Have your say Coorong residents

The Council is currently seeking feedback on not only what they do, but how those making decisions will be elected.

Kurt Miegel

Jul 13, 2021 — 2 min read

A new skate park and pool are included within the draft plan and budget currently out for community consultation. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Coorong residents have a chance to have their say on what their council is doing in the community for the next 12 months, along with how those who represent them are elected.

Coorong District Council are holding five information sessions across the next eight days, providing opportunities for locals to see and have their say on the draft 2021/22 Annual Business Plan and Budget.

Among the key initiatives included in the draft plan are a skate park for Meningie, refurbished Coonalpyn swimming pool, commencing a high risk intersection upgrade project and completing a reconciliation action plan.

CDC Mayor Paul Simmons says the draft plan reflects what the community said is important in the 2021-25 Community Vision Plan captured earlier this year.

“The next 12 months will see Coorong District Council take a back-to-basics approach, with a primary focus on delivering key infrastructure projects and core services,” Mayor Simmons says.

“We are fortunate to have received significant grant funding from the federal government for projects that seek to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure which will support jobs and the resilience of our local community.”

A 2% rate increase is proposed which will be balanced against a decreased $250 fixed charge which is down from $360 in 2020/21.

Public consultation on the draft 2021/22 Annual Business Plan and Budget is now open and will close at 9:00am on Friday, 23 July 2021.

Wards to go, community to elect Mayor

Additionally the council is also looking to propose changes to it’s composition and ward structure.

Following well-engaged community consultation, the following changes are currently seeking community feedback:

• The principal member of Council be a Mayor elected by the community.

• The Council area not be divided into wards (i.e. wards be abolished).

• The future elected body of Council comprise the Mayor and seven (7) area councillors, all of whom shall represent the whole of the Council area and shall be elected by the community at council-wide elections.

It is hoped that the proposed changes will improve the efficiency of the council and give greater say to the whole community.

Having the mayor directly elected by the community would bring the council in line with the Rural City of Murray Bridge Council.

Feedback for these changes must be provided to council by Friday July 30.

Coorong residents are invited to find out more about the draft Annual Business Plan and Budget at a community information session: