SOUTH East residents face a once off 5pc increase in birth, deaths and marriage certificates, security licences and occupational licences, including for builders, plumbers, gas fitters and electricians.
The state-wide rise in fees and charges formed part of yesterday’s 2019-20 State Budget announcement, which saw Kingston highlighted as the Limestone Coast’s big winner with a $334,000 contribution towards the coastal town’s main street development.
The funding, which will support upgrades for Kingston’s three main streets, is among the major South East-specific items receiving new funding in the recently released budget.
The previously announced $10m for Mount Gambier’s community hub also features in the Marshall Liberal Government’s second budget, as well as a $500,000 contribution towards the Bordertown freight handling facility.
Last week’s $250m Princes Highway upgrade announcement is among the projects making up a $1.1b eight-year regional infrastructure spend in the budget.
The government will also maintain commitments from last year’s budget in relation to country health, with a $140m injection over 10 years to address the backlog in capital works projects.
The budget includes a new $104.5m housing sector package which will support home buyers, builders and associated trades in the housing market.
Low income individuals and families will benefit from a new time-limited interest-free deposit gap loan of up to $10,000 to help cover up front costs associated with buying a home.
Aging Housing Trust homes will receive much needed upgrades and “preventative maintenance” under a $45.4m program, including the construction of 90 new homes of which the majority will be sold as affordable homes.
Recurrent funding for education will increase by $611m in 2022-23, with funding continuing for the roll out of the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, languages in schools and a $15.5m package of measures to address bullying, truancy and substance abuse in schools.
A $1.8m investment will provide an exemption from student contribution fees for children of 457 and 482 visa holders attending government schools in regional Australia, with the move expected to attract more foreign workers to country area.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said despite a significant write down in GST revenues over the four years from 2018-19, the government would not be “turning off the tap” on productive infrastructure which will create strong economic jobs and growth.
“This budget is designed to build a better future for South Australia with major investments in hospitals, schools, roads and other infrastructure projects,” he said.
“This budget continues to deliver on our election promise to create jobs, lower costs for struggling families and to provide better services for all South Australians.”
