before the draft Annual Business Plan and Budget is released for community consultation.
City of Mount Gambier CEO Paul Simpson said the approach strengthens the connection between community priorities, the electoral process and Council's financial planning.
"The Annual Business Plan and Budget is the primary mechanism through which Council priorities are translated into funded programs, services and infrastructure investment," Mr Simpson said.
"This approach gives the newly elected Council the opportunity to guide budget deliberations and make decisions that reflect the priorities of the community that elected them."
"Importantly, our community will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft plan and budget directly to the elected members who will make the final decisions."
The final Annual Business Plan and Budget is expected to be presented to Council for adoption in July 2027, ahead of the statutory deadline of 15 August 2027.
"We require a different approach to Council's traditional budget development timetable following the State Government's decision to alter the timing of the local government elections. All statutory requirements will still be met, including due community consultation."
The endorsed approach enables the new Council to participate in budget deliberations before community consultation and consider feedback before making its final decisions.
The endorsed process complies with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1999, which requires the Annual Business Plan and Budget to be adopted after 31 May 2027 and, except in circumstances involving extraordinary administrative difficulty, before 15 August 2027.
Council administration will now finalise the detailed project timetable and continue preparations ahead of the April 2027 elections.
