Council's Annual Business Plan focuses on asset renewals and service provision

The City of Port Lincoln is inviting community feedback on its Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026/27, which was endorsed for public consultation at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 18 May 2026.

Mayor Diana Mislov said “The draft budget had been prepared with a clear focus on cost-of-living pressures, essential service delivery, responsible financial management and renewing existing community assets.”

“We know many households and businesses are continuing to manage rising costs, and Council has worked hard to prepare a draft budget that limits the impact on ratepayers as much as possible.”

“The draft budget proposes an average 4.9 per cent increase in general rates by land use category, broadly in line with CPI.”

“That has been a deliberate focus. Council is managing significant cost pressures of its own, but has worked to keep the proposed rate increase close to inflation while still maintaining services and renewing community assets.”

Council has also proposed an adjustment to the application of the rate increase across land use categories to help limit larger fluctuations and reduce rating shocks as much as possible.

“The intent is to limit larger fluctuations and keep the average increase for each land use category at or near 4.9 per cent,” said Mayor Mislov.

“Individual rate notices may still vary due to independent property valuations, land use, concessions and other individual circumstances.”

“However, the proposed approach is designed to reduce rating shocks as much as possible and provide a more consistent outcome for ratepayers.”

A 25 per cent rate cap will also remain in place for eligible properties for the third and final year.

City of Port Lincoln Chief Executive Officer Eric Brown said, “The draft budget reflected a disciplined approach to cost management during a challenging financial period.”

“Council is facing many of the same cost pressures as households and businesses, particularly in areas such as fuel, bitumen, construction materials, utilities and contracted services.”

“Council is a fuel and bitumen-intensive organisation, and those costs directly affect services such as road maintenance, waste operations, parks and gardens, inspections and infrastructure renewal.”

“The focus has been on managing those pressures carefully and limiting how much is passed through to ratepayers.”

The draft budget proposes a minor operating deficit of $67,000, representing approximately 0.2 per cent of operating expenditure. In practical terms, this is close to a break-even operating position and represents an improvement on previous Long Term Financial Plan projections.

Council’s current financial forecasts show an expected return to operating surplus in the 2028/29 financial year.

Mr Brown said “The draft budget also maintains a strong focus on renewing existing community assets.”

“Importantly, Council is not achieving this position by stepping back from asset renewal.”

“The draft budget maintains a 100 per cent Asset Renewal Funding Ratio, meaning Council is continuing to invest in renewing the roads, footpaths, kerbing, stormwater, open space and community facilities our community already owns.”

“Deferring renewal may reduce costs in the short term, but it can create larger costs for future ratepayers. This draft budget seeks to balance current cost-of-living pressures with the need to responsibly manage community assets for the long term,” said Mr Brown.

Mayor Mislov said, “Council would continue to seek grant funding and other income sources to reduce the burden on ratepayers wherever possible.”

“This draft budget is about balance: keeping the proposed rate increase close to CPI, maintaining essential services, continuing responsible asset renewal, and limiting the impact on ratepayers as much as possible.”

Key projects proposed in the 2026/27 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget include:

• Annual Road Reseal Program
• Installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Verran Terrace and St Andrews Terrace
• Renewal of the Foreshore Boardwalk
• Ongoing footpath and kerb renewal program
• Progression of the multi-year Electrification and Solar Project at the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre
• Re-grouting of the pool and repairs to the spa at the Leisure Centre

The Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget has been developed in alignment with Council’s Strategic Directions Plan 2025–2035 and other adopted strategies, with a strong emphasis on responsible financial management, service delivery, asset renewal and long-term sustainability.

Community members are encouraged to review the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget and provide feedback during the consultation period, open from Thursday, 21 May 2026 to 9am on Friday, 12 June 2026.

Two community drop-in information sessions will be held at the Port Lincoln Library, providing an opportunity to speak directly with Elected Members and Council staff:

• Thursday, 4 June 2026, 10am to 6.30pm
• Friday, 5 June 2026, 9am to 3pm

Submissions can be made online via Council’s Engagement Hub at yoursay.portlincoln.sa.gov.au or in writing via email to yoursay@plcc.sa.gov.au, by post or delivered in person.

Community members may also present a verbal submission at the June Ordinary Council Meeting, to be held at 6.30pm on Monday, 15 June 2026. Those wishing to speak are asked to notify Council by Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

City of Port Lincoln Chief Executive Officer Eric Brown
Ph:  8621 2325 | Email: plcc@plcc.sa.gov.au