The City of Victor Harbor claims it has put community at the forefront of its draft 2023/24 Annual Business Plan and Budget, now available for feedback.

The proposed average rates payable increase is 6.2 per cent, which is lower than the March Quarter 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 7.9 per cent and the December Quarter 2022 CPI of 8.6 per cent. 

The council says this represents an average annual rates payable increase of $146.

City of Victor Harbor Mayor Dr Moira Jenkins says the Council has absorbed a substantial proportion of rising costs through cost savings measures, but a rate increase is still necessary.

“There’s no denying that inflation is creating challenges for households across the country. We can see cost of living pressures taking a toll,” she says.

“We’ve worked extremely hard to identify cost saving opportunities in order to minimise the impact on our community, however a modest rate increase is still required to safeguard Council’s financial sustainability.”

The proposed 2023/24 budget forecasts a capital works program worth $8.63 million (net), and a $35.87 million operating budget resulting in a deficit of $1.48 million. 

Along with budget feedback, the council has asked for community input on the possibility of providing a way for residents to dispose of hard waste.

“We want to better understand the demand for hard waste collection. We’ve heard requests from some of our residents for hard waste disposal, but this is an opportunity to formally gather feedback,” Mayor Jenkins says.

“Providing this service would have a cost, so we also need to gauge the community’s willingness to pay for it.”

Full details of the draft 2023/24 Annual Business Plan and Budget can be viewed on the Victor YourSay website.

A public meeting to discuss it will be held on Thursday 25 May from 6.30pm in the council chambers.

The deadline for resident and ratepayer feedback is 5pm on Monday 29 May.