FAQs

The Annual Business Plan and Budget outlines Council’s priorities for the financial year, including services, infrastructure projects, strategic planning initiatives and how they will be funded. Council is required to develop and adopt this plan annually as per the Local Government Act 1999 and financial regulations. This plan aligns with our Long Term Financial Plan and Asset Management Plans, reflecting the Mount Gambier 2035 Community Vision for the future.

Council has proposed a total expenditure of $56.91 million for the 2026/2027 financial year. This includes:

• Operational services include maintaining public assets such as roads, footpaths, parks and gardens and services such as waste management, Library, The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre, Waste Transfer Station, ReUse Market, Mount Gambier Visitor Centre, Cemetery, Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre and numerous community programs.
• Capital projects including road upgrades, asset renewals, and strategic planning work.

Key focus areas include:

• Maintaining our current level of service delivery to the community.
• Delivery of a balanced and sustainable budget.
• Alignment with the Strategic Plan 2024–2028, Asset Management Plans, Long Term Financial Plan and Mount Gambier 2035 Community Vision.
• Investment in essential infrastructure and asset renewals.
• Planning to support our future city growth.

Rates are determined based on the revenue required to provide services to the community. Council reviews various options to balance community expectations, financial targets and budget delivery capacity. Individual rates depend on property valuations as supplied by the Office of the Valuer General, which will be finalised in June 2026.

In 2026/2027, the draft budget proposes a general rate revenue increase of 5.9 per cent. Council also requires a once off 0.5 per cent to cover State Government cost shifting for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The number of rateable assessments has grown by 1.37 per cent over the 2025/2026 period.

Council needs to balance maintaining and improving assets and services with long-term financial sustainability. Rates help fund around 63% of Council’s income. Inflationary pressures impact Council services in waste management and materials, in addition Council have historically not raised revenue to meet its growth and needs, rate adjustments are necessary to maintain our services and ensure our long-term financial sustainability. It is important to note that the City of Mount Gambier rates remain lower than both the metropolitan and rural council averages for South Australia.

The budget aligns with Council’s Long Term Financial Plan, and uses robust financial processes. It prioritises:

• Asset renewal to prevent future liabilities.
• Careful resourcing.
• Transparent and responsible rating policy changes.

Yes, Council budget processes, documents, policies and the financial indicators of Council are reviewed by Council’s Audit and Risk Committee. This committee is made up of three independent members which form the majority of the committee. These independent members are not employees of Council and provide detailed oversight and analysis of Council financial activities. The requirement for this committee and the formation are mandated by the State Government legislation.

Yes, Council financial statements (and many other financial processes) are audited externally by suitably qualified organisations, again this is a legislated process. Council has a contract with Galpins to perform the external audit function for a period of five years, from the 2026/2027 financial year.

Key capital and strategic projects include:

• Crater Lakes Precinct Cultural Heritage Management Plan to embed Traditional Owner knowledge and best practice land management.
• Waste and Resource Recovery Programs to enhance our circular economy.
• Greater Mount Gambier Master Plan in partnership with the District Council of Grant and the Department for Housing and Urban Development.
• Development of a Play Implementation Plan to guide inclusive, age diverse play spaces.
• Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre Strategic Action Plan.
• Arts and Live Music Development, including hosting the 2026 Regional and Remote Music Summit.
• Business systems and digital improvements to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
• Workforce Planning Framework to support future service delivery.
• Development of Council’s next Reconciliation Action Plan with the Yerkalalpata Community Reference Group.
• Community Engagement Framework update aligned with legislative reform.
• Grant Attraction Strategy to improve Council’s ability to secure additional external funding.
• Landfill leachate storage expansion and waste infrastructure upgrades.
• Shared path network delivery, including O’Leary Road to Wireless Road West.
• Play space development and delivery of one new or upgraded play space.
• Railway Lands Precinct reactivation - progressive capital improvements to activate the precinct.
• City wide wayfinding and signage infrastructure.
• Infrastructure renewal across roads, drainage, buildings and public assets.

The WSC covers the cost of waste management services, including bin collection, waste treatment, and disposal. In 2026/2027, the WSC is proposed to increase from $344.00 to $390.00 per applicable service, reflecting inflationary pressures and cost recovery.

The WSC increase reflects the actual costs of kerbside bin collection and associated waste management. Waste management is heavily impacted by regulatory requirements, EPA levies, sustainability measures and the cost of materials, such as fuel.

Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship can access relief options, including alternative payment plans as per the rating policy. Contact the rates office at 08 8721 2561 or email city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au for assistance.

Community consultation on the Draft 2026/2027 Annual Business Plan and Budget and the Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2027 - 2036 will open from Thursday 21 May to Thursday 11 June 2026. The draft documents will be available at www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au and in person at the Mount Gambier Library and Civic Centre.

Making a written submission 

For the purposes of preparing a report for Council, written submissions, including accurate details of the author, are accepted until 5:00pm Thursday 11 June 2026. Submissions can be provided by:

• Completing the online submission form below.
• Sending via e-mail to city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au or
• Providing a hard copy over the counter at 10 Watson Terrace, Mount Gambier.

Making a verbal submission 

A Special Council Meeting to receive verbal submissions regarding the Draft 2026/2027 Business Plan and Budget will be held:

Tuesday 16 June 2025 at 5:00pm
Council Chamber, Civic Centre, 10 Watson Tce, Mount Gambier.

Budget information sessions will be held at the City Hall (enter from Cave Garden/Thugi) on Tuesday 2 June 2026 at 6:00pm and Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 12:00pm.

A special Council Meeting will be held Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 5:00pm to receive verbal submissions. Submissions to speak at the special Council meeting must be lodged by Thursday 11 June 2026 via www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au Should time prevail on the night of the special meeting there may be opportunity for the members of the public to speak who have not registered. However, this is not guaranteed, so if you would like to secure a spot, please register.

Special Council Meetings to adopt the final documents will be held on either Tuesday 23 June 2026 or Tuesday 30 June 2026.