15 June, 2017

Strong, sustainable business plan to boost city’s economic growth and liveability

Council has endorsed its annual financial blueprint to improve services and infrastructure across the City of Adelaide.

The 2017-18 Integrated Business Plan funds major improvements to key transport links, streetscapes and Park Land facilities, and initiatives that will drive continued growth and increase the City’s liveability and sustainability.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese said Council had listened carefully to community feedback, with more than 50 individual and group submissions received on the draft Business Plan during a three-week consultation period in May.

“We have delivered a balanced budget that reflects Council’s commitment to delivering its Strategic Plan in a financially responsible and sustainable manner,” he said.

“Every single project and service is aimed at making Adelaide a smarter, greener, more liveable and creative city.”

Highlights for next financial year include:

• Investment of $33.8 million in city infrastructure to ensure Adelaide remains one of the world’s most liveable cities
• Contribution of $16.8 million (bringing total investment to $34.2 million) for the City Bikeways network, Gawler Place redevelopment, and Market to Riverbank Laneways Link
• Contribution of $2.5 million (bringing total investment to $5 million) towards the East End tram stop and streetscape upgrades along North Terrace as part of the State Government’s tram extension from King William Street to East Terrace
• Commitment of $14.8 million to Park Lands projects and maintenance (including $4.7 million to improve community facilities with better play spaces, lighting, landscaping and accessibility)
• Allocation of $7.3 million in grants and sponsorships to support a range of cultural celebrations, community collaborations and recreational events, working with strategic partners such as Festivals Adelaide, Renew Adelaide, Study Adelaide, Adelaide Convention Bureau and Music SA
• Grants and sponsorships includes strategic incentive program investment with $1.4 million allocated for Council’s Climate Change Action initiatives fund and $1.3 million for built heritage management grants
• Commitment of $1.1 million towards business growth and innovation opportunities to promote economic development
• Allocation of $0.5 million to continue work on the next stage of the Central Market Arcade
  Redevelopment Master Plan, and
• Ongoing support for community centres and libraries, as well as homelessness, volunteering,
  reconciliation and community development programs.

The Lord Mayor also acknowledged the work performed by Council’s administration, who are delivering
operational efficiencies while also improving the customer experience for our community.

“Following reviews of Council’s operations, we have been able to reduce our general operating expenditure
below the previous year, while still being able to deliver high quality, responsive services to the 220,000
people who visit the city daily.

“Despite competitive challenges, contributions from Council’s business operations are also projected to
increase, lowering the burden on ratepayers.

“The other good news for ratepayers is that for the third consecutive year, Council has frozen the rate in the
dollar, with the intent of keeping costs as low as possible for our community,” he concluded.

Simon Latimer