THE majority of Grant district residential residents will pay the same or less rates next financial year under council’s draft 2020/21 business plan.
Primary producers will also be buffeted from a spike in land valuations with council proposing a 6pc rate cap.
Community consultation on the financial blueprint closes Friday ahead of the document being tabled for potential adoption next week.
Key priorities encompassed in the plan include the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the local economy, the Mount Gambier Regional Airport terminal construction and completion of the Waterfront project.
Other major cornerstones of the financial plan include road maintenance and renewal as well as the continuation of the Port MacDonnell and River and Coastal Master Plans.
Council has also foreshadowed the need to attract industry investment.
“Council’s long term financial plan indicates an annual rate rise equivalent to CPI, however there will be no increase to this year’s rates,” council deputy chief executive officer Jane Fethertstonhaugh said.
She said primary production valuations had grown significantly for the 2020/21 financial year with an increase of 11pc.
“We have been advised by the Valuer-General that this has been the result of recent land sales and that this was an intentional but conservative increase,” Ms Fetherstonhaugh said.
“Because of the discrepancy between rural and residential valuations and as council has only one rate in the dollar, it was necessary to introduce a cap of 6pc for primary production.”
She said this meant all primary producers would pay no more than 6pc more than last year’s rates, regardless of their increase in property valuation.
“Residential ratepayers will not have any increase to rates and many will pay a fraction less than last year,” the council executive said.
Other projects outlined include the development of a fitness park and playground upgrade at Tarpeena, asphalting a section of the old boatyard at Port MacDonnell, entrance signs at Blackfellows Caves and Pelican Point as well as replacing the cricket pitch and netting at Nene Valley.
According to the document, the proposed business plan will result in total revenue raised through general rates increasing by 1.6pc.
“Council continues to be proactive with respect to seeking grant funding to assist with the funding for new projects, with significant capital grants been sourced for the 2020-21 financial year.”
Grant council has already swept in a care package to help the community and businesses through the COVID-19 triggered economic downturn.
2020/21 PRIORITIES
• Port MacDonnell underground power lines project – $231,000
• Contribution to City Council’s regional sporting clubs – $175,000
• Port MacDonnell seaweed removal $40,000
• Port MacDonnell old boatyard consultation and planning – $15,000
• CEO discretionary fund – $50,000
• Waterfront project stage two – $770,000
