Draft Annual Business Plan & Budget 2026-2027

Background

The District Council of Grant develops an Annual Business Plan and Budget each year which details what works and services are going to be delivered to our community, and the associated budget to fund those works and services. The Plan is prepared in a way that it maintains effective services for our community and helps achieve goals detailed in the Strategic Plan 2024 - 2034.

The following essential services of Local Government are incorporated into the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget:

Regulating compliance, by-laws, fines and dogs;
Setting rates, preparing an annual budget and creating strategic plans for the community's future;
Managing infrastructure: roads, footpaths, parks, street lighting, storm-water drainage and open public spaces;
Street cleaning and collecting rubbish;
Planning development and building safety; and
Environmental health services.

Council strives to provide additional services and programs in response to community needs and plan for within the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget. These include libraries, rural transaction centres, community and cultural development, public health and safety, animal management, community and sporting facilities, economic development, and environmental plans and projects.

Key Elements of the Draft Plan

Operating Income and Expenditure

The Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026-2027 details a budget of approximately $21.633 million in operating income and $21.670 million in operating expenditure. This results in a deficit of $35,000 for the upcoming 2026-2027 financial year.

Funding and Projects

For a basic outline of how funding is sourced and distributed to the community, refer to the Draft Budget Breakdown section below. For a more detailed breakdown of this information, refer to the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026-2027 document.

Have Your Say

Our community is invited to review the Draft Annual Business Plan & Budget 2026-2027 and have your say on the proposed works and services. Feedback can be submitted by:

Completing the online feedback form below
Emailing feedback to info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au
Submitting a hard copy feedback form or letter to:
- District Council of Grant Principal Office, 324 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier
- Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5-7 Charles Street, Mount Gambier
- PO Box 724, Mount Gambier SA 5290

Additionally, community members are welcome to attend a public meeting on Monday 18 May 2026 between 4:30pm and 5:30pm in the Council Chambers at 324 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier.

Written submissions must be submitted by 5:00pm Monday 11 May 2026.

Background

The District Council of Grant develops an Annual Business Plan and Budget each year which details what works and services are going to be delivered to our community, and the associated budget to fund those works and services. The Plan is prepared in a way that it maintains effective services for our community and helps achieve goals detailed in the Strategic Plan 2024 - 2034.

The following essential services of Local Government are incorporated into the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget:

Regulating compliance, by-laws, fines and dogs;
Setting rates, preparing an annual budget and creating strategic plans for the community's future;
Managing infrastructure: roads, footpaths, parks, street lighting, storm-water drainage and open public spaces;
Street cleaning and collecting rubbish;
Planning development and building safety; and
Environmental health services.

Council strives to provide additional services and programs in response to community needs and plan for within the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget. These include libraries, rural transaction centres, community and cultural development, public health and safety, animal management, community and sporting facilities, economic development, and environmental plans and projects.

Key Elements of the Draft Plan

Operating Income and Expenditure

The Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026-2027 details a budget of approximately $21.633 million in operating income and $21.670 million in operating expenditure. This results in a deficit of $35,000 for the upcoming 2026-2027 financial year.

Funding and Projects

For a basic outline of how funding is sourced and distributed to the community, refer to the Draft Budget Breakdown section below. For a more detailed breakdown of this information, refer to the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026-2027 document.

Have Your Say

Our community is invited to review the Draft Annual Business Plan & Budget 2026-2027 and have your say on the proposed works and services. Feedback can be submitted by:

Completing the online feedback form below
Emailing feedback to info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au
Submitting a hard copy feedback form or letter to:
- District Council of Grant Principal Office, 324 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier
- Port MacDonnell Community Complex, 5-7 Charles Street, Mount Gambier
- PO Box 724, Mount Gambier SA 5290

Additionally, community members are welcome to attend a public meeting on Monday 18 May 2026 between 4:30pm and 5:30pm in the Council Chambers at 324 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier.

Written submissions must be submitted by 5:00pm Monday 11 May 2026.

Rating Breakdown

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Council has considered the impact of increased valuations on ratepayers and the cost of living. In response, Council is proposing to implement the following key items:

Maintain the 10% discount rate in the dollar for Primary Production property ratepayers;

Increase the minimum rate to $740 (+$40 / 5.71%);

Maintain differential rates by land use category.

