The City of Mount Gambier 2023/2024 Annual Business Plan and Budget, Long Term Financial Plan 2024 – 2033 and Interim Asset Management Summary 2024 – 2033 were adopted at a Special Council Meeting held on Tuesday 27 June 2023.
The budget outlines a total spend of $45.1 million in operating expenditure to be expended on waste management and disposal, development assessment and planning services, library services, community development and events. It will also include the maintenance/depreciation of infrastructure and building assets including roads, footpaths, lighting, stormwater drainage, cemeteries and other council properties.
“$5.8m has been allocated to renew assets including buildings and structures, infrastructure and plant and equipment. An additional $3.9 million has also been allocated to new/upgrades including Caroline Landfill, Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre and other buildings and infrastructure,” City of Mount Gambier CEO Sarah Philpott said.
“Our budget includes the means for strategic endeavours to set us up for success as we work on the Crater Lakes activation and continuing to implement the Waste Management Strategy, the Reconciliation Action Plan and the Sport, Recreation and Open Space Strategy.”
Council’s estimated operating deficit in 2023/2024 is $2.8 million, driven by increasing cost pressures including electricity, fuel, interest rates and manufacturing.
“We are not alone in this, and similar challenges are being faced by all councils across South Australia,” Ms Philpott said.
