Have your say on how SA councils spend your rates

Many councils across the state have released these draft documents for consultation, and some have projected higher rate rises due to escalating costs and inflation.

Councils face pressure to maintain the delivery of essential services to their communities while dealing with reduced federal funding, as Federal Financial Assistance Grants have almost halved over the past three decades.

LGA President Mayor Dean Johnson said the past few years had been challenging for many people, and high inflation was putting pressure on the cost of goods and services.

“The past few years have been tough for many, and rising inflation has made the cost of living incredibly difficult for families and individuals,” Mayor Johnson said.

“While councils will work to keep rates low through budget savings and balancing investments, these pressures are affecting council costs in a real way.

“Adelaide's Consumer Price Index has risen by almost 8% over the past 12 months, while things like road costs and construction materials have increased by up to 25%.”

Mayor Johnson said councils are an efficient tier of government and although the focus is often on state and federal programs across health, defence and education, investments at a local level are critical.

“Keeping streets clean, maintaining parks and playgrounds, providing library services and sporting facilities, running community centres – these are vital for wellbeing, safe neighbourhoods and thriving communities,” Mayor Johnson said.

“Councils also take careful consideration of long-term financial sustainability and what future services and infrastructure are needed for growth and improved liveability.”

Mayor Johnson said there are many ways people can have their say on how their rates are spent, including in person at council meetings, through written feedback or by making an online submission.

“Councils need to make difficult calls to not fund, or defer, programs or projects to balance their budgets, which affects the lives of people and their neighborhoods – so it’s important communities contribute to these decisions,” Mayor Johnson said.

“During the pandemic, many councils froze their rates to help their communities through an extremely challenging and unprecedented time.

“However, spiking inflation has meant councils need to factor this in when setting their rates for the upcoming financial year.”

SA councils receive the lowest level of grants and subsidies per head in the country and have for the past 10 years consistently operated with the lowest total revenue per head of any Australian state.

Despite this, SA council rate increases per head have been trending down over the past decade to 2021-22.

Mayor Johnson urged anyone enduring financial hardship to speak with their council about flexible rate payment options sooner rather than later.

“If you’re having difficulty paying rates, please talk to your council before you start falling behind – they have mechanisms available to help you,” Mayor Johnson said.

“Short term solutions for ratepayers may include payment plans, while the postponement of rates could be considered as a longer-term option, depending on your individual circumstances.

“Above all else, councils want to assist and support people through financial stress or hardship, where possible.”

For further information contact LGA Media: 0476 853 689 | media@lga.sa.gov.au