The proposed general rate increase is 6%.
Council has considered the impact of increased valuations on ratepayers and the cost of living. In response, Council is proposing to implement the following key items:

Maintain the 10% discount rate in the dollar for Primary Production property ratepayers;

Increase the minimum rate to $740 (+$40 / 5.71%);

Maintain differential rates by land use category.

The proposed general rate increase is 6%.
Capital Works Breakdown

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The Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget outlines a total capital expenditure budget of $17,682,000. $5,263,000 will be used to renew existing assets and $12,419,000 will be spent on new / upgraded assets. Priority capital projects for the 2026-2027 financial year and their associated funding amounts are:

$250,000 - Signage and Street Furniture Upgrades

$102,000 - Information and Communications Technology Upgrades

$4,233,500 - Transport Infrastructure Program

$192,640 - Community Wastewater Management Systems

$149,000- Mount Gambier Regional Airport

$10,200,000 - Mount Gambier & District Saleyards

$1,084,000 - Fleet Management and Plant Replacement Program

$200,000 - Coastal Inundation Trial
The Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget outlines a total capital expenditure budget of $17,682,000. $5,263,000 will be used to renew existing assets and $12,419,000 will be spent on new / upgraded assets. Priority capital projects for the 2026-2027 financial year and their associated funding amounts are:

$250,000 - Signage and Street Furniture Upgrades

$102,000 - Information and Communications Technology Upgrades

$4,233,500 - Transport Infrastructure Program

$192,640 - Community Wastewater Management Systems

$149,000- Mount Gambier Regional Airport

$10,200,000 - Mount Gambier & District Saleyards

$1,084,000 - Fleet Management and Plant Replacement Program

$200,000 - Coastal Inundation Trial
Major Community Projects Breakdown

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The District Council of Grant is investing the following funding into key projects for our community:

$58,000 - Telstra Towers (year 3 of 3 contribution)

$30,000 - Creation of an Art Strategy

$25,000 - Coastal Adaptation Strategy recommendations and actions

$30,000 - Promotion of a coordinated "visitor economy - lobster experience" campaign to promote the lobster season.
The District Council of Grant is investing the following funding into key projects for our community:

$58,000 - Telstra Towers (year 3 of 3 contribution)

$30,000 - Creation of an Art Strategy

$25,000 - Coastal Adaptation Strategy recommendations and actions

$30,000 - Promotion of a coordinated "visitor economy - lobster experience" campaign to promote the lobster season.
Service Charges Breakdown

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Council provides essential services to our community which incur a service charge. The following service charges are proposed to be implemented in the 2026-2027 financial year:

Mobile Garbage Bin Collection Service
$330 (+$15.00)

Community Waste Management System

$680 (+$35.00) - Vacant Land

$800 (+$45.00) - Occupied

Council is required to collect a Regional Landscape Levy on all rateable properties within the district. For the 2026-2027 financial year Council is required to collect, on behalf of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, an amount of $765,986 (a 5% increase as instructed by the Board).
Council provides essential services to our community which incur a service charge. The following service charges are proposed to be implemented in the 2026-2027 financial year:

Mobile Garbage Bin Collection Service
$330 (+$15.00)

Community Waste Management System

$680 (+$35.00) - Vacant Land

$800 (+$45.00) - Occupied

Council is required to collect a Regional Landscape Levy on all rateable properties within the district. For the 2026-2027 financial year Council is required to collect, on behalf of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, an amount of $765,986 (a 5% increase as instructed by the Board).
Sponsorship, Donations and Community Support Breakdown

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The District Council of Grant will continue to allocate funds for sponsorships, donations and community support.
It is proposed that a total of $232,109 is distributed to various community groups and events in 2026-2027.
The District Council of Grant will continue to allocate funds for sponsorships, donations and community support.
It is proposed that a total of $232,109 is distributed to various community groups and events in 2026-2027.
Road Networks Breakdown

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A major ongoing expense that Council is committed to each year is the maintenance of the road network. There are approximately 1,500km’s of sealed and unsealed roads which require regular maintenance.
The District Council of Grant has allocated a total of $4,233,500 to the transport and infrastructure program, which includes maintenance of local roads.
A major ongoing expense that Council is committed to each year is the maintenance of the road network. There are approximately 1,500km’s of sealed and unsealed roads which require regular maintenance.
The District Council of Grant has allocated a total of $4,233,500 to the transport and infrastructure program, which includes maintenance of local roads.

Page last updated: 28 Apr 2026, 04:49 PM