Balancing the needs of a growing community while continuing to lay the foundations for future generations is front and centre for the City of Playford's Draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget (ABP).
Open for community consultation from Wednesday 30 April, the Draft ABP outlines Council's commitment to delivering services, renewing infrastructure and facilities, and projects that support the Playford community to thrive and access opportunities.
This year's Draft ABP outlines that Council will continue to invest over $125M in supporting the delivery of existing services and Mayor Glenn Docherty explained that by making responsible decisions that lead to sustainable, long-term benefits for Playford, the everyday lives of our residents will flourish.
"Council is dedicated to delivering the things that make a difference to our community. This includes services that contribute to a happy and healthy community and programs that help keep our city looking nice and operating safely," Mayor Docherty said.
"We are also committed to finishing what we have started. This involves making sure projects which bring parks and sporting facilities to life are completed, as well as committing to improving stormwater infrastructure and footpaths."
Financial sustainability has been a focus in the development of this year's draft plan, ensuring Council has the means to fund the services and projects it provides to the community now and into the future.
The draft plan includes a 4.54 per cent increase in rate revenue for 2025/26 to fund new projects and services that the community has asked for, while covering rising costs due to inflation and meeting budget goals that support long-term financial sustainability.
"We will continue to deliver on the everyday needs of our community, mindful that the decisions we make today will shape our city and community over the next five, ten and twenty years," Mayor Docherty said.
Council will also invest $38.4M in renewing or replacing existing assets such as kerbs, footpaths, roads, playspaces and sporting facilities.
New projects for 2025/26 include the construction of Riverlea District Sportsground (North) Stage 1, kerb and footpath infrastructure along Stebonheath Road at Eyre, unsealed road capping, city uplift projects for two roundabouts, 3 kilometres of new footpaths, open space improvements and traffic management.
As part of the joint delivery of Council's growth area infrastructure obligations, we will also commence planning and design for the intersection of Curtis Road and Frisby Road at Angle Vale.
Council is seeking feedback on its Draft Annual Business Plan 2025/26, Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2025/26, Draft Strategic Asset Management Plan 2025/26, Draft Rating Policy & Procedure and Draft Rate Rebate Policy & Procedure.
