2026-27 Annual Business Plan
Council's Annual Business Plan sets out our key directions and projects for the coming year, what these projects are aiming to achieve, their cost, and how they will advance the overall strategic direction for our district.
Budget Highlights
Rates in 2026-27
In setting the proposed rates for the 2026-27 financial year, Council considered the need to keep rate increases as low as possible whilst also considering resources required to deliver Council services, changes in valuation, and the implementation of a range of Council's strategic plans.
Council has proposed a 3.9% general and fixed charge increase for the 2026-27 year. It is to be noted that the actual increase payable by any individual ratepayer may be more or less than this, depending on the movement in the capital value of their property (relative to the average).
As part of setting the rates, a review of council’s service charges was carried out. This has resulted in an increase of 3.9% for Council’s Waste Management Service charge and the Community Wastewater Management will increase by 6%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Rates continue to be Council’s main source of income, bringing in 62.19% of overall revenue, which ensures we can fund the renewal and development of our infrastructure assets and maintain or improve our services to the community.
In addition to rates revenue, Council also receives income from statutory charges (1.02%), user charges (5.52%), grants, subsidies and contributions (29.05%), investment income (0.58%), reimbursements (0.50%) and other (1.15%).
Capital expenditure refers to the funds an organisation spends on acquiring and upgrading physical assets like property, equipment, or infrastructure.
Operating expenditure encompasses the day-to-day costs incurred by an organisation in its normal operation.
Some of the key budget items for the coming year are:
- Drogemuller and Heinrich Road Stage 1 Upgrades - $3,000,000
- Road works including re-sheeting and re-seals - $3,546,135
- Loxton and Waikerie Ramco Shared Path Projects (Stage 2) - $1,131,428
- Footpath, kerbing and walking trail projects - $560,680
- Economic growth and prosperity initiatives - $230,000
- Community event and project support - $202,333
For a full list of the projects being funded, please visit pages 19-27 of the Annual Business Plan.
General rates are Council’s primary source of income to fund the services and projects provided to the community. Council has adopted differential rating which will apply to all rateable land and is based on the capital value of the property. Rates vary depending on location and land use.
How much you pay is calculated by taking the rate in the dollar and multiplying it by our property valuation.
Council rates also incorporate a fixed charge, as well as service charges for the Community Waste Management System (CWMS), waste management, and the regional landscape levy.
Per $100:
- Infrastructure & Roads ($44.23)
- Projects ($27)
- Admin & Governance ($11.18)
- Community ($9.39)
- Environment & Development ($8.20)
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Community Engagement Activities
Community engagement concluded on Sunday 8 February 2026, with results reported to Council during budget workshops. Council received 45 contributions across the two activities (Community Survey & Pitch Your Project).
To view the community engagement activities, click on the cards below. To view the results, head to the Document Library.
