Draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget
Consultation on the draft 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget ran from Monday, 12 May 2025 until 5pm on Monday, 2 June 2025.
The City of Victor Harbor adopted its 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget at its Ordinary Council Meeting held on Monday, 23 June 2025.
The budget sets a clear path for the year ahead, supporting Victor Harbor’s continued growth while maintaining a strong focus on community priorities and financial sustainability. It includes a $42.5 million operating budget and a $15.9 million net capital works program, designed to deliver essential services and invest in strategic infrastructure for Victor Harbor’s future.
Delivering for the Community
The 2025/26 budget includes budget allocations for key initiatives such as:
• Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct
• Optimisation of Council’s corporate systems transformation
• Coastal protection and environmental management works
• Road and footpath upgrades
• Support for arts, economic development, and community wellbeing programs.
A further list of key projects is outlined on pages 6-7 and 24-33 of the 2025/26 Annual Business Plan.
Rates and Financial Planning
The average rates payable will increase by 5%, which includes a 4% general rate rise and an additional 1% for the Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct. For the average residential ratepayer, this represents an increase of approximately $117 compared to last year.
The budget has been shaped by community input received during the public consultation period, with feedback highlighting the need for increased investment in infrastructure and careful consideration of rate levels and project priorities.
A Strategic, Long-Term Approach
Council’s approach to the budget reflects a strong commitment to long-term planning and intergenerational equity. Borrowings will be used to fund major projects such as the Sport and Recreation Precinct and the corporate systems transformation. These investments are structured to spread costs over time, ensuring the benefits are shared across current and future generations.
While this results in a temporary operating deficit, long-term financial modelling indicates a return to modest surpluses, demonstrating a sustainable financial path forward.
The 2025/26 Annual Business Plan and Budget positions the City of Victor Harbor to manage growth responsibly, deliver key services, and build a thriving, resilient community for years to come.
Thank You for your Feedback
Each year Council consults with the community on a range of different issues and projects. The feedback obtained during these consultation initiatives is taken into consideration during Council's annual business planning process. In addition to this, the Council also asks community for feedback on the draft Annual Business Plan.
The consultation for the draft Annual Business Plan was undertaken between 12 May 2025 and 2 June 2025. Feedback was captured through a number of different methods including a formal survey (available online and in hard copy), written submissions, and in-person representations at a public meeting held on Thursday, 29 May 2025.
The Council would like to thank everyone who took the time to find out more about what is being proposed and provided their feedback. All feedback was considered by Council at workshop held on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 and then again at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 23 June. A Community Engagement Summary is available for viewing on Council's website.
