Please note that there were supplicate questions. Some questions have been grouped and paraphrased as a result, with the responses intended to satisfy all variations of the questions asked.
- I think the Long-Term Financial Plan, having only $4m debt at the end of 10 years is unrealistic?
Answer: The Long-Term Financial Plan envisages that approximately $8.5m of new debt will be drawn for Major Projects between 2025/26 and 2029/30. The $4.95m of debt outstanding as at 30 June 2035 is from these new loans. Council will have repaid all of its existing debt by 2031/32. Council is able to source competitive loan products with fixed rates for up to 15 years with the Local Government Finance Authority (LGFA).
- In considering debt, why invest in projects when we need to pay down debt particularly in a high interest environment?
Answer: Council has reduced the number of projects that it is undertaking in 2025/26 from that envisaged by the Long-Term Financial Plan 2024/25 – 2033/34. Projects that have remained are either non-discretionary, would lead to greater cost if deferred, are considered a high priority by the community/Council Members or are greater than 50% externally funded by grants.
- The Slides suggest there is $3m not put toward debt repayment?
Answer: The slide in the presentation states Council has chosen not to pursue $3m of projects. Had these projects proceeded would have been funded by Council's debt. As a result of the projects not proceeding the debt level will be lower.
- Why can't Council cut spending?
Answer: In order to reduce spending, Council would need to identify which service that it will scale back or cease delivering for its community. Since the adoption of the 2024/25 Annual Business Plan in June 2024 and as a result of community feedback for that budget, Council has undertaken a process of identifying its services and costing them. Council will consider a report at the 20 May 2025 Council meeting as to whether they wish to commence service reviews on any of these services.
- Why has Council removed funding for playground upgrades to reduce debt but is also spending $40K on investigation of practicality (not actual improvement work)?
Answer: The draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget includes budget for Council's playground asset renewal program.
- Why has the percentage of families of young children risen to 48% when actual number only change by 0.2% (page 5 ABP)?
Answer: The information published on page 5 of the Annual Business Plan and Budget document regarding the statistics of families within the City of Burnside comes from the information published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and can be found at https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA40700.
The figures used in the 2024/25 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget refers to the number of households which is different to the figures in the 2025/26 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget which refers to the number of family households. The difference between these two data sources accounts for the difference between the figures published in each of the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget documents.
The figures quoted in the 2024/25 document should not directly be compared to those from the 2025/26 document as they refer to different data sources.
It should be noted that during the past 12 months, Council has changed the provider of its demographic information and therefore a different methodology was provided.
- Why have you changed the process of consultation to a drop-in session?
Answer: While it was the first time the City of Burnside had this public meeting format it was pleasing to see the attendance and the engagement of the community in the session.
We acknowledge that there is always room for improvement, and we will consider the feedback provided on venue, hearing and access for people with disabilities and work on these areas for any future drop-in sessions.
No other level of government allows such public access and scrutiny over their budget.
The drop-in session was one part of the engagement process on the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget, it was designed to give residents the opportunity to ask our staff questions or seek further information on various elements of the budget that they may be interested in.
Participants had the opportunity to fill out the engagement survey on the night, ask detailed questions of staff who could provide personalised answers to their questions and discuss each matter in detail on an individual basis and place questions on notice for further answers.
Drop-in sessions:
- provide a personal one-on-one approach to answering questions
- assists attendees in making informed responses to the consultation.
- allows members of the community to tailor their attendance to a timeframe that meets their needs. This allows people to attend after work or other personal commitments, it does not require attendance for the full time of the drop in session.
- allows members of the community to interact with Council Members and discuss issues which are of concern to them
A drop-in session meets the requirements of the Local Government Act 1999 (LG Act), which mandates that Council hosts a public meeting to allow the community to provide feedback on the Annual Business Plan and Budget.
The LG Act does not define what a 'public meeting' is, but from the intent of the legislation, it is a forum where the community can be informed on the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget, ask questions and make submissions on the draft document. There are typically two forms of public meetings that are undertaken for Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget consultation, being:
- A presentation followed by questions or submissions from the community, or
- A drop-in session to ask questions, seek further information and complete submissions on the engagement.
The drop-in session provides an environment which is less formal than a traditional public meeting and provides a more comfortable or intimate setting for people to ask questions. This provides an environment for all residents to be heard including those who are uncomfortable asking questions in front of other people.
- Where is the provision for people with disabilities who cannot stand?
Answer: The venue in the Council building was selected due to the availability of tables and chairs to facilitate individual discussions with staff members. Seating was provided for watching the video and at both ends near the staff and Council Members locations. Tables and chairs were also provided and taken advantage of to have extended discussions or away from other discussions to assist with hearing.
Further accessibility considerations will be considered in planning of the engagement for the 2026/27 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget.
- Why are residents asked to stand in a walkway – is this best practice?
Answer: The venue in the Council building was selected due to the ease of access from the carpark, availability of tables and chairs to facilitate individual discussions with staff members and the ability to have a number of areas for different activities (i.e registration area, an area to watch the slideshow, different areas for speaking to staff, an area to speak to Council Members, tables and chairs to fill out forms, an area to write down questions etc).
Further accessibility considerations will be considered in planning of the engagement for the 2026/27 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget.
- Why is Council removing funding for cultural excellence when there are cultural issues identified in council – surely this is a priority above considering practicalities?
Answer: The funding for Council Employee training in the next financial year has been reduced, the budget allocated to Council Member training and professional development for the next financial year has remained unchanged.
