Coorong property owners face huge rates increase in 2025-26
Homeowners can expect to pay an average of 25 per cent more next financial year unless they apply for an exemption.
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Coorong property owners can expect an eye-watering increase in their property rates bills this year, the district council has revealed.
Consultation opened on Wednesday on the Coorong council’s draft budget for 2025-26.
Included is a rates hike of more than 25 per cent for an average homeowner.
That would leave them paying $265 more per year in council rates.
The bill shock would be even greater for businesses: almost $500 for commercial and industrial property owners and $294 extra for primary producers.
Property rate increases in the Coorong district are meant to be capped at 15% per year, but ratepayers will have to go through an application process to have their bills reduced.
Farmers affected by drought, or other ratepayers going through a hard time, are also able to apply for their rates bills to be deferred for up to a year.
Rubbish collection and sewage fees will also go up.
Coorong councillors approved the draft budget at a special meeting last Tuesday.
Councillors Brenton Qualmann and Jeff Arthur both questioned the council’s planned spending on staff salaries: about $290,000 more than this year.
CEO Bridget Mather explained that one consultant role would be brought in-house at a cost of almost $60,000, and that most of the remaining increase was due to award rates going up with the new financial year.
Some staff were being paid $5000 above the award rate, she confirmed, but that was only because the council had struggled to attract candidates.
The only general comment on the budget came from Cr Lisa Rowntree, who said she would be happy to see what the public thought.
The budget suggested that the council would ultimately raise about 7.9% more revenue in property rates, but that its costs had gone up by almost 9.7%.
Also published for public consultation after the meeting was a long-term financial plan for the council, one which forecasts smaller rate increases in the district from 2027-28 onwards.
Scroll down to see how you can have your say on the plan.
What will Coorong ratepayers get for their money in 2025-26?
After collecting all those rates, and funding from other levels of government, the council has proposed to spend its $21 million budget on projects including:
- Preparing for population growth at Tailem Bend
- Connecting Wellington East properties to mains water
- Supporting rural communities through the drought
- Reviewing library services
- An AI pilot project
The Coonalpyn Caravan Park would also get some love, and the council would save some funds to respond to a current consultation on the need for more childcare in the district.
Of $6.8 million worth of infrastructure spending, most – about $4.5 million – would be spent fixing roads.
In an introduction to the budget, Mayor Paul Simmons suggested 2025-26 would be a “year of renewal” for the council, marked by prudent spending, strategic asset management and improved efficiency.
He also noted that the council had been mindful of the drought, and planned to deliver support to rural communities in partnership with the state government and neighbouring councils.
CEO Bridget Mather described the council’s business plan as “disciplined” and “responsible”.
Baked into the budget was an assumption that the council’s cash flow would be poor during the rest of 2025, at least, as farmers would struggle to pay their rates bills until the drought broke.
Residents and property owners have until May 29 to give feedback on the draft budget, the long-term financial plan and council fees and charges for next year.
Public information sessions will be held at the Coorong council office at Tailem Bend on May 27, and Coonalpyn Community Hall next Wednesday night.
- Have your say: Fill in the survey at www.surveymonkey.com, email council@coorong.sa.gov.au or visit any Coorong council office before 5pm on May 29.
- More information: Visit www.coorong.sa.gov.au or attend one of two community information sessions, at 6.30pm on May 14 at Coonalpyn Community Hall or 6.30pm on May 27 at the council’s Tailem Bend office.
