Murray Bridge property rates will go up again in 2025-26
The city’s council has forecast a 4.8% increase in its draft budget for next financial year.
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Murray Bridge residents’ property rates bills will go up by almost five per cent from July 1, according to a draft of the local council’s budget for 2025-26.
An average resident will pay $2297 in council rates next financial year, or almost $150 more than was forecast last year.
The average increase across all ratepayer categories will be 4.8%, even though the council will actually reduce the rate in the dollar it charges property owners.
Those numbers were worrying enough that three councillors – Airlie Keen, Andrew Baltensperger and Clem Schubert – voted against the council’s draft budget at a meeting on Monday night.
Cr Keen argued that the council had not got the balance right.
“I don’t think we’re reflecting (on) the hard times the community is experiencing,” she said.
“I acknowledge … that there is a proposal to bring the rate in the dollar down by 2%, however I don’t think that that goes far enough.
“In tough times, tough measures are required.”
Still, most councillors supported the draft budget, which was approved for public consultation with a 6-3 vote.
“We provide a service, (and) that service doesn’t come for free,” Cr John DeMichele said.
If the council were forced to make any further budget cuts, Cr Fred Toogood suggested, it might have to reduce opening hours at Murray Bridge’s swimming centre or library.
“We feel the pain that everyone else is feeling at the moment,” Mayor Wayne Thorley said.
“We also have 180 employees that rely on us as well.”
Members of the public will have until June 5 to have their say on the draft budget – scroll down to find out how.
Councillors vote against lowering rate ‘cap’ to 10 per cent
Cr Keen also argued that no homeowner should suffer a bill increase of more than 10 per cent for their main residence.
The council’s current rate cap is 15%, and ratepayers have to apply in writing to get it.
“A substantial number of people would be positively impacted if we did go down that route (of reducing the rate cap),” Cr Keen said.
“People across the board are hurting.
“We all need to trim our cloth accordingly.”
Again, the same two councillors agreed – Schubert and Baltensperger – but the other six did not.
Cr Tom Haig argued that lowering the rate cap would have a “deleterious” effect on the council’s finances.
The council had already rejected more significant changes to its rating policy which would have forced a majority of residents to pay more while sparing the wealthiest.
The council's responsibilities include parks, the Captain's Cottage Museum and Murray Bridge Regional Gallery. Photos: Rural City of Murray Bridge.
Where will all that rate money go?
Income from property rates will make up almost two thirds of the council’s $73.4 million budget in 2025-26.
Of that money, the plan is to spend about $9.4 million on infrastructure upgrades, including $390,000 worth of footpaths and $200,000 on Swanport Road improvements.
The rest will be spent on the basic services any council is expected to provide:
- $18.7 million on aged care, including the council-owned Lerwin Nursing Home
- $12.1 million on road maintenance
- $5.2 million on rubbish collection and management
- $2.3 million on Murray Bridge Library
- $200,000 on public events
About $20,000 has also been set aside for an east side septic system education and compliance program.
Meanwhile, the council will keep preparing for projected population growth by:
- having another go at making a start on a multi-sport complex
- commissioning new plans for the city’s open space and stormwater systems
- developing a business investment and attraction plan
Staff told councillors that the budget demonstrated the council’s commitment to financial sustainability in the face of significant depreciation costs – that is, a reduction in the value of its assets – and inflation.
The public consultation period will run until June 5, and will include a public meeting at the council office at 7pm on June 4.
- Have your say: Visit letstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au or email council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au before 5pm on June 5. Alternatively, you can register your interest in speaking at the public meeting by emailing the same address or calling 8539 1100.
