Murraylands council watch: July 2026
A Mid Murray rates increase is reduced, a Tailem Bend car park upgrade has a budget blow-out, transport is needed in Murray Bridge and more.
Here’s what the Murray Bridge, Mid Murray and Coorong councils have been up to this month. This story is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.
Mid Murray property rates will only go up by a little bit
Mid Murray property owners will only face a rates increase of 2.9 per cent this financial year after some budgetary fine-tuning by councillors.
That’s down from the previously forecast 3.6%, and below the rate of inflation.
It was also a significant achievement, considering the council’s previous financial position, Mayor Simone Bailey suggested.
“Only three years ago, Mid Murray Council was identified as potentially financially unsustainable,” Ms Bailey said.
“Since then, council has worked incredibly hard to strengthen our financial position, improve efficiency and make the difficult decisions needed to secure our long-term future.
“We know many households continue to face cost-of-living pressures, so council carefully considered every opportunity to reduce the impact on our ratepayers while maintaining the services and infrastructure our community relies upon.”
The council will aim to achieve a surplus this financial year, do the same throughout the next decade, and pay off all its existing debts by 2036 while maintaining spending on roads and other infrastructure.
At 0.36 cents in the dollar, the Mid Murray council will charge residential property owners a rate in between that of Murray Bridge, at 0.47c, and the Coorong, at 0.26c; but the Coorong council also adds a $200 fixed charge onto its bills.
In the end, someone with a $550,000 home could expect to pay almost $2600 in Murray Bridge, just under $2000 in the Mid Murray district or about $1650 in the Coorong in 2026-27.
Budget blows out on Railway Terrace car park fix-up
The recent refurbishment of a car park on Tailem Bend’s main street came in “significantly” over budget, the Coorong council’s roads and infrastructure director has admitted.
Joel Eckermann told councillors this month that the project had cost up to $160,000, or 50 per cent, more than anticipated.
That was because rising road seal and diesel fuel costs had been passed on by the council’s contractor.
“We spent what was needed to be spent to build it,” he said.
“If we had spent less money, we would have done half the car park, reduced the footprint … I don’t think those were feasible outcomes.
“I don’t see how we could have spent any less.”
Wellington East water switch-over completed
SA Water has completed a takeover of Wellington East’s mains water network from the Coorong council.
The water supply was confirmed as safe to drink on Monday.
Residents were asked to run their taps for two to three minutes, until they ran clear, to remove any lingering nastiness from the pipes before using the new supply.
Those using water for pet fish are advised to take precautions to protect them from chloramines.
The water network upgrade cost about $2.5 million, with more than half of that cost met by the state and federal governments and the rest by residents and the council.
- More information: watertalks.sawater.com.au/wellington-east-water.
- Read more: Wellington East water project will go ahead after council votes yes
Transport and housing are top threats to wellbeing
A lack of public transport, an ongoing housing shortage and the high cost of living are among the top issue affecting the wellbeing of people living in Murray Bridge, the city’s council has heard.
Councillors this month approved a wellbeing strategy which aims to keep residents’ happiness at the front of the council’s mind over the next four years.
About 80 people attended a series of consultation meetings around the district in May and June.
An ageing volunteer base, a lack of organised information about local services, a desire for community-led solutions and the importance of council advocacy were other topics that came up during the consultation period.
The council’s focus on wellbeing goes back to a summit it held in 2024, and its intention to continue funding – to some extent – a wellbeing hub at Murray Bridge Community Centre.
Open space and ‘regional sporting facility’ needed in Murray Bridge
More parks and sporting facilities will be needed in Murray Bridge and surrounding towns as their population grows, the rural city’s council has acknowledged.
An open space strategy adopted this month recognises that the Murray Bridge district already has 5.9 hectares of open space per 1000 residents, which is above the average.
But another 232 hectares will be needed in the coming decades, especially in Murray Bridge’s west, on the east side and at Gifford Hill.
That includes the space that will be needed for a “regional sporting facility”, a location for which the council hopes to nail down within 1-2 years.
Public art trails mapped
Locals and visitors to Murray Bridge are encouraged to explore three local public art trails by picking up a copy of a new map from the visitor information centre, library, art gallery and other council facilities.
The map suggests taking in the city’s sculptures and murals by following one of three routes: one around the CBD, another along the river and another along the main roads leading north, west and south.
The map is also available online.
- See the map: www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au.
New schedule set for council elections
The Electoral Commission of South Australia has determined a new schedule for the local government elections which were recently delayed until 2027.
Voters will have until January 4 to update their details on the state electoral roll, giving them the right to vote in their council area.
Candidates will need to nominate for the election between Australia Day and February 9.
Voting will then take place via post between March 11 and April 7, with votes to be counted on the following Saturday, April 10.
- More information: www.councilelections.sa.gov.au.
In brief:
- Coorong Mayor Paul Simmons will remain on leave until at least October as he continues to recover from a health issue
- The Murray Bridge council will install “do not climb” signs around Bertha the bunyip’s cave at Sturt Reserve at the behest of Cr Fred Toogood, who said he was “horrified” to see children on top of it during the holidays
- Mid Murray councillors have approved a significant increase in CWMS fees for property owners in shack areas and smaller townships round the district; it will come into effect this financial year
- The Coorong council will support a push to build a new playground on Moir Street, Tailem Bend as the town’s progress association hunts for grant funding
- Eight parcels of land around the Mid Murray district will be sold by the council, including 155 Providence Drive and 164 and 166 Schmidt Lane at Bowhill; lot 165 on Schmidt Lane may be turned into a car park
- The next Rockleigh Neighbour Muster will be a bit cosier after the Mid Murray council approved progress association plans to install a shelter and wind break around the fire pit at the old school house
- A private cul-de-sac off Ridge Road, Murray Bridge will be named Cowham Court, after long-serving local doctor Robert Cowham
- Mid Murray councillors have voted 5-3 to cease their membership of the Murray Darling Association, a representative body for councils across the Murray-Darling Basin; they decided its advocacy efforts weren’t worth a $3500 annual fee
- Nice work if you can get it: The chair of the Adelaide Hills Regional Waste Management Authority board, which oversees the waste and recycling facility at Brinkley and meets four times per year, will have his pay increased to $26,000 per annum, in line with comparable organisations
- The Coorong council is seeking feedback on the ways in which it seeks feedback, and on its infrastructure damage and reinstatement policy; visit www.coorong.sa.gov.au, email council@coorong.sa.gov.au or visit your local council office to have your say before 8am next Friday
Quote of the month
“If the addresses weren’t in place, who knows if anyone actually received the letters?”
–Cr Airlie Keen, on a lack of feedback about re-numbering properties on Ridge Road, Murray Bridge
Disclosure: The author is a board member with Murray Bridge Community Centre, which operates the council-funded Murray Bridge Wellbeing Hub.
