Coorong District Council Annual Business Plan Summary 2020-21

I am pleased to present Coorong District Council’s Annual  Continue to develop Business Plan and Budget for 2020-21. It focusses on the stronger policies for Council’s commitment to deliver on the goals and improved transparency and objectives of the overarching Strategic Management Plan accountability. 2016-20, while taking into account issues currently  Continue to apply and lobby for impacting on our communities. external funding to support our community’s needs. Together, we are facing challenging times and Council acknowledges the financial pressures experienced by Your Council has been successful in its efforts to source and local residents and businesses. Some of our areas have secure federal funding for development in our district, been dealt a tough blow as a result of drought and including the Drought Community Programme—Extension. bushfire. The outbreak of COVID-19 also means that we The suite of projects covered under this grant are an are all faced with further economic uncertainty. investment in our communities, designed to support jobs and For these reasons and more, your Council is resolute in business income. Most, if not all of these projects contribute its commitment to providing strong governance and to community connectedness which is essential for wellbeing responsible leadership to its community, now and into the and social inclusion. Council is particularly mindful of the future. First and foremost, we will do this by continuing to importance this plays as our communities are challenged by deliver on our promise to pursue and implement cost COVID-19’s social distancing measures and economic savings and efficiency targets without compromising vital uncertainties. community services. Primarily this is done to ensure rate The recent appointment of Bridget Mather as Chief Executive increases are kept to a minimum but also in an attempt Officer provides Council with the strong leadership it needs to to improve overall operating result. As such, Council is face these challenges head on. proposing a nil (0%) increase to general rates for 2020- 21. As your Mayor, I invite you to consider Council’s range of quality services, activities and infrastructure available to you Some of the key initiatives for this year include: as a valued resident of the Coorong district. Council is  Continued operational and capital expenditure on our committed in its efforts to work as a cohesive team and to rural road network, with an emphasis on maintaining maintain open channels of communication and engagement the reformed patrol grading function. with the community. Please utilise these channels so that we  Continue with reviews (as current works in progress), are better able to serve you—our community. including:  a service review to ensure Council services are resources are delivered in a cost-effective Kind regards, manner and continue to meet community needs  a review of Council’s rating structure to determine Mayor Paul Simmons 1 the most equitable way to set annual rates  Electoral Representation Review

$1.0m $500,000 $500,000

Drought Community Programme— Murray Coorong Trail: Revitalising Raukkan Meningie Jetty Upgrade Extension (Phase 2 Projects) This $500,000 Federal Government grant A $500,000 Federal Government grant The second stage of the Federal funding will deliver another 6 kilometres of has been awarded to deliver an upgrade Government funded Drought walking trail along the shores of the lake. The to the Meningie North Jetty, including a Communities Programme projects will be trail will take travelers to what is referred to as jetty extension with capacity to berth delivered by 30 December 2020, and the lookout and then down to the Teringie multiple vessels. include; Coonalpyn Pool Precinct Wetlands and return. This project will focus on upgrade, Wadmore House Precinct developing job opportunities, deliver cultural upgrade, Peake Netball Courts upgrade, and nature-based tourism and support Tintinara Football Clubroom and Netball community wellbeing outcomes. $243,000

Courts upgrade, community hall upgrades and Tintinara Golf Club redevelopment. Combating Pests & Weed Impacts

During Drought Council’s Coorong Tatiara Local Action $439,000 Plan (CTLAP) received funding from the $300,000 Federal Government to deliver the

‘Communities Combating Pests & Weed Livestock Water Security & Water Impacts During Drought’. Up to 50% of Tailem Bend Public Toilets Upgrade Harvesting Projects overall pest plant control costs will be The public toilet amenities on Railway A suite of grants from State and Federal offered to participating farm businesses, Terrace, Tailem Bend will be upgraded Government will deliver a range of projects to together with subsidised baits for fox and to a more modern facility that will enable help demonstrate advances in on-farm water rabbit control, access to an innovative in- appropriate access and use for all security technologies facilitated by Council and paddock weed control and access to abilities. This project was carried over the CTLAP Team. technical advice through coordinated from 2019-20, and will be completed in workshops. 2020-21.

Significant factors have influenced the preparation of • Undertake a community survey for improved service outcomes Council’s 2020-21 ABP. These include: • Through the Long-Term Financial Plan, ensure Council returns to • The full economic and social impact of COVID-19 is the a financially sustainable position as soon as practicable post most significant influencer on Council’s plan and budget COVID-19. for 2020-21 • The drought declaration that has resulted in funding for drought projects through to December 2020 • Completion of the Drought Community Programme— Extension • Completion of nine projects delivered through Phase 1 of the • Hardship that may be experienced by the community post Drought Communities Programme, including; footpath upgrades drought and COVID-19 which will be mitigated through at and Meningie, Tailem Bend town street sealing rate hardship provisions, together with an operational (Myrtle Place and Pontt Street), lighting and power upgrade for deficit budget Meningie Lions Jubilee Park, public toilet upgrades at Peake and • Completion of Tailem Bend public toilets replacement Sherlock, Raukkan Gallery restoration, fit-out of the Tailem Bend project Cricket Clubrooms, and cemetery upgrades at Coonalpyn, Tintinara, Peake and Meningie • Maintain service standards on sealed and unsealed roads • Commencement of new Chief Executive Officer, Ms Bridget • Service review to improve internal organisational Mather in January 2020 efficiencies and effectiveness • Construction of new fixed floating pontoon facility and houseboat Council’s priorities will be: moorings at Dickson Reserve, Tailem Bend • Develop plans for Federally funded shovel-ready projects • Completion of Kulde Road such as the Murray Coorong Trail, Meningie Skate Park widening project (part-funded and Wadmore House precinct, and Coonalpyn Pool & through Round 6 of the Caravan Park precinct Federal Government’s Heavy • Completion of upgrade to Coonalpyn Swimming Pool Vehicle Safety and • Successfully apply for government grants Productivity Program and • Enhance Council’s profile within the community through Special Local Roads improved engagement and transparent decision making Program) • Identify cost saving initiatives without compromising • Commenced Council service delivery Service Review • Completion of the Community Vision Plan 2021-2025 • Commenced thorough audit and review of Council’s Policy suite • Commenced Rating Review www.coorong.sa.gov.au 2

For every $100 of general rates collected in 2020-21, Council will deliver the following services:

THE THE GOOD COMMUNITY ECONOMY GOVERNANCE Community Wellbeing Economic Development Council Administration Arts & culture, community services, Tourism & economic development, Staffing, Governance, elected community centres, Tintinara Men’s caravan park and campsites member support, Council goods & Shed, Tintinara gym, libraries, youth, Total Expenditure: $226,081 services, depreciation, finance costs communication Per $100 General Rates: $2 Total Expenditure: $874,300 Total Expenditure: $654,731 Per $100 General Rates: $6 Per $100 General Rates: $4 Planning & Development

By Laws & Local Government Act Open Spaces Corporate & Financial Services compliance, development assessment Information technology, records Parks & gardens, sport & recreation, – planning, building, strategic land use management, customer service, loan cemeteries, Narrung camp ground, planning Coonalpyn swimming pool servicing, finance, rates & debtor Total Expenditure: $604,800 processing, audit committee, general Total Expenditure: $787,807 Per $100 General Rates: $4 administration Per $100 General Rates: $5

Total Expenditure: $2,547,362 Environmental Services Transport & Road Related Per $100 General Rates: $17

Agricultural services, landscape, dog & Infrastructure cat management, environmental health, Asset management & field services, Organisational Development fire prevention, waste depots depots, plant & machinery, footpaths / Human resources, risk management, Total Expenditure: $1,171,213 cycle tracks, roads sealed & unsealed, work health & safety street cleaning, street lighting, Per $100 General Rates: $8 Total Expenditure: $447,588 stormwater Per $100 General Rates: $3 Buildings Total Expenditure: $6,606,248

Aged homes, council offices, halls, Per $100 General Rates: $45 health centres, property management, railway station, Point Malcolm lighthouse, public toilets, vandalism User pays (not included in the above) Total Expenditure: $960,752 Kerbside Collection Expenditure $697,212 Per $100 General Rates: $6 CWMS Expenditure $672,627 Water Scheme Expenditure $62,600

