Our Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2023/24 was endorsed on Monday 26 June 2023, with an average rate increase of 7.44%, below CPI and the 7.9% average across South Australia.
When the City of Charles Sturt initially considered the financial parameters for the 2023/24 budget, the potential rate rise was as high as 8.59% (+ growth).
In working through the 23/24 Budget, we committed to identifying savings and reducing expenditure where possible. During this process, we remained dedicated to recognising the service levels our community needs and expects from us. We need to balance service levels with the increased pressure on cost of living that we know is affecting many in our community.
We have achieved cost efficiencies to deliver existing services, cutting almost $1.2million from our budget.
This level of rates invested by community will ensure we can deliver:
- More frequent verge cutting through the spring period
- $37.5m towards roads, footpaths, lighting and stormwater
- $12.6m on sporting club and open space renewals including clubrooms at Grange Recreation Reserve and Pedlar Reserve (total of $40.6m towards property and open space projects)
- $1.053m towards Freshwater Lake
- $9.375m in a multi year project towards the new Ngutungka Henley (Henley Library and Community Centre) with a total of $16.8m on libraries and community services
- $855k in additional operating projects for greening and climate change initiatives (total of $3.2m towards recycled water and environmental initiatives)
- $365k in additional grants and business support programs (total of $3.1m towards urban projects and economic development)
We thank all of those that have taken the time to contribute toward our Budget and Annual Business Plan consultation process.