At a Special Council Meeting on June 13, 2025, Elected Members endorsed a $9.7 million operating budget that limits general rate increases to just 3.3 per cent, despite ongoing inflationary pressures and service demands across the council area.
“This is a budget shaped by financial discipline,” said Mayor Leonie Kerley. “We’ve kept the increase in general rates as low as possible while ensuring we continue to deliver essential services and invest in critical infrastructure.”
The endorsed budget also includes a 2.5 per cent increase in line with CPI and allows for a further 1.4 per cent uplift from modest region-wide growth in new rateable properties.
Despite these adjustments, Barunga West continues to have some of the lowest rates in regional South Australia. Rates are approximately 14 per cent below the rural council average for residential properties, and 6 per cent below across all property types.
To help offset costs and keep rate rises low, Council has more than $300,000 in savings across operations. This includes:
- $92,000 saved by not replacing a vacant Project Support Officer role
- $40,000 reduction in external consultancy for asset management
- $40,000 saved by removing the Community Grants program for 2025/26
- $120,000 additional income from resuming direct management of the Bayside Caravan Park
- $10,000 saved by removing the allocation for the Dog Park Upgrade from the 2025/26 Budget.
“These efficiency measures have avoided the need for an additional 4 per cent in rate increases,” Interim CEO Paul Simpson said. “We’ve tightened our belts and sharpened our focus on long-term financial sustainability.”
Council continues to outperform its peers in financial efficiency, with expenses per rateable property 15 per cent lower than the average for similar Rural Agricultural Medium (RAM) councils. It remains on track to eliminate all debt by 2031–32.
In 2025–26, $4.5 million will be invested in capital works, including:
- Road upgrades and reseals ($740,000)
- Fleet and plant replacement ($1.5m)
- Residential and industrial land development in Port Broughton and Bute
- Improvements to local community assets including Mundoora Tennis Courts and wastewater infrastructure.
The adopted Long-Term Financial Plan aims to return Council to a modest operating surplus by 2026-27, as recommended by the Essential Services Commission following its 2023 review.
“This is a prudent, forward-looking budget that reflects our responsibility to the community,” Mayor Kerley said. “It supports growth, protects services, and keeps rates affordable during challenging times.”