$40 increase for ratepayers
RENMARK Paringa residents will see an average rate rise of over $40 in the upcoming financial year – as council reaps an additional $533,000 from the community and posts a $1.76 million loss – under the council’s new draft business plan and budget.
RENMARK Paringa residents will see an average rate rise of over $40 in the upcoming financial year – as council reaps an additional $533,000 from the community and posts a $1.76 million loss – under the council’s new draft business plan and budget.
Renmark Paringa councillors passed a motion at a special meeting held last Thursday to release council’s Draft 2021/22 Annual Business Plan and Budget for public consultation.
The plan indicated council would avoid lifting its rate in the dollar in line with Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases, with increases in rates coming mainly from valuation growth as determined by the Valuer-General.
Renmark Paringa council residents will see their rates notices rise by an average of 2.36 per cent on the previous year, equating to an average rise from $1823 to $1866.
Average capital values in the district rose from $254,244 in 2020/21 to $263,505 in 2021/22, with average valuations from the Valuer-General rising by an average of 2.41 per cent.
Council has also proposed a $5 increase to the general waste collection and disposal service charge, and an $11 increase for green waste, plus an increase of $5 – per property – for the Community Wastewater Management Scheme charge.
Overall in the 2021/22 financial year council is set to collect an additional $533,000 in general rates on the previous year.
Council had also listed more than $9.3 million of major projects – which included more than $5.82 million of external funding – for the upcoming financial year.
These projects included upgrades to the Renmark Town Wharf, progressing revitalisation of the Murray Avenue streetscape, installation of new lighting at the Renmark No. 1 Oval, and investigation of an upgrade at the intersection of Ral Ral, Renmark, and Murray avenues.
Renmark Paringa director of corporate and community services Tim Pfeiffer said council was “also focused on finishing the projects that were delayed in 2020/21, due to challenges associated with COVID-19 and significant demand in the construction sector for trades and materials”.
Council is budgeting for an operating deficit of $1.762 million in the 2021/22 financial year.
Public consultation for the Renmark Paringa Council Draft 2021/22 Annual Business Plan and Budget will remain open until 5pm on July 17.
A full copy of the document, and details regarding the lodging of public submissions, can be found by visiting the website (www.renmarkparinga.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/921291/Annual-Business-Plan-and-Budget-202122-DRAFT.pdf).
