Drafts Annual Business Plan 26-27 | Long Term Financial Plan 26-36

Council is seeking your feedback on our essential documents that guide our operations, financial sustainability, and asset management over the next financial year and decade. These documents include the annual business plan and long term financial plan.

Each document has a distinct purpose but they are closely interrelated to ensure coordinated, strategic planning and service deliver for the community. These documents are legislatively required under the Local Government Act 1999.

What you can influence

The community can make submission on all aspects of the draft Annual Business Plan 2026 - 2027 except any legislative factors. Some things to consider:

• Have we got the balance between delivery of services and projects for the community and the raising of rates to pay for them right?
• In reviewing the list of proposed projects and services within the plan, are there any items Council needs to consider to add, reduce or delete?
• What enhancements would you like to see within the plan?

How to have your say

You can provide your feedback by:

• uploading a submission using the online form below
• sending an email to yoursay@mountbarker.sa.gov.au
• mailing your submission to Mount Barker District Council, PO Box 54, Mount Barker SA 5251
• presenting in person, at the public meeting on Monday 15 June commencing at 6:00pm at the Mount Barker Council Chambers, 6 Dutton Road, Mount Barker. Please complete the online form to register to present.

For feedback to be considered it must be received by Council no later than 5pm, Wednesday 24 June 2026.

About the documents

1. Draft Annual Business Plan (ABP) 2026-2027
   The ABP outlines Council's priorities, services, projects, and budget for the financial year. It translates the long-term goals into short-term actions. It details how the budget will be allocated, what services will be provided, and how performance will be measured over the year.
   
   It operationalises the goals from the Long Term Financial Plan and the Strategic Asset Management Plans, ensuring that annual spending and project delivery align with long-term priorities and asset needs.
   
   Mount Barker is a developing council with a need to expand the budget to build future infrastructure, deliver services for a growing population, and increase standards so that the assets provided for the existing population are aligned with new developments such as the new footpath program.
   
   Council is proposing a 4.9% average rate increase for the coming year. Property owners may experience variation in that figure due to changing property values which are outside of the Council's control.
   
   Key priorities included in the draft ABP 2026-2027 are:
   • Transport Projects: Bollen Road upgrade; Springs Road/Bald Hills Road concept design work and community engagement for roundabout capacity upgrade; concept design work and community engagement for the section of Hawthorn Road between Adelaide Road and Liebelt Summer Track
   • City Centre Project - construction of first stage including the Town Square
   • Summit Precinct - finalising land tenure agreements with development partner Accord Property and the beginning of the first stages of early construction works
     
     
2. Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) 2026-2036
   The LTFP provides a 10-year financial outlook, forecasting income, expenses, capital investments, and debt levels. It plays a vital role in delivering the objectives of the Community Plan 2044.
   
   It ensures financial sustainability by planning for future funding needs, economic conditions, and community expectations. It is updated each year in parallel with Council's annual budgeting and business planning processes.
   
   The LTFP informs the ABP by showing what is financially achievable, and it incorporates costs from the SAMPs, such as asset maintenance, renewal, and replacement.
   
   The LTFP shows confidence that we can keep up with current and future demands and have the capacity to deliver key projects and core service deliverables over the next 10 years.
   
   Our capacity to deliver the LTFP over the next 10 years is not just from ratepayer contributions, rather a combination of developer contributions, State and Federal commitments, and other partnerships.