Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2025-26

Maintaining existing services while actively preparing for growth is the primary theme of the Rural City of Murray Bridge’s Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2025–26, with a focus on what really matters - our places, people, planning and strong partnerships.

Public consultation on the plan is now open for a 21-day period, closing at 5pm on Thursday 5 June. As part of this consultation, Council is also seeking feedback on the Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges and Rating Policy for 2025–26.

The Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget outlines the services, activities and infrastructure projects Council proposes to deliver over the next 12 months - supporting the needs of our growing community while maintaining the core services residents value, like maintaining public spaces, hosting community events, and delivering community programs.

Key features of the plan include:

• Infrastructure delivery on the East Side
• A Stormwater Management Plan for Murray Bridge
• Development of an Open Space Master Plan
• Footpath Expansion Program
• Delivering the next stage of the Swanport Road Masterplan
• Wharf Hill lighting upgrades
• Support for the Murraylands Skills Centre
• Delivery of the Major Events Program

Council is proposing an overall operating budget of $73.4M for 2025–26, including:

• Income of $62.1M including $39.1M in general rates revenue
• $63.3M expenditure for services and key projects
• $9.4M expenditure for renewal of community assets
• At least $710,000 expenditure for enhancement of community assets

The Draft Budget considers that the Valuer-General has on average lifted property values by 7.5% throughout the Rural City of Murray Bridge. To ease the burden on rate payers, Council is proposing to reduce the existing rate in the dollar by 2%.

The result is an overall 4.8% average rates increase for existing rate payers.

This means the average residential rate for existing rate payers will be $2,297.

The Draft Budget reflects the community's feedback during the recent Rating Structure review process.

While the Rating Structure determines how rates are distributed across properties in our community, a Rating Policy outlines how Council collects rates. As required by the Local Government Act, Council has reviewed its Rating Policy with a single change proposed to increase the vacant land differential rate from 30% to 50% above the base rate. This change is to encourage development and boost housing supply while limiting the impact on the rest of the rate base including residents, primary production and business.

Printed copies of the documents and feedback forms can also be accessed at the Local Government Centre and the Murray Bridge Library.

A Drop-in Information Session will be held on Wednesday 21 May between 4.30- 6.00pm at the Local Government Centre, 2 Seventh Street, Murray Bridge. Council staff will be available to answer any specific questions and the community is welcome to drop in anytime between 4.30 – 6.00pm.

Feedback on the plan and policy can be provided via:

• Lets Talk Murray Bridge
• council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au
• Post: Rural City of Murray Bridge, PO Box 421, Murray Bridge SA 5253

Verbal submissions can be made at the Council’s Special Meeting on Wednesday 4 June 2025 at 7.00 PM. Each speaker will be allocated a maximum of five minutes to make their submission and the meeting will be held for at least one hour.

To register your interest in making a verbal submission please contact council via 8539 1100 or council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.