Mid Murray council trims rate increase by 1.1 per cent after public feedback
Residents living in the Mid Murray district won't have as big of a rate increase as originally expected.
The Mid Murray Council has taken on feedback from the community and lessened a rate rise for its ratepayers by 1.1 per cent in this year's budget.
The council's 2025-26 business plan and budget originally proposed an average general rate increase for existing properties of 4.94%.
Following a community consultation in July, that plan has been revised down to 3.84%.
The council said it had considered the cost-of-living pressures and challenging economic climate impacting the Mid Murray community.
Mayor Simone Bailey said the updated plan delivered a more balanced outcome for ratepayers.
“Council’s original aim was to strike a balance between long-term sustainability and affordability, and through constructive community engagement and a commitment to identify additional operating savings, we’ve been able to refine our approach to ease the pressure on ratepayers,” she said.
“It’s been a tough few years for our district.
"We are fortunate that we are in a position to be able to do (this), thanks to the extensive work we’ve done as a council over the past couple years to cut costs and increase efficiency.”
Ms Bailey said the council’s commitment to improving long-term sustainability remained a core focus this year, especially in the face of increasing cost pressures and declining external funding for regional communities.
One of the key changes in the 2025-26 budget was the introduction of full cost attribution across council businesses, which allocated all internal administrative costs to the relevant areas.
This would ensure that the administrative costs associated to services such as community wastewater management and waste collection were covered by those who use them, rather than being subsidised through general rates.
“This is about making the services we provide our community more equitable and sustainable,” Ms Bailey said.
“By fairly attributing all service costs to the people actually using those services, we can avoid additional increases to general rates while protecting the future viability of those services our community values.”
The adopted plan and budget outlines $10.6 million in capital expenditure, including $6.1 million in capital infrastructure, and continues the roll-out of projects aimed at economic development, improved services and better community outcomes.
These projects include:
- Stage two of a sustainability review
- A growth management and housing strategy
- Assessment of the council's rural recycling and township green waste service
- Construction of a female sports facility at the Mannum Oval sporting complex
- LED street lighting upgrades to improve efficiency and reduce emissions
- Open space flood remediation funded through the state government
“Regional and rural councils like Mid Murray are facing disproportionate challenges,” Ms Bailey said.
“We’re working hard not only to manage our budget wisely, but to also ensure our region gets its fair share of resources to meet the needs of communities across our vast district.”
Other priorities for the year ahead include progressing an externally funded Mid Murray tourism precinct planning project, which will develop strategies to support enhanced economic and community development and growth in the district.
The council will also continue to work with the state government to seek greater protection for the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve, which has the potential to develop into a visitor drawcard and generate increased economic growth.
The council will offer assistance to ratepayers in need through its hardship policy.
- More information: www.mid-murray.sa.gov.au.
