Draft budget released for public comment

Have your say on council’s financial blueprint

Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s Draft 2023-2024 Annual Business Plan and Budget highlights a measured and considered approach to general rates while maintaining a progressive and diverse program of $12.97M in capital works and projects.

A healthy cash balance accumulated from previous years has allowed the council to propose a relatively conservative 5% increase in general rate revenue of $11.66M, despite the challenging current economic climate.

The Draft Budget provides for the continuation of the high level of services that our community currently enjoys, as well as a suite of new projects across all areas of Council’s operations.

Key priority projects from the Draft Budget include:

• $7.69M on road construction, re-sheets and reseal projects, including the construction of Binnum-Benayeo Road (Stage 2), Wrattonbully and East Settlement Road, Boddingtons West Road, Ormerod Street-MacDonnell Street, and Frances walking trail;
• $1.72M on continued upgrades and improvements at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange;
• $878,389 on capital projects in open space areas across the council area including the construction of two weirs in the Naracoorte Creek, the demolition and rebuilding of the Pioneer Park amenities block, an all-access trail and carpark at Lucindale’s Loechel Park, improvements to the Historical Avenue and drainage at the Naracoorte Cemetery, and a BMX track at Frances;
• $387,828 on the implementation of the Naracoorte Swimming Lake Masterplan including the upgrade of the changerooms, fencing replacement, improved parking, and café design;
• $180,000 on detailed design of the Naracoorte Town Centre Rejuvenation Plan;
• $98,500 towards the ongoing support and sponsorship for community events.

Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor Patrick Ross (pictured) has confidence that council has delivered a proposed Annual Business Plan and Budget that is an appropriate balance between the current economic climate, a significant capital and projects program, and a continuation of a high standard of services, programs and activities to meet community expectations.

“Council has endorsed a measured and considered approach to general rates through a 5% increase from 2022-2023, and this is well below CPI, which reflects Council’s sound fiscal position,” Mayor Ross said. “In line with our financially sustainable approach, the proposed Budget will deliver an operating surplus of over $1.5M while maintaining a positive cash position.”

The community is invited to review and comment on the 2023- 2024 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget from 9-30 May 2023. You can have your say online; complete a hard copy survey available from the Naracoorte and Lucindale Council offices, email [email protected] or write to Council at PO Box 555, Naracoorte, SA, 5271 You can read through the 2023-2024 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget on the council website.

Hard copies are also available from the Naracoorte and Lucindale Council offices. Following community consultation, a Special Council Meeting will be held on June 7 to consider feedback from the community and determine any amendments to the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget.

Members of the public who wish to address Council or ask questions about the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget are invited to attend.

Council will consider formal adoption of the Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2023-2024 at a meeting on June 27.