Annual Business Plan 2021-22

This consultation is now complete.

Council adopted the Annual Business Plan 2021-22 at its Ordinary Meeting on 22 June 2021. A Summary Brochure of the Annual Business Plan which will be sent to all Ratepayers with their July rates notice.

We thank our 85 participants who provided feedback on the Draft Annual Business Plan. Feedback was used to inform the final plan presented to and discussed by Council on Tuesday 8 June 2021.

All feedback from the community was collated and summarised in the Community Engagement Outcomes Report and can be viewed in the document library on the right. Included in Appendix B of this report are responses to some of the written feedback items we received during the process.

The full report presented to Council including the community consultation report can be found in the 210608 Special Council Meeting Agenda - Public.pdf (ahc.sa.gov.au).

After reviewing community feedback, Council implemented the following changes to the Draft Annual Business Plan 2021-22:

1. Inclusion of a $50 contribution regime for European Wasp nest removal
2. Removal of two strategic initiatives that related to ongoing wages of staff members that were already incorporated into the budget (B4008 – Combined maintenance team and E1001 – economic development officer)
3. Inclusion of a new initiative under Economy Goal to “Undertake an expression of interest process for ascertaining the level of interest and viability of ‘free’-camping sites in the district”
4. Inclusion of a “rate in the dollar” table to assist in demonstrating how rates are calculated
5. Minor edits to help improve reader understanding

Council also requested that increased expenditure on the footpath program be considered in the next Long Term Financial Plan.

Background

Every year, Council develops an annual business plan that details the programs, projects and services we deliver to our community and how these will be funded. Our Draft Annual Business Plan 2021-22 outlines how we propose to allocate resources to achieve the community-supported goals set in our Strategic Plan 2020-24 – A Brighter Future, which was developed in close consultation with our community.

Our focus in 2021-22 is on supporting the Adelaide Hills community, environment and economy to recover and strengthen through the challenges we continue to face from bushfires and COVID-19. Additional focus and investment on tree management will help us manage the ongoing risks and requests across our large and diverse region.

The plan and budget aligns with our Long Term Financial Plan, Strategic Plan and Asset Management Plans each of which are consulted on with the community prior to their adoption.

Our budget maintains a sustainable path despite the continuing challenges of bushfires and COVID-19. Our success in securing grant funding as well as funding from different tiers of Government to drive economic development, recovery support and investment in our community, has provided us with a higher than normal operating surplus this year. Successful Grants include one for further development to the FABRIK Arts and Heritage Hub at Lobethal, and one for various development projects under the “Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program”.

Rate revenue accounts for approximately 80% of Council's operating income and rates are calculated on the capital value of properties. These valuations are undertaken by the Office of the Valuer-General. The Valuer General has recently completed a revaluation exercise of properties in the Adelaide Hills Council area. This is likely to result in many rate assessments experiencing a change in rates payable higher or lower than the average rate increase proposed.

Council has modified the rate capping strategy to try to lessen the impact of the revaluations on residents. Further details of this are here.

The draft budget for 2021-22 is based on a rate increase of 2.5% and estimated growth of 1.0%. For an average value residential property, this equates to an annual increase of approximately $50. Rate increases may vary from the average where there has been new development, capital improvements or other significant change to the value of the property.

The full Draft Annual Business Plan 2021-22 can be accessed in the document library on the right or viewed at any of Council’s Libraries and Service Centres. Alternatively, you can request a copy by email at engage@ahc.sa.gov.au or by phone on 8408 0400.

How to Have Your Say

• You can ask us a question below or by calling us on 8408 0400 during business hours.
• You can provide your written feedback:
  1. Preferably using the online feedback form below
  2. via email to engage@ahc.sa.gov.au
  3. via mail to Annual Business Plan, PO Box 44, Woodside SA 5244
  4. Print and send us a hardcopy feedback form which can be printed from the document library on the right.
  5. In person, at the ordinary Council meeting, Tuesday 25 May, 6:30 - 7:30pm, at the Stirling Council Chamber, 62 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling.

For feedback to be considered it must be received by Council no later than 5pm, Wednesday 26 May 2021.