District Council of Grant councillors have approved the 2022/23 budget and annual business plan, Which will see the council back in black.
Councillors voted unanimously to endorse the budget, with some alterations, and the four percent rate rise.
Some amendments were made from the draft budget, with updated information receievd over the past month being added, which moved the budget from a deficit of $203,890 to a surplus of $6400.
The extra funds came from additional rates, additional service charges, and and an increase in passengers to the Mount Gambier Airport to 6,000 per month.
A $35,000 cost blowout was subtracted, due the final costings of the Inner Townships Masterplan.
Big projects included in the budget is $41,500 for the Inland towns and Communities Master Plan Progression, $40,000 for the Integrated Strategy around Natural Assets, $3000 for the establishment of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel, Re‐Zoning of Industrial / Residential Land at $50,000, $15,000 for a shared assessment Manager, $50,000 in costs for the upcoming local election, $55,000 for Groundwater monitoring, $10,000 for the Port MacDonnell Netball Club, $5000 for the Donovans Shack Community Wastewater Management Systems Study and $50,000 for a Work Health and Safety consultant.
Other projects include $3,3000 on a 3D printer, $5000 for tourism signage, $20,00 for new carpet, painting and artwork for the Mayors office and council chambers , $50,000 for a general office refurbishment – painting and carpet – for year one of a three year program and $50,000 in disability access and inclusion projects.
The draft budget and business plan were open for public consultation, but no formal submissions were received, and a public meeting held earlier this month had no attendees, however Director of Corporate Services Gary Button said there were eight township meetings held during the year with more 200 residents attending across the district and suggestions from these meetings were included in the budget workshops and deliberations.
During the meeting, councillors discussed a follow up query to a request made last year regarding the possibility of a disabled accessible toilet facility at the Port MacDonnell Cemetery, although it has not been included in the 2022/23 budget.
