Consultation opens on Murray Bridge council budget, long-term plans
The council’s draft Strategic Plan 2024-28, Annual Business Plan and Budget 2024-25 and Long Term Financial Plan are now open for public consultation.
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Actively preparing for the growth of our rural city is the primary focus for the Murray Bridge council in our draft Strategic Plan 2024-28 and the draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2024-25.
The Rural City of Murray Bridge’s draft Strategic Plan 2024-28 is now open for public consultation, along with council’s Annual Business Plan and Budget 2024-25 and Long Term Financial Plan.
During this consultation period, feedback will also be sought on council’s draft Schedule of Fees and Charges 2024-25 and Rating Policy 2024-25.
The draft Strategic Plan 2024-28 was developed through comprehensive engagement with community members, elected members and staff.
More than 900 individuals participated in the “Let’s Thrive” engagement process conducted in July and August 2023.
Feedback from this process emphasised the community’s desire for well planned growth that not only complements the rural and river lifestyle but also enhances community and economic wellbeing.
Building on our community’s ideas, the draft Strategic Plan 2024-28 outlines the strategic priorities for the Rural City of Murray Bridge over the next four years, guiding decision-making and the allocation of resources and efforts.
The plan sets out how we will actively prepare for the growth of our rural city by:
focusing on activating our rural city and attracting people and industry
enhancing our places and spaces
connecting people, and
supporting our communities
The draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2024-25 kicks off the first year of implementation for the Strategic Plan 2024-28.
This plan details the services, activities and projects that council proposes to deliver over the next 12 months, in working towards our shared vision of “Thriving Communities”.
The plan focuses on the core services that community have told council are important, such as maintaining the public realm and natural environment, enhancing recreational and leisure opportunities, and supporting community events, programs, and services.
Council’s capital works program will invest in the renewal and care of existing infrastructure that provides for access and recreation, such as our roads and open spaces.
Mayor Wayne Thorley said the draft Strategic Plan 2024-28 provides clear direction for decision making and how we prioritise efforts and resources in actively managing the growth of our rural city.
“The draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2024-25 marks the first year of our new Strategic Plan 2024-28,” he said.
“It outlines the services, activities and projects we are set to deliver this year, driving our community forward under the banner of ‘Growing, Thriving, Strong’, an expression which embodies who we are and our aspirations for the future.
“Council recognises the cost-of-living pressures facing our community.
“We have made significant efforts to fund these costs through internal efficiency savings.
“By doing so we have been able to propose a budget with a 4.3 per cent average rate increase for existing ratepayers for 2024-25, which is in line with the March 2024 (Adelaide) consumer price index rate of 4.3%.
“We are also proposing to reduce the rate in the dollar by 8%.
“This is the third consecutive year a decrease has been delivered, with an average of 8.3% per year and a total reduction of 23% over three years.
“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, as part of our strategic plan for the next four years.”
The draft Strategic Plan 2024-28, draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2024-25 and draft Long Term Financial Plan documents and feedback form are available on council’s consultation portal: letstalk.sa.gov.au.
Paper copies can be found at the Local Government Centre and the Murray Bridge Library.
A special council meeting to hear submissions will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday, June 12 at the Local Government Centre.
The consultation will close at 5pm on Thursday, June 13.
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