The Adelaide Hills Council released the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget last month.
The draft plan reflects a rate increase in line with Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1.5% to manage the Council’s $800 million portfolio of infrastructure assets and deliver $2.2 million in key capital expenditure.
An additional 1.5% is proposed as the Council continues to ensure long-term financial sustainability. The combined proposed rate increase of 7.6% equates to approximately $223 for an average value residential property, as per the report.
Key priorities for the 2026/27 budget
Natural environment:
- Waste management service models to find efficiencies and divert more waste from landfill
- Adapt Cox Creek rehabilitation project learnings and techniques to prepare for expansion across water supply catchments and improve the health of Adelaide Hills creeks and rivers
- Build capacity in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Community wellbeing:
- Implement the new Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
- Use a co-design approach to develop a new Youth Action Plan
- Explore opportunities to expand visitor and tourism experiences at Fabrik Arts + Heritage.
Economy:
- Plan for the future of the Hills by defining what our communities need and value into the future
- Advocate for development outcomes for the Woodside Barracks that deliver the best long-term outcomes for the community
- Progress a review of Community Land Management Plans and prepare a Strategic Asset Management Plan.
Notable projects across these verticals include Food/Green Organics kerbside collection, sport and recreation strategic planning, school safety and activation projects, Township & Precinct Planning Framework, a Housing Strategy incorporating a Local Area Plan, and a Placemaking Framework, a new footpath program, and Amy Gillett Bikeway Connection (Station Road, Woodside).
Read the full report here.
If you live in Mount Barker, enter our free competition to get your rates paid for a quarter.
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Photo by Bahudhara on Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
