FAQ
What's on my rates notice?
At a glance your rates notice may appear confusing and it's easy to think that everything on it is part of general rates.
However, the total on your rates notice includes wastewater and other charges and not just general rates.
Many residents are connected to Council's wastewater system (CWMS) for removal of their effluent and are charged accordingly for this service. People in other council areas, and some in our district, are connected to SA Water or other wastewater systems and receive separate bills for this service.
Check out our Rates Fact Sheet for more on how general rates are determined.
Where will funds come from in 2022-2023?
The total funding for Draft Annual Business Plan 2022-23 is $84.3m made up as follows:
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How will funds be spent in 2022-2023?
The total expenditure proposed in the Draft Annual Business Plan 2022-23 is $84.3m made up as follows:
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Will my Council rates be going up?
Not necessarily.
Councils use property values as the basis for distributing the rating responsibility across their ratepayer base.
Council does not automatically receive more money because property values increase. While some people may pay more or less rates, this amount is dependent on the change in value of their property relative to the overall valuation changes across the council area.
Council budgets are set annually, with a ‘rate in the dollar’ used to ensure that the required rate income is received from ratepayers.
In simple terms, calculating how much each property contributes to rates each year involves determining the total amount of income required to maintain infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, buildings, etc and provide services and dividing this across the total value of all rateable properties to establish a ‘rate in the dollar’. The value of each rateable property is then multiplied by the ‘rate in the dollar’ to calculate the rates contribution for that property.
How does Council decide what is renewed or upgraded in its renewal programs?
Through a combination of formal asset condition audits, customer requests (CRMs) received and internal analysis high priority assets are identified for renewal each year.
When we undertake this work we take into account the location, usage, connectivity, condition and typical useful life of the infrastructure.
Where will new footpaths be built in 2022-23?
The following footpaths are planned to be constructed or designed in the 2022-23 financial year. Footpaths designed next year are planeed to be included for construction in the following financial year.
| Location | Segment | Suburb | Project Stage |
| South Terrace | Market Pl to 22 Princes Hwy | Nairne | Construct |
| Bartley Street | Main Rd to Edinborough St | Nairne | Construct |
| Bartley Street | Edinborough St to Jenner St | Nairne | Construct |
| Bartley Street | Jenner St to Britannia Rd | Nairne | Construct |
| Junction Road | Roundabout to Gamlin Ct | Littlehampton | Construct |
| Junction Road | Gamlin Ct to Benjamin Gray Dr | Littlehampton | Construct |
| Luck Street | Vernon St to Devereux St | Macclesfield | Construct |
| Church Hill Road | Adelaide Rd to Gratwick St | Echunga | Construct |
| Angus Road | Opposite Hagen Arms to High Street | Echunga | Design |
| Sydney Road | North Rd to opposite Allon Pl | Nairne | Design |
| North Road | Junction St to Bridge St | Nairne | Design |
| Angus Road | Church Hill Rd to Sophia St | Echunga | Design |
How can I see what infrastructure works are included in this year’s Annual Business Plan?
Click here for a searchable e-map that shows the individual projects included in this year’s capital works program.
How can people make early input and suggestions for the budget before it is framed?
| Council Member Engagement - People can contact their Council Member who can forward any priorities at sessions held throughout the year for the Long Term Financial Plan and Annual Business Plan and Budget or alternatively directly to Council at any point during the year to council@mountbarker.sa.gov.au. Long Term Financial Plan - People can also provide inputs and suggestions as part of this public consultation process for the Long Term Financial Plan. Consultation usually takes place in November each year. |
How will my input make a difference?
Your feedback will be provided to Council to inform their final decision when adopting the Annual Business Plan and Budget 2022/23.
What happens after I make a submission?
All submissions will be acknowledged, either by email or in writing, so that you know your comments have been received.
You can also make a submission or talk to your submission at the public meeting, Monday 20 June, 6pm - 7:pm at the Mount Barker Council Chamber, 6 Dutton Road, Mount Barker. Contact us on 8391 7200 if you wish to talk at the public meeting.
Mount Barker District Council staff will collate all feedback into a report that will be presented to Council Members for consideration as part of finalising the Annual Business Plan and Budget 2022/23.