Murray Bridge council budgets for growth in 2024-25
Residents’ property rates bills will go up by 4.3 per cent next financial year. Here’s what your hard-earned dollars will get us.
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Preparing for population growth will be a focus for the Murray Bridge council over the next 12 months – and residents’ rates bills will grow, too.
Property owners will pay an average of 4.3 per cent more in council rates from July 1, according to the council’s draft budget for the next financial year, in line with inflation.
An average resident can expect a rates bill of around $2150 for the year, thanks mainly to fast-rising property values.
In fact, the council will actually reduce the rate in the dollar it charges property owners by 8%.
In total, the council will budget for $58.3 million worth of spending over the next 12 months, on projects including:
- $7.7 million maintaining roads, parks, pipes and other infrastructure
- $1.4 million on new infrastructure
- $525,000 on community grants and events
- $286,000 to keep the Murraylands Skills Centre open
The council will also spend $170,000 re-zoning land for housing; figuring out how to implement a structure plan for Murray Bridge’s future; and starting to look at master plans for townships such as Mypolonga, Jervois and Wellington.
It expects a deficit of $2.5 million at the end of 2024-25.
“This plan reinforces our commitment to financial sustainability while providing value and quality services to our community,” Mayor Wayne Thorley and council CEO Heather Barclay said in a joint introduction to the plan.
“We will continue to be flexible and reflect on our approach to service delivery to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our growing communities.”
Councillors approved the draft budget with minimal fuss at a meeting on Monday night.
Cr Tom Haig said the council was well on track to return to surplus.
“The council is not … on a spending spree, throwing money around,” he said.
“We’ve been responsible.”
Members of the public will now have until June 13 to tell the council whether they agree – scroll down to find out how.
Strategic plan and long term financial plan
Meanwhile, at the same meeting, councillors also approved draft versions of two other documents which will guide the council over the coming years.
The council’s strategic plan, Let’s Thrive, sets out a vision for the next four years based on more than 3500 comments and ideas gathered at community meetings around the district.
The council has committed to continuing its focus on four themes: people and lifestyle, the environment, the economy and community.
Within those themes, however, its priorities will shift towards things like:
- Leading a renewed push for a multi-sport stadium and regional swimming centre
- Improving Murray Bridge’s CBD and riverfront
- Fostering the arts and creative activities
- Doing a better job of communicating with, listening to and working with community members
The council will keep advocating for the things it cannot provide itself: more housing, public transport, a freight bypass, continued expansion of Murray Bridge’s hospital, more educational services and even a Monarto airport.
The second important document was a long term financial plan covering a period out to 2032.
It forecast growth in rates revenue of more than 50% over a 10-year period – assuming continued growth in the district’s population, property values and inflation – and a return to surplus around 2026-27.
- Have your say: For the annual business plan and long term financial plan, fill in the survey at murraybridge.engagementhub.com.au by 5pm on June 13, or attend a meeting at the council office at 6.30pm on June 12. For the strategic plan, fill in the survey at murraybridge.engagementhub.com.au/-draft-strategic-plan-2024-2028 by 5pm on June 13.
- More information: Visit murraybridge.engagementhub.com.au.
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