Council Adopts 2021/22-2023/24 Business Plan & Budget
Improving the visual appearance of our city centre and entrances, supporting community wellbeing and increasing opportunities for residential and industrial development are priorities in Port Pirie Regional Council’s 2021/22-2023/24 Business Plan.
Council adopted the Plan and Annual Budget for 2021/22 at a Special Meeting last night. The Business Plan and Budget align with Council’s recently updated Community Plan and our vision to capture the economic and social benefit that we anticipate will come from increased visitation to our area from the new $10 million Southern Flinders National Park and the $6.2 million Silver to Sea Way project.
Important to this vision will be improving the visual attractiveness of the main entrances to Port Pirie and the central business district, using low maintenance high visual impact plantings to create a positive image of Port Pirie.
Together with the current service providers in Port Pirie, Council will work towards the development of a Wellbeing Strategy, with the aim of improving the quality of life for our residents. This will be a long-term plan and will involve Council forming greater collaboration with the Targeted Lead Abatement Program and other providers of primary and allied health services. We can play our part in providing new cycling and walking trails, increasing the attainment of work related skills by delivering some of our projects differently and providing opportunities for volunteering.
With the recent shortage of housing, this business plan includes a staged release of land for residential and industrial purposes, in the short and medium term and for tourism related purposes.
The Council’s total operating income for the coming year will be $28.7 million, with $19.6 million derived from rates, $6 million from Federal and State grants, and the balance from other sources.
The average increase for residential ratepayers will be 2.7%, which will see the average annual residential rate rise by $33 from $1,254 to $1,287.
Mayor Leon Stephens said the Council was conscious of cost of living pressures being faced by households, and confident this Budget strikes the right balance between addressing community needs and affordability.
Other key initiatives included in the coming year’s budget include:
- Shared walking and cycling paths
- Transition of SAPN street lights to LED
- Riverfront Precinct design and commencement of works
- Aerodrome landing strip lighting
- Feasibility of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO)
“These projects will drive local employment, improve community wellbeing, and contribute to the development of infrastructure which will be enjoyed by future generations,” Mayor Stephens said.
“We are excited about the opportunities that will come to our region over the next few years, and we have proposed to undertake key projects to be ready to capture the increased benefit. We aim to undertake these key projects primarily from grant funding.”
Mayor Stephens said that community input plays an important part in the budget process.
“Local government is the only sector of government which consults with its communities on its budgets,” Mayor Stephens said.
“I would like to acknowledge everyone who took the time to provide input into our Business Plan process.
“We want our community to continue to provide feedback, so we can ensure the services and projects we deliver are in line with their needs and aspirations.”
A full copy of the Council’s Business Plan 2021-2023/24, Annual Budget 2021/22 and is online at www.pirie.sa.gov.au/document-library/financial-documents/business-plan