Draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget

The City of Victor Harbor is seeking community feedback on its draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget.

The draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan describes how Council will allocate its budget and what services, programs and projects it intends to undertake in the coming financial year.

Draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget Overview

The draft Plan proposes an average rates payable increase of 5% (made up of 2.5% for CPI, a 1.5% sustainability index and 1% for the Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct project.

The proposed budget forecasts a capital works program worth $11.9 million (net), and a $42.5 million operating budget with a forecast deficit of $4.2 million. The deficit is largely attributed to two major strategic projects, the Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct ($2.5 million) and corporate systems replacement ($585,000), which will be funded through borrowings in recognition of their intergenerational benefits. Excluding these projects the adjusted deficit is just over $1 million.

The Council is in a strong financial position to manage this budget position, with long-term financial planning forecasting a return to modest surpluses in future years to gradually repay debt and ensure ongoing sustainability.

Other key project highlights within the draft Plan include:

• Footpath and shared paths program, $915,000
  • Ridgeway Street, Encounter Bay (from Russell Street to Franklin Parade)
  • Lamont Road, McCracken (From Cudmore Road to Wattle Drive)
  • Connection between Investigator College and the Encounter Bay Recreation Grounds
  • Encounter Bikeway (Olivers Parade re-routing)
• Whalers Road reconstruction, $1,845,000
• Detailed design for the Arts and Culture Centre, $815,000
• Yilki Sea Wall (Stage 1), $3,013,500 subject to grant funding
• Encounter Community Centre contribution, $60,000
• Business Victor Harbor contribution, $156,000
• Urban Growth Management Strategy finalisation and actions, $220,000
• Future Ready Strategy (Demographic Sustainability and University City investigations), $50,000
• Encounter Bay Football Club car park bitumising, $153,700
• Community Garden and Nursery, $153,700
• Encounter Bay Netball Courts resurfacing, $205,000
• Victor Harbor Tennis and Netball Courts resurfacing, $625,000 subject to grant funding
• Rating Review, $20,000

Further detail about what is proposed for 2025/26 is provided within the draft Annual Business Plan.

Have Your Say

There are a number of ways you can have your say on the draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget.

You can provide feedback on the draft plan:

• Online – using the submission form below;
• In writing – address your submission to the Chief Executive Officer and return via:
  • post to PO Box 11, Victor Harbor SA 5211;
  • email to localgov@victor.sa.gov.au;
  • deliver in person to the Civic Centre;
• At our public meeting – at 5.30pm on Thursday, 29 May 2025 in the Council Chambers at the Civic Centre.

The consultation period will close at 5pm on Monday, 2 June 2025.

Further questions can be directed to (08) 8551 0500.