Following consideration of community consultation feedback, Council made amendments to the Draft Annual Business Plan 2023/24 including proposed projects.

Reductions in two annual operating projects were endorsed including:

• PBB 1719 Carbon offset purchasing (budgeted at $160,000) was removed noting it is more effective for Council to continue investment in reducing its emissions as opposed to using ratepayers money to purchase carbon offsets; and
• PBB1760 Business support. Feedback suggested council could reduce this program by $20,000 from $140,000 to $120,000 given cost of living pressures.

With these reductions plus productivity efficiencies achieved within the recurrent budget the overall rates increase proposed is now 7.52% plus growth (and less than current Adelaide March CPI).

This is less than the 8.59% originally forecast, having regard to the feedback about the cost of living pressures within the community but still cognisant of maintaining financial sustainability. For residential ratepayers this will translate to an average increase of 7.39%.

We thank all of those that have taken the time to contribute toward our Annual Business Plan consultation process.

The final Annual Business Plan and Budget will be presented to Council for adoption on Monday 26 June 2023.