Draft financial plans for community input
The council has developed two Long Term Financial Plans and two Asset Management Plans: one for the wastewater service and a consolidated plan inclusive of the council operations and the wastewater service.
Mount Barker District Council Mayor, David Leach said: “The Asset Management Plans and LTFPs are designed to ensure that the council has sufficient funds available to provide services and maintain infrastructure over a ten-year period.”
“Wastewater services are a major operation of Council and will require significant long term financial management over the next decade. Providing a separate LTFP for wastewater shows clarity and transparency for this essential service,” Mr Leach said.
“There are also a number of major projects such as the regional aquatic and leisure precinct that will be built and funded over a number of years. Alongside these, Council is responsible for many services and facilities that our communities use and rely on us to continue to deliver every day.”
The council’s chief executive officer, Andrew Stuart said: “These draft plans contain information on forecast future rates, fees and charges with implications for ratepayers, developers and customers. It is important to recognise that the subsequent adoption of these plans will not fix any such amounts. Decision making on rates, fees and charges occurs annually at a council meeting in July following community consultation on a draft council annual business plan and budget.”
In conjunction with the release of the Asset Management Plans and LTFPs, community and stakeholder engagement strategies have been developed.
“I commend and thank staff for the hours of work it has taken putting the two Long Term Financial Plans and engagement plan together
“While the plans, when finalised and endorsed, will drive Council’s long term objectives, it is worthwhile noting that they are evolving documents. Updates will be made annually to adapt to the opportunities and challenges facing our communities and district, and the context we work in,” Mr Leach said.
Community members are encouraged to review and provide input into the council’s Long Term Financial Plans and Asset management Plans.
The full documents, supporting materials and information about engagement activities across the district can be viewed on the Your Say website at yoursay.mountbarker.sa.gov.au. Engagement is open from Wednesday 6 March 2024 until 5pm Wednesday, 27 March 2024.