Coorong Council delivers a variety of services including: facilities, recreation facilities such as the Coonalpyn Swimming • Regulatory activities (e.g. dogs, cats, parking) Pool, town halls and public amenities. Additionally, Council • Managing of infrastructure, including roads, footpaths, parks leases various public properties. and public buildings • Street cleaning, refuse collection and recycling We also choose to deliver services to support the wellbeing • Development planning and control and prosperity of our community. These include: • Environmental health, including inspections and • Environmental and economic programs waste control • Community Wastewater Management Schemes • Protection of natural resources including parks, • Aged care and youth services reserves and rivers • On-street parking management On behalf of the community, we operate a number of facilities. • Tourism-related activities and facilities These include the Coonalpyn Caravan Park, waste management • Community art galleries and libraries • Social and recreational infrastructure www.coorong.sa.gov.au 3

Council has taken into consideration the impacts to its Service charges: Council seeks to cover the costs of operating community from COVID-19, drought and bushfire in and developing several schemes in the area, including: determining rate revenue for 2020-21. As a result, Council has • Community Wastewater Management Schemes: adopted a nil (0%) increase in general rate revenue for 2020- The charge for Tailem Bend, Coonalpyn, Meningie, Tintinara 21 (excluding growth). This is less than the 1.8% Consumer and Wellington East will be maintained at the 2019-20 level Price Index (CPI) forecasted growth for . of $605.

How rates are set and calculated: In setting rates Council • Water Supply System: For the towns of Wellington East has considered current economic challenges facing local and Peake, the supply charge will be maintained at the communities, measured against responsible governance, now 2019-20 level of $235 and a fee of $0.60c/kilolitre for water and into the future. As a result, rate increases have been kept consumed from the scheme will be applied. to a minimum, while making sure Council can deliver vital • Kerbside Waste Management: The charge will be services, identified in forward plans, including the: maintained at the 2019-20 level of $330 for eligible • 2016-2020 Strategic Management Plan; properties. • 10-year Long Term Financial Plan; and • Asset Management Plans which set capital works, Other levies and charges: The Regional Landscape Levy maintenance and renewal programs for our assets. (formerly NRM Levy) for the & Council decides all projects, services and operating Landscape Board and the Landscape Board, expenses for the year, then determines how much revenue is a South Australian Government tax which Council is obliged is required to be raised by rating properties net of any to collect on their behalf. It is shown as a separate charge on other sources of revenue (e.g. statutory charges, user your rates notice. For those covered by the Limestone Coast charges, grants, investment income, reimbursements and Landscape Board (formerly South East Natural Resource other income). Management Board), the levy has been set as the following for 2020-21: Rates are comprised of: • Residential/vacant/other - $83.00 A Fixed Charge: $360 • Commercial - $125.00 A Differential Rate based on land use and location: • Industrial - $198.00 • Residential (being the base rate) – 1.00 • Primary production - $370.00 • Vacant land – 1.20 The Murraylands & Riverland Landscape Levy is applied at • Primary production – 0.85 0.02155 cents in the dollar for 2020-21. • Commercial/Industrial/Other – 1.00 • Bulk handling zone – 2.85 Rate rebates: Council is obliged to provide mandatory rate rebates to a range of land uses in the areas of health, Land valuation: The capital value of your property is used to emergency services, education, religion and community determine your rates. We believe this is the fairest way of services. In addition, the Council extends discretionary rebates distributing the rate burden across all ratepayers. to community centres and museums, halls and sporting/recreation facilities. To determine eligibility for a rebate, Rate capping: The 10% Rate Capping Rebate will continue to please refer to the Rate Rebate Policy on our website. be available for 2020-21 for properties that have been

impacted by significant valuation increases. Council provides Rating policy in more detail: Our Rating Policy can be found capping of 10% for ALL differential rating categories in full on our website. Council has also reviewed its Debt (excluding those properties within the Bulk Handling Zone). Recovery and Financial Hardship Policy to ensure it is fair, Eligibility criteria applies. up-to-date and relevant during these times.

P: 1300 785 277 E: [email protected] 95-101 Railway Tce, Tailem Bend SA 5260 PO Box 399, Tailem Bend SA 5260

Read the full plan at: www.coorong.sa.gov.au