The City of Victor Harbor’s draft 2024/25 Annual Business Plan and Budget proposes a rate rise of 6 per cent and is now available for public comment. 

In 2024/25 the council is proposing net capital expenditure of $13.6 million and a $41.3 million operating budget with a deficit of $5.2 million. 

It says the deficit will be funded through borrowings to minimise the impact on council rates and spread costs for two landmark projects across a number of generations.  

City of Victor Harbor Mayor Dr Moira Jenkins says the council is balancing a desire to minimise rate rises with the need to deliver critical community infrastructure.  

“Victor Harbor is growing and so are the needs of our community. We have a responsibility to invest appropriately in our city for today and tomorrow,” she says.  

“The draft 2024/25 budget balances delivery of core services essential to our community – such as waste management, roads, footpaths, library, economic development, public safety, youth and aged services, and more – while also planning for the delivery of important community infrastructure.” 

“In crafting the draft budget, Council has been cognisant of the current economic climate and that many of our ratepayers are doing it tough. 

“However, Council itself is also not immune from financial pressures experiencing sustained increases relating to construction and labour costs over the past few years.” 

“While Council has been able to absorb these increases through budget cuts, this is not sustainable in the long term and a review of our rating policy is on the cards to inform future budgets.” 

The draft budget sets out an average rates payable increase of 6 per cent across all properties. 

The council says this rate rise is based off December 2023 CPI  of 4.8 per cent plus an extra 1.2 per cent to cover The Precinct – its proposed sports and recreation complex.

For residential properties this represents an average rates payable increase of $140 (or around $2.70 per week). 

In addition to The Precinct and corporate systems replacement, projects outlined in the Annual Business Plan include:  

• Undertaking a major review of the Urban Growth Management Strategy.
• Completing detailed designs for remaining components of the Arts and Culture Centre.
• Delivering coastal protection measures at Yilki to protect against sea level rise.
• Continuing the progressive partnership with Business Victor Harbor.
• A funding contribution to support the operations of the Encounter Community Centre. 
• Stage one of the Jagger Road reconstruction project. 
• Delivery of the Giles Street stormwater project. 

The council encourages the community to contribute to its decision-making process.  

“It’s vital that our ratepayers and residents get involved. Please jump online or drop into our Civic Centre to view a copy of the Annual Business Plan and learn more,” Mayor Jenkins says.  

The council will host several Listening Posts to enable people to ask questions and share feedback:

• Thursday 30 May at Victor Central Shopping Centre from 10am to 3pm.
• Saturday 1 June at Victor Harbor Farmers' Market, in Grosvenor Gardens, from 8am to 11am.
• Tuesday 4 June at Victor Central Shopping Centre from 10am to 3pm.
• Thursday 6 June at a public meeting at the Civic Centre from 6.30pm.

Visit the City of Victor Harbor Your Say page for more information and to have a say.   

The deadline for feedback is 5pm on Tuesday 11 June.