Council adopts 2026/2027 annual business plan and budget
Council has adopted a plan for the 2026/2027 financial year that ensures it can continue to maintain services and assets for its ever-expanding community.
Key initiatives to look forward to including a continuation of the youth development program and Adelaide Plains Community Grants with $25,000 set aside to support local community projects.
This year’s $4.2m capital works program focuses on asset renewal and maintenance, covering 42km of road resheeting and 6km of road resealing. The community can also look forward to improvements to the Lewiston Playground softfall and shade sail, and street trees planted in Dublin, Lewiston and Mallala.
Thompson Beach Esplanade will be sealed, supported by State Government grant funding.
All day-to-day services and programs will continue to be delivered, supported by an estimated $3.2m in grant funding for roads, coastal conservation and libraries.
Financially, $25.6m is budgeted for recurrent, operating and capital expenses. A recurrent income of $21.9m is estimated, including $15.5m from general rates.
Council’s current budget will continue the rates capping strategy from the 2025/26 financial year, so that eligible ratepayers will see a 2.8% increase to their rates payable from the previous year, achieved through the application of a discretionary rates cap of 2.8%. Eligible properties are those whose valuation increase is not the result of development on the property.
The average general rate across the region has changed by 7.85%, after the rates cap is applied. This average is based on the total of all rateable properties, so is not necessarily indicative of either the rate or change in rates that all ratepayers will experience. By increasing the fixed charge, Council has been able to reduce the rate in the dollar, making rates less sensitive to changes in property values.
During consultation on this year’s plan, updated rates modelling was released, providing short and long-term effects of Council continuing its current rates capping strategy. This information will be summarised in the final Annual Business Plan and Budget document.
The 2026/2027 Annual Business Plan and Budget was adopted at the 15 July Ordinary Council Meeting. A summary will be available to view on Council’s website from Wednesday 22 July while the full document is prepared.
Mark Wasley
Mayor
20 July 2026