30 Apr, 2018

Have Your Say on the City's Integrated Business Plan

The City of Adelaide intends to freeze the rate in the dollar for the fourth year in a row and has further good news in store as it releases the draft 2018-19 Integrated Business Plan.

Available for community feedback now, Lord Mayor Martin Haese says Council has again delivered a strong and sustainable draft Integrated Business Plan to support the city’s continued economic growth and liveability.

“Our Integrated Business Plan is directly aligned to the City of Adelaide’s Strategic Plan, with funds being prioritised for projects and initiatives that support our objectives of Adelaide becoming a smart, green, liveable and creative city,” said the Lord Mayor.

Council continues to support the growth of our city through strategic investment which will promote increased private investment, attract more visitors, grow the residential population, and create jobs.

Importantly, ratepayers are set to benefit from Council’s intention to freeze the rate in the dollar for the fourth year in a row. Council plans to freeze the general rate in the dollar for 2018-19 at the same levels as 2017-18 for both residential and non-residential ratepayers.*

The Lord Mayor says an ongoing commitment to freezing the rate in the dollar is part of Council’s drive to minimise potential financial impacts on ratepayers, while continuing to deliver high-quality services.

“Once again, the draft Plan reflects a diligent and rigorous process of reviewing every aspect of this Council’s projected revenue and expenditure.

“This Council is committed to managing ratepayers’ dollars carefully and responsibly, and I am confident this draft Plan has achieved that purpose.”

Key features of the 2018-19 Plan include:

• Council’s proposal to put a freeze on the rate in the dollar for the fourth year in a row, keeping costs as low as possible for our community.
• Looking after ‘the basics’ with an investment of $39.4 million in city infrastructure, including $5.6 million towards main streets projects, $5.5 million for residential streets, and $2 million towards laneway activation.
• Ensuring we remain one of the world’s most liveable cities with an investment of $15.8 million in Park Lands projects and maintenance, including $5.3 million to improve community facilities with play spaces, lighting, landscaping and accessibility.
• Supporting our community with a total of $7.6 million in grants, sponsorships, incentives and support to our strategic partners.
• Backing business growth and innovation opportunities with $2.1 million worth of funds, including $208,000 in support of Renew Adelaide, $260,000 for international student attraction organisation Study Adelaide, $274,000 for Entrepreneur Support Initiatives, and $364,000 to Adelaide Convention Bureau to attract more business tourism.
• An investment of $5.1 million into ensuring we remain a creative city, including $1.9 million for Festival & Event Sponsorship Program, $170,000 to support live music, and $852,000 to help deliver of our Cultural Strategy objectives.

Council will also invest in a number of strategic incentive programs which have returned strong investment dividends for the city such as a $1.4 million Climate Change Action initiatives fund, $1.3 million for Carbon Neutral Adelaide measures (including the installation of solar photovoltaics on City of Adelaide owned buildings) and $1.3 million for built heritage management grants.

The Lord Mayor is calling on the community to provide feedback about how the Council plans to manage its spending and revenue before the Integrated Business Plan is finalised in late June.

“Every Councillor is keen to hear from the community about our priorities, so I encourage people to get in touch, especially to learn more about the major projects we are working on.

“The purchase of the 88 O’Connell Street site in North Adelaide is one such project.

“After nearly 30 years, Council has taken ownership of the site, which has already now been activated, and will control future development within a reasonable timeframe.

“This approach will ensure the community has the greatest possible input into the vision for the site.

“Council has also announced the roll-out of the Ten Gigabit Adelaide high-speed, fibre-optic network with our official network partner TPG Telecom.

“This 21st century infrastructure is an Australian first which creates a strong competitive advantage for local business, and creates a strong platform to attract new businesses and investment to the City of Adelaide – furthering our reputation as a connected, smart, and entrepreneurial city.”

Consultation on the draft Integrated Business Plan is open from today until midnight on Tuesday 22 May. Feedback can be provided:

• Online at: www.yoursay.cityofadelaide.com.au
• Via email at: [email protected]
• In writing to: Community Consultation: Draft 2018-19 Integrated Business Plan GPO Box 2252, Adelaide SA 5001
• Feedback forms are available from City of Adelaide’s Customer Service Centre, libraries and community centres.
• A Public Hearing will also be held on Tuesday 22 May 2018 at 5.00pm at the Adelaide Town Hall for public submissions, questions and answers with Council Members.

* Final rates payable are subject to updated property valuations to be provided by the SA Valuer-General.

Simon Latimer