2024-2025
ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN AND BUDGET SUMMARY
A MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING MAYOR AND CEO
Minimising cost of living and business pressures
Council is resolutely committed to keeping any increases in its rates to a minimum again this year. The 2024/2025 annual budget is based on a 3.5% general rate revenue increase for existing ratepayers plus any revenue from new properties and building. You may have read reports in the media of other councils having much larger rate increases, all no doubt also struggling with increases in business costs such as fuel, electricity and construction related activities. Council was also determined to reduce the burden on shops and offices, likely negatively impacted by the broader economic climate, by reducing the rates to be paid by a total of 19.4%. Furthermore, the rate in the $ for residential properties will be reduced by 9.3% and for primary production properties by 7.2%. Despite this constraint in rates charges there has been an increase in capital asset renewal (roads etc) by $3.1 million through close budget management and prioritisation.
However, the actual rates payable by individuals and businesses is dependent on property value and there have been some very large increases in some primary production categories while others have decreased.
To attempt to minimise the impact of the large valuation increases, Council will offer a rate rebate to those ratepayers (residential and primary production land use categories only) whose principal place of residence has had a valuation increase greater than 15%
Refer to your rate notice and the Council website for further details of eligibility. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for the rebate within 25 days of the date of the rates notice which is prior to the first installment due date so an adjustment can be made.
Council’s general rate is a tax, and like all general taxes is not a fee for service but pays for a full range of services (in Council’s case, defined by the Local Government and other Acts, and various regulations) that people access variably. Pages 12 and 13 of the Annual Business Plan and Budget outlines a snapshot of about 50 services provided.
Where available, ratepayers also have refuse collection and wastewater charges appearing on the rate notice. Under legislation, councils are only allowed to charge the cost of these services and as with other costs of Council, there have been significant cost increases this year which have had to be passed on.
ESCOSA is the Essential Services Commission of South Australia and undertakes economic regulation of local government in South Australia. Every four (4) years ESCOSA analyses all councils’ long term financial plans. This year it analysed Light Regional Council and concluded that it was sustainable. A significant achievement when many other councils across the state have been unable to attain sustainability status. continues next page
ESCOSA says Light Regional Council is sustainable.
continued from front page
Regional growth and financial impacts
The number of new properties in the region grew by 3.4% since last year which included 96 more residential properties and an increase in vacant land by 239 allotments. Most other councils would consider this to be spectacular growth, but it is likely to be considered commonplace at ‘Light’ for many years to come. While the significant growth is at Roseworthy, growth is also occurring in other towns.
This growth does generate additional rate revenue, but this is quickly consumed with delivering new services to many new residents and more importantly accepting responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of roads, footpaths, stormwater drainage infrastructure and open space (ovals, parks etc) assets that will be transferred from the developers to Council when completed.
Simon Zeller Acting Mayor
Richard Dodson Chief Executive Officer
Thank you
We thank Council staff for their extensive work in preparing the budget and for assisting Councillors in their deliberations prior to adopting this fair Budget and Annual Business Plan, which will enable Council’s services and programs to be delivered in the coming financial year.
2024/2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Light Regional Council’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028 details the strategic priorities that sustain Council’s vision over the next four years. To achieve the vision 5 long term goals have been identified: Leadership, Transport, Community, Sustainability and Economy. Each long-term goal is underpinned by goals and focus areas. A full list can be found in the Annual Business Plan and Budget 2024/2025 on Council’s website www.light.sa.gov.au
Priorities for the year ahead include:
Increase in general rate revenue of approx. 3.5%
Infrastructure Capital Works Program$14.5m (details ABP Appendix C)
$2.75m of unsealed road re-sheeting
A small budget surplus of $0.020m
Rate Relief Strategy for property valuation
Increases >15 % (details ABP Appendix A)
Upgrade and Renewal of CWMS$0.500m
Community facilities upgraded $0.600m
Continuity of core council services (refer ABP pages 12 and 13)
Bunyip 2 water re-use project associated with the Roseworthy development completed
Implement ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan
1,200 km of road grading
Action plan to address community satisfaction survey
2024/2025 CAPITAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Roads
Funds to be spent on the Infrastructure Capital Works Program, totalling $8.2 million will include:
• $2.75m on rural road re-sheeting (45 kms of unsealed roads);
• $3.410m on sealed roads;
• 1,200km of road grading.
Key road projects supplemented with grant funding include:
• Mudla Wirra Road $3.38m
• Argent Road $.7m
Recreation and Open Space
Stormwater
$0.64m allocated to the expansion, upgrade and renewal of recreation and open space assets. Key inclusions:
• $0.08m Mattiske Park
• $0.17m Roseworthy Recreation Park
• $0.17m Lions
Playground Kapunda
Community Wastewater Management Scheme
$0.5m will be spent on the upgrade and renewal of Community Wastewater Management Schemes.
$0.362m allocated for stormwater improvements Hanisch Street Freeling.
Buildings and Structures
$0.621m allocated for buildings and structures located to the expansion, upgrade and renewal of land and building assets. Key projects:
• $0.2m Kapunda Senior Citizens
• $0.1m Greenock Institute
• $0.3m Greenock Centenary Park Grandstand
Bridges
$0.296m will be allocated for the renewal of bridge components including amongst others, Ross Creek Bridge.
HOW YOUR RATES ARE SPENT
YOUR RATES EXPLAINED
General Rates are a part of Council’s revenue and funds the services, programs and initiatives provided to the community.
General Rates benefit the whole community. It is calculated by multiplying the rate in the dollar (set by Council) by the value of your property, as determined by the Valuer-General of South Australia (over which Council has no influence). Thus, the general rate you pay may alter if the value of your property changes. If you believe your property valuation is too high, you can apply to the ValuerGeneral to have it reviewed. The minimum general rate payable is $965.
The general rate in the dollar is based on:
Rate Rebate Application
To support residential and primary production ratepayers (principal place of residence only) who experience property valuation increases greater than 15% on the previous year’s valuation, Council determined a rebate may be available upon application.
Approval of ratepayer applications are in accordance with the following conditions:
• maximum property valuation threshold is 15%.
• rebate approval is based on an application process (to be received within 25 days of the first rates notice).
• rebate is unavailable for any property improvements (>$50,000) property since the last valuation, any property purchased since the last valuation, any property where the land use has changed, and any property where the minimum rate applies.
For more information, go to: www.light.sa.gov.au/home/payment-and-rates/rates
Other rate relief – Council has substantially reduced the rate in the $ for some land use categories to provide additional assistance to ratepayers.
The Annual Refuse Collection and Recycling Charge* – This charge is set to cover the actual cost of the service. In 2024/2025 the annual refuse charges for the Township service is $380 (3 bin), and for the Rural service is $255 (2 bin). Since many properties located outside the townships cannot access Council’s rubbish pick-up service, this is a separate charge, to ensure that only those using the service pay for it and are not subsidised by those for whom it is unavailable.
The Community Wastewater Management System Annual Service Charge* – The annual service charges for the Community Wastewater Management Schemes at Kapunda, Freeling, Greenock, Roseworthy, and Nuriootpa is $630 per unit. Since many properties outside the townships do not have access to Council’s wastewater removal systems, this is also applied as a separate charge. Part of the increase this year will be used to purchase carbon offsets for the methane generated during the wastewater treatment as part of the Council’s greenhouse gas reduction strategy.
Principal Office: 93 Main Street, Kapunda
Postal Address: PO Box 72, Kapunda SA 5373
* These charges are based on services provided for individual properties. (08) 8525 3200
light@light.sa.gov.au
www.light.sa.gov.au
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