Cr Crash Downward has queried the impact of a 5 per cent rate rise on the district’s farmers already paying thousands of dollars each week to feed their livestock.

Naracoorte Lucindale Council relies on the district’s farming families to fund around 60 per cent of its proposed $12.726m rate revenue.

An average 5 per cent rate rise is projected by the council’s administration as part of a draft 2025-26 budget and business plan.

All up, the budget seeks a total income of $22.676 million.

In addition to rate revenue, it has budgeted for other income:

• Service charges – $2.248m.
• Statutory charges – $263,000.
• User charges -$2.52m.
• Grants, subsidies and contributions – $4.301m.
• Investment income – $359,000.
• Reimbursements – $154,000.
• “Other income” – $106,000.

The council’s proposed capital works program prepared by its administration includes significant projects in and around Naracoorte.

At least $426,180 of kerbing and water table works is planned for both sides of Butler Tce from Gordon to Foster streets; along both sides of Rolland St from Smith to Robertson streets, and the left side of Smith St between Sandstone and Rolland streets.

A further $182,221 is earmarked for footpaths on Cedar Ave, Smith St, Rolland St and along Hinckley St to Rolland and Arthur streets.

Some major roadworks planned includes $1.48m each for Diagonal Rd and Moyhall Rd while Grubbed Rd design works are allocated $139,248.

Resealing projects totalling $726,950 have been budgeted for Langkoop Rd, Aitchison Ave and Lochaber North Rd.

Resheeting works have been flagged for Hodges La, East Settlement Rd, Gunning Rd, Schinckel’s Rd, Laurie Park Rd and Ellisons Rd.

Shuard’s La, which was endorsed to be fixed last year, is not listed.

Some other projects proposed include:

• $1,212,420 –Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange – self funded upgrades.
• $476,374 – Naracoorte Swimming Lake – café improvements – a new undercover outdoor dining area, disability access ramps, shade structures and amenities.
• $361,550 – Leicester Street playground.
• $280,852 – Naracoorte Cemetery upgrades.
• $268,580 – Naracoorte Creek and Creekwalk improvements.
• $216,930 – Naracoorte Aerodrome bitumen runway seal.
• $130,413 – Naracoorte Pioneer Park – a new gazebo, paving, BBQ, street furniture, and pathways.
• $96,394 on buildings – depot roof replacement, paving between the Art Gallery and Bowls Club, and new chairs and an upgraded bar area in the Town Hall supper room.
• $86,366 on a sandbag filler, vehicle signal boosters and backup generator for disaster recovery.
• $750,000 – Lucindale main street.
• $97,848 – trail work at Loechel Park.
• $5000 – Frances masterplan public amenities review.

All up a proposed total expenditure of $22.887m includes:

• 64.7 full time equivalent employee costs – $6.751m.
• Material, contracts and “other expenses” – $7.548m.
• Depreciation, amortisation, and impairment – $8.454m.

The 40-page proposed budget and business plan includes a $210,000 deficit and a closed cash reserve of $6.338m.

It was released at a special council meeting on April 30 with a recommendation that the council endorse it for public comment.

Manager finance and corporate Alex Edmonds explained it was based on discussions from previous workshops.

“We talked about a rate revenue rise, which we are looking at five percent,” she said.

Mayor Patrick Ross called on councillors to take the budget out to the community and ask for their opinion as “the community doesn’t come to us”.

Cr Darren Turner believed it was important for Ms Edmonds to highlight that people’s property valuations were set by the Valuer-General, not councils.

Explaining the Valuer-General’s role, Ms Edmonds also said a landowner could dispute a valuation. But that was done with the Valuer-General’s office, not the council.

Cr Abigail Goodman said given the budget constraints and cost of living crisis, she wanted to revisit the amount allocated for a new playground at Leicester Park – currently $361,550.

Cr Downward said he had a concern regarding the current situation with the rural community and how they could pay their rates this year.

He referred to an article in The [Naracoorte] News which highlighted farmers spending $2000 a week to feed their livestock.

“They (farmers) are looking at going to banks to raise funds to remain viable,” Cr Downward said.

“Is there anything we can look at, or can do?”

Ms Edmonds explained if people were experiencing financial difficulty or hardship, they could approach the council for assistance.

“We are not in the business of making it hard for people,” she said.

But rates would still have to be paid somehow.

Mr Ross said while speaking with some other mayors “this very subject was discussed”.

He said there were “some very high level talks taking place” to try and help landholders and local government as some farmers “may be put in a compromising position” and may have to go to the bank to borrow money to pay their rates.

Cr Downward moved for the draft budget and business plan to be endorsed for public consultation and Cr Turner seconded it.

The motion passed unanimously with Crs Downward, Turner, Craig McGuire, Trevor Rayner, Goodman, Damian Ross, Peter Ireland and Cameron Grundy voting in favour.

Crs Tom Dennis and Monique Crossling were absent.

People can pick up a copy of the 40 page document from the council office, or view it online, and have their say before June 4.

This article appeared in The Naracoorte News, 7 May 2025.