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Council Releases Draft Annual Business Plan & Budget 2025/26

Published 7th July 2025

Port Pirie Regional Council is inviting community input on its Draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget, which focuses on essential local upgrades, community wellbeing and maintaining existing services amid rising living costs and economic challenges.

The Draft Business Plan and Budget is now open for consultation, - a valuable opportunity for our community to have a say on the projects and services that will shape our region in the year ahead. Council’s Long Term Financial Plan is also available for community feedback.

With cost of living pressures and the ongoing impacts of drought affecting many local household and businesses, Council remains focused on delivering practical, community focused initiatives that support long term resilience.

Council acknowledges the financial pressure faced by local families and businesses and has carefully considered the balance between maintaining essential services and the need for modest revenue growth. A proposed rate increase of 5% has been included to ensure continuity of service and investment in key community priorities. Due to updated asset valuations and increasing depreciation costs — particularly from our transport infrastructure — Council is reviewing its long-term financial approach while continuing to invest in local priorities. We will take a measured approach to identifying savings and efficiencies in 2025/26, with a strong focus on value for ratepayers.

To fund the projects and services detailed in the Business Plan, the total income budgeted for the year is $35.04 million. Where possible, Council will seek grant funding and other sources of income to supplement rate revenue and support specific initiatives.

Key initiatives proposed in the Draft 2025/26 Business Plan include:

  • Constructing additional car parking along The Terrace (adjacent to the Port Pirie Hospital)
  • Improving the existing footpaths around the Port Pirie Golf Course
  • Heating for the Crystal Brook Swimming Pool
  • Developing implementation plans for Nelshaby and Bowman Park (including seeking expressions of interest for commercial development)
  • Reviewing disability and inclusion parking and access provisions in the Port Pirie CBD area to ensure equitable and safe community access
  • Commencing Pirie Voices, 12-month community-driven consultation process which will inform the development and implementation of a plan to address generational disadvantage
  • Providing additional stormwater network capacity in the Harris Road Catchment, to support existing and future residential development
  • Repairing O’Shaughnessy, Koolunga and Sims Bridges.

Council will complete Stage 1 of the Port Pirie Riverbank Precinct redevelopment, providing attractive, family-friendly spaces at Solomontown Beach. As part of an ongoing four year Port Pirie Greening Program, in partnership with the State Government, $5.7 million has been invested into the Phoenix Park Wetlands, The Terrace and Solomontown (Church Circle area).

How to have your say:

The Draft Annual Business Plan, Budget and Overview provides further detail on the proposed Budget and its initiatives. These can be found at:

www.pirie.sa.gov.au/noticeboard/consultation

Printed copies of the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget are also available at the Council Administration Centre (115 Ellen Street, Port Pirie), Port Pirie Public Library (3 Wandearah Road, Port Pirie), and the Crystal Brook Office (Bowman Street, Crystal Brook).

A Special Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 28 July 2025 at 6.00pm to be held at the Port Pirie Regional Council Chambers, 115 Ellen Street, Port Pirie. This is an opportunity for further information, discussion and for the public to make submissions.

Council have offered to present to meetings of the town associations in Crystal Brook, Redhill, Koolunga and Pirie Districts, as well as Business Port Pirie. Please check our social media pages for details of these sessions as they are confirmed.

Public consultation will be open from Monday, 7 July and will close at 5.00pm on Tuesday, 29 July 2025.

Written submissions can be made:

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