Renmark Paringa Council considers draft Annual Business Plan
Renmark Paringa Council has released its Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2025/26 for public feedback, outlining a $29.3 million investment in essential services and infrastructure, while responding to the pressures of inflation, and the ongoing financial impact of the 2022 River Murray flood.
Renmark Paringa Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Siviour said the current economic environment has placed considerable strain on local government operations and budgets, which has required Council to respond with a disciplined, strategic approach to planning.
“Like many households and businesses, Council is not immune to rising costs,” he said.
“The impacts of high inflation, and escalating prices for construction, materials and utilities have significantly shaped our thinking. At the same time, the recovery from the River Murray flood has had an impact on our financial position.
“Prior to the 2022/23 flood, Council was debt free. We estimate that we will commence the 2025/26 financial year with a minimum of $1.8million in debt.”
Mr Siviour said Renmark Paringa Council has worked to ensure the draft plan reflects the aspirations of the community, the financial realities of the current economic climate, and the need to maintain long-term sustainability.
The planning process was guided by a core set of principles focused on resource management, sustainable asset planning, environmental responsibility, and strategic investment.
This framework has underpinned key decisions across the organisation and informed a series of cost-control and efficiency measures.
Among the strategies deployed was a comprehensive review of current year projects resulting in a significant reduction in planned capital expenditure, totalling $5.7 million deferred to future years.
Council also achieved a six per cent reduction in its materials and contracts budget compared to the previous financial year, while launching reviews into fees, service standards and staffing structures.
Cost cutting measures have included a freeze on community grant funding and a reduction in community events, which will be reviewed in 12 months’ time.
Council is also exploring the sale of a number of building and land assets, including the McCormick Centre for the Environment.
The proposed residential rate is an average increase of $147 per annum, a $9 increase compared to last financial year. This is based on an average residential property capital valuation of $393,000.
The fixed charge remain s at $424 per annum.
Mr Siviour noted that Renmark Paringa Council was the second lowest rating council in the Riverland and Murraylands region for the 2024/25 financial year.
“This means our ratepayers already enjoy comparatively low rates compared to like-sized councils,” he said.
“Despite the increase, we are committed to ensuring that rates remain as affordable as possible while still allowing us to deliver high-quality services and maintain infrastructure.”
The draft budget allocates $21.4 million to the delivery of day-to-day services, including waste collection, libraries, parks, community development and regulatory services.
A further $7.85 million is allocated to renewing and upgrading essential infrastructure and progressing key initiatives that support organisational efficiency and community outcomes.
Mr Siviour said Council has addressed ESCOSA’s advice – regarding Council’s position of being ‘potentially unsustainable’ – throughout the development of the plan.
The 2025/26 plan also proposes an updated Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) charge of $793 per property unit.
The pricing follows a comprehensive external review in 2024/25 and aligns with ESCOSA’s 2018 pricing guidance and the National Water Initiative Pricing Principles.
Council expects the CWMS charge to raise approximately $2.9 million in revenue, fully recovering the cost-of-service provision and ensuring long-term financial sustainability for the system.
“This is a financially responsible plan that takes seriously our duty to the community – both now and into the future,” said Mr Siviour.
Public consultation on the draft plan, as well as the Long Term Financial Plan 2026-35 and Infrastructure and Asset Management Plan is open until July 16, 2025.
The full documents and supporting materials, including FAQs, are available on Council’s Engage RPC online consultation platform by visiting here
Submissions can be made via the feedback form on the Engage RPC page or in writing to PO Box 730, Renmark, SA, 5341.
A public meeting to receive community feedback will take place on Thursday 17 July at the Renmark Club between 5.00pm – 7.00pm.
Hard copies of the plans will be available at the Renmark Paringa Council Community and Civic Centre and the Renmark Paringa Library.