The Rural City of Murray Bridge has released its Draft 2026-27 Annual Business Plan and Budget for consultation. It sets out what Council plans to deliver next year, including services, community projects and proposed rates.
In preparing this budget, Council has taken a balanced and responsible approach, carefully considering the increasing cost-of-living pressures facing households, while maintaining a strong focus on long-term financial sustainability.
Importantly, this approach has enabled Council to deliver an average general rate increase of 3.9%. This increase remains below CPI, helping to ease financial pressure on the community, while continuing to invest in the services and infrastructure for our rural city.
Council acknowledges in the Plan, that following the sale of the Lerwin Residential Aged Care Facility last year, it is moving into a different operating environment. Following a resolution by Council, the investment of the sale proceeds will be considered by the newly elected Council later this year.
Council now invites the community to provide feedback on the Draft 2026-27 Annual Business Plan and Budget.
In line with this, Council has also released its Draft Long Term Financial Plan, Draft Fees and Charges Schedule and Draft Rating Policy 2026-27 for community consultation.
How to provide feedback:
Community members can view the draft plan and budget and provide feedback via Council’s consultation portalletstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au.Paper copies can be found at the Local Government Centre and the Murray Bridge Library.
Council is encouraging the community to provide feedback on the plan via:
- Online survey: See below
- Email response:council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au
- Post: Rural City of Murray Bridge, PO Box 421, Murray Bridge SA 5253
- Verbal submission: To be made at the Council meeting on Tuesday 9 June. Each speaker is allocated a maximum of five minutes. Register your interest via phone (8539 1100) or email:council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au.
Consultation closes 11:59pm Tuesday 9 June 2026.
