Council adopts 2026/27 plan to maintain services and manage costs

The City of Port Lincoln has adopted its 2026/27 Annual Business Plan and Budget at a Special Council Meeting held on Monday 29 June 2026, following community consultation.

The plan focuses on maintaining essential services, renewing existing community assets and managing financial pressures during a difficult cost-of-living period.

Mayor Diana Mislov said, “The 2026/27 Annual Business Plan strikes a careful balance between maintaining services, investing in priority infrastructure and limiting additional financial pressure on households and businesses.”

“Council understands that many people in our community are facing increased cost-of-living pressures,”

“That is why this budget has been carefully prepared to maintain the services our community relies on, renew the infrastructure we already have, and manage costs as responsibly as possible.”

“At the same time, Council is continuing to invest in projects that improve safety, reduce long-term costs and support the liveability of Port Lincoln.”

The 2026/27 plan includes $5.3 million for capital renewal and $3.1 million for new and upgraded assets. Key projects and services include:

• an annual road reseal program, with funding increased by 12.5%
• installation of a roundabout at the Le Brun/Verran intersection, primarily funded through the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program
• continued delivery of the FOGO 3-Bin Kerbside Collection Program, supporting improved waste diversion and resource recovery, and partially funded through Green Industries SA
• renewal of the Tasman Terrace Boardwalk, primarily funded through the Algal Bloom Response Local Government Fund Grant
• significant footpath and kerb renewal works, supporting safer pedestrian access and renewal of existing streetscape infrastructure
• significant investment in stormwater improvements to reduce localised flooding
• continuation of the Electrification and Solar Project at the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre, primarily funded through the Australian Government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund and intended to deliver significant operational savings
• re-grouting of the pool and repairs to the spa at the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre.

Council’s total general rate revenue increase of 4.9% is consistent with the Adelaide Consumer Price Index for the March 2026 quarter. To reduce the impact on ratepayers, Council has maintained a 25% cap on general rates for eligible properties, and applied a consistent weighting across different land uses to reduce large or sudden rate increases.

“Council staff had secured grant funding and external partnerships to support several important projects, including the Le Brun/Verran intersection upgrade, the Leisure Centre Electrification and Solar Project, the FOGO 3-Bin Kerbside Collection Program and the Tasman Terrace Boardwalk renewal.”

“This external funding helps Council make roads safer, reduce operating costs, improve services and renew existing community assets without placing the full cost on ratepayers,” said Mayor Mislov.

Community feedback informed the final plan, with Council hosting public information sessions and providing an opportunity for community members to present verbal submissions directly to elected members at the June council meeting, in addition to Council’s regular means of public consultation.

Council received a total 16 submissions throughout the public consultation period, relating to a variety of topics including fiscal management and cost of living pressures, community sustainability measures and stormwater management. All feedback submissions were given due consideration, with many of the priorities raised reflected in Council’s plan.

“Public feedback is an important part of how Council makes informed decisions, and we thank those community members who provided their commentary on the plan.”

“While not all feedback results in immediate changes, it helps guide where we focus our efforts and ensures our planning reflects the needs and concerns of our community,” said Mayor Mislov.

The 2026/27 Annual Business Plan and Budget is available to view on Council’s website at www.portlincoln.sa.gov.au/documents/abp.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

City of Port Lincoln Chief Executive Officer Eric Brown

Ph: 8621 2325 | Email: plcc@plcc.sa.gov.au