We have now adopted the 2020/21 Annual Business Plan and Budget with a strong focus on supporting our community and local businesses to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as delivering on a range of services and infrastructure for affordable rates.
The average rates increase across the City is 0.77% (plus new property growth), down from 2.0% last financial year and less than half of forecast CPI. Importantly this year 35% of Charles Sturt ratepayers will have no increase and 99% of residential ratepayers will have a rate rise of less than 1%. The main exceptions being those that have undertaken redevelopment.
The budget includes our Economic Support and Stimulus Package which will inject $100.5 million dollars into our economy over the next two financial years with:
- Over $2.5m of financial support to individuals, hospitality and food, construction and recreation sectors
- $97.4m worth of capital works with an increased emphasis on supporting local businesses and supply chains
- Over $500,000 of economic stimulus to small business, the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors
Our focus is on projects that will quickly boost our community and economic activity or projects that will keep our community safe, as well as our already planned works to renew our City’s assets, and our operating budget that will connect our community and engage across a range of activities and programs.
Key renewal projects in 2020/21 include
$1m towards Breakout Creek Stage 3 Redevelopment ($2m additional grant) | Stage 3 of the redevelopment program includes improving accessibility and safety in the area, boosting recreation opportunities for the public and enhancing biodiversity in the area. |
$500k to River Torrens Linear Park Path Renewal, Kidman Park | Renewal of the River Torrens Linear Park shared use walking and cycling path in Kidman Park from Pitcairn Avenue to Findon Road (excluding the Metcash site frontage due to the Development Plan Amendment). |
$550k towards Citywide Kerb and Gutter Renewals | Renewal of Condition 5 (poor condition) kerb and gutter assets at various locations across the city. These assets have been identified as being in poor condition and a high priority for renewal through the recent kerb and gutter audit. |
$550k towards Citywide Road Rehabilitation | Resealing and/or preservation treatment of various roads throughout the city which have been identified through recent road condition audits as requiring renewal. |
Key projects for 2020/21
$46k towards shade options for Henley Square | Investigation of options to improve shade at Henley Square, including consultation, design and public consultation with the view to look to construction in 2021/22. |
$100k for Construction of new Dog Park at Woodville West Reserve | New fenced dog park at Woodville West Reserve for small dogs, including a path, landscaping, bin, seating and shelter. |
$55k towards a new shade structure at Parkway Reserve playground, Fulham Gardens | Design and construction of a new shade structure above the playground at Parkway Reserve, Fulham Gardens. |
$867,915 for LED Public Lighting and Improvement | The provision of street lighting that is better aligned with Australian Standard AS/NZS 1158 and delivers a safer road and footpath network across council. Smart lighting technology may be included in select precincts allowing for the regulation of lighting output and maximising efficiency e.g. Hindmarsh precinct around Entertainment Centre, Coopers Stadium etc. |
$500k towards design and construction of new paths on streets and reserves | Design and construction of new paths on streets and reserves in response to community requests are as follows: 1 - Grady Way, Grange |
Key operating projects for 2020/21
Community Care – Aged & Disability Home Maintenance & Security | Implement Council’s ‘Ageing in Charles Sturt’ action plan. Assist approximately 500 residents with 8,000 hours of domestic assistance. Provide 250 residents with 30,000 hours of social support and activities. Provide 3,500 hours of home maintenance and security to approximately 1,700 clients. |
Library Services
| Delivering a range of library products and services including access to print and audio-visual collections and resources, community language collections, community information, internet and wireless service access, literacy programs, lifelong learning programs and recreational programs. Service a membership of near 50,000 people, over 500,000 visits and 1 million loans annually. Provide 5 branch libraries across the City plus a mobile library and home service. Provide services and programs to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities. Deliver a selection of Council Customer Services, including a rate payment service. |
Community Centres | Provide support staff in Community Centres at Findon, Cheltenham, Henley & Grange, Bower Cottages, 19 On Green and West Lakes; with 95,000 participants supported by 15,799 volunteer hours. |
More detailed information on our 2020/21 Annual Business Plan and Budget will be available with your rates notice (electronically or via mail) in the coming months.
Further information is also available now online.