Sustainable planning at the heart of council’s financial and asset management plans

Mount Barker District Council has released its draft council and wastewater service Annual Business Plans, Long Term Financial Plans and Strategic Asset Management Plans for consultation, outlining a roadmap for the district’s continued growth, liveability, and long-term prosperity.

With a focus on delivering high-quality services, building critical infrastructure, and maintaining financial responsibility, the plans ensure the council continues to respond to the needs of one of South Australia’s fastest-growing communities with population growth more than double the rate of greater Adelaide.

Mayor David Leach said the plans build on a strong foundation of listening, investment, and innovation.

“These plans reflect our ongoing commitment to making Mount Barker the most liveable region in South Australia,” Mayor Leach said.

“Our council is keenly aware that we are using public money, mostly from local rates, and our responsibility is to deliver real outcomes for our community, both now and into the future.”

The 2025–2026 Annual Business Plans outline a major program of services and capital projects, supported by performance measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The council has also continued to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects that are transforming the region, including more than $100 million invested in expanding the local sewer network and wastewater recovery plant — the largest of its kind outside of SA Water.

The funding requirements for the upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant is identified as a key risk in the council’s Long Term Financial Plan. The Council is seeking $48 million in Federal and State Government funding to deliver this critical infrastructure, which is essential to support Mount Barker’s rapidly growing population.

Construction is on track for the $51.8 million Summit Aquatic and Leisure Centre, scheduled to open in August 2025. Alongside the emerging Summit Precinct, this hub will provide recreation and entertainment opportunities while attracting local and visitor spend.

Another major milestone is the commencement of construction of the Mount Barker City Centre project, set to begin in early 2026. This includes a vibrant Town Square where the community can gather, work, and celebrate.

With the help of $6 million in grant funding the council will commence planning ready for construction of the upgrade to Springs Road from Bald Hills Road to Heysen Boulevard and construction of the Bollen Road trail in the 2025 – 2026 financial year.

Detailed design and planning for key collector roads — Paech, Sims, and Hartmann — are also included in the council’s Annual Business Plan. This will help determine the timing and cost of future works along the corridor, particularly at the Hartmann, Alexandrina, and Bald Hills Roads intersection.

These major developments are being funded through a mix of revenue sources including rates, user charges, loans, developer charges, government grants, and intergenerational investment.

“These projects belong to everyone in our district,” Mayor Leach said.

“We’re not just building for today we’re investing in long-term outcomes that will create jobs, encourage investment and bring our growing community together.”

“We are working smarter, collaborating more effectively, and using technology and economies of scale to stretch every dollar further.”

To maintain services and financial sustainability during a period of national cost-of-living pressures, the council is continuing the final year of its three-year general rate smoothing strategy.

Implemented in 2023–2024, the strategy was designed to manage rate increases more gradually over time while still covering inflation-linked costs. Year one delivered a rate increase that was 2.3 percent below CPI. To ensure the average increase aligns with inflation over the full three-year period, years two and three include increases above CPI. In 2025–2026 (year three), a general rate increase of 3.5 percent — 1.3 percent above CPI — is proposed to meet the overall target.

“We’ve worked hard to minimise the financial burden on ratepayers, but we also have a responsibility to protect the services our community relies on,” Mayor Leach said.

“Failing to implement year three of the strategy would lead to service cuts or threaten Council’s financial sustainability — something we’re not willing to risk.”

The draft financial and asset management plans are now open for public feedback.

The council encourages community members to read the plans and have their say on the proposed level of service and activities before the final budget is adopted in July.

“Our vision for Mount Barker to be the most liveable region in South Australia by 2044 is built on partnership,” Mayor Leach said.

“We invite our residents, businesses, and community groups to be part of shaping our shared future — because what we’re building today belongs to all of us.”

Further information on making submissions can be found on the council’s engagement website yoursay.mountbarker.sa.gov.au.