The Annual Business Plan and Budget outlines the budget, services, programs, and projects that the Council will deliver in the coming year. It’s based on community feedback, long-term planning, and a thorough analysis of financial needs and priorities. The plan aims to balance community aspirations with the realities of rising costs and economic challenges.

Council understands that many households and businesses are under financial pressure, and there are supports in place for ratepayers who are experiencing difficulty.

There are a number of options available if you’re struggling to pay your rates:

• Rates Hardship Relief – Council has a Rates Hardship Policy that allows eligible ratepayers to apply for payment arrangements, deferrals, or, in some cases, remission of rates. Each case is assessed individually with compassion and confidentiality.
• Concessions and Rebates – You may be eligible for State Government concessions, including the Cost of Living Concession or Rates Concession. Visit www.sa.gov.au/concessions or call 1800 307 758 to learn more.
• Financial Counselling – Free, confidential support is available through services such as the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) or local providers such as AC Care and Centacare.

We strongly encourage anyone having trouble meeting their rates payments to contact our Finance Team on 8580 3000 or email council@renmarkparinga.sa.gov.au.

You can also view Council’s Rates Hardship Policy here.

The plan has been significantly shaped by:

• High inflation and rising costs for construction, materials, and services
• Escalating interest rates
• The ongoing recovery from the 2022 River Murray flood, which has placed additional pressure on infrastructure and services

Council has worked strategically to manage these challenges and ensure the sustainability of services.

Renmark Paringa Council has the second lowest average general rates in the Murraylands and Riverland Local Government Area.

There has been some commentary suggesting that city-based councils may have lower rates. While this can be true in some cases, it’s important to understand that rates are influenced by a range of factors including population size, the number of rateable properties, access to external funding, and the cost of delivering services across large regional areas.

In metropolitan areas, councils often have a larger ratepayer base, which helps to spread the cost of services. Regional councils like Renmark Paringa must deliver essential services such as waste collection, road maintenance, public facilities, community programs and infrastructure across greater distances with fewer ratepayers. This can increase the cost per property.

Despite this, the average Renmark Paringa Council resident pays approximately $28 per week in general rates well below the South Australian average of $39 per week (based on data from Local Councils SA). Council remains focused on providing value for money and delivering quality services and infrastructure to support our community.

Council recognises the significant challenges currently facing our primary producers, including the current drought, and the continued downturn in the winegrape sector.

To support local growers, Council delivered the 2023/24 Winegrape Grower Rebate, providing over $50,000 in rates relief to eligible winegrape producers.

Council has also advocated for the State Government’s introduction of a three-year, State-funded rates rebate for eligible farmers affected by drought, advocating for measures that provide meaningful financial relief to those most impacted.

Council’s planning is based on the following guiding principles:

• Resource Management: Ensuring future needs are met responsibly.
• Sustainable Asset Management: Maintaining and improving existing infrastructure while making smart investments.
• Smart Investment: Making data-driven decisions to boost economic development.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with others to maximise resources.
• Environmental Sustainability: Focusing on efficiency and climate resilience.
• Flexible Financial Planning: Adapting to changing needs with regular reviews.

Council has taken several steps to manage its budget responsibly, including:

• Optimisation of Capital Program: Reduced planned capital expenditure by $5.7 million in the first year.
• Pursuing Grants: Successfully applied for the LGA Financial Sustainability Pilot Program and other grants.
• Asset and Land Rationalisation: Surveying community groups to identify opportunities for optimising Council-owned properties.
• Reviewing Fees and Charges: Conducted a review to ensure they are aligned with community needs.
• Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Applying for funding to replace heat pumps at the recreation centre to reduce energy costs.

Council successfully secured close to $6 million in external grant funding to support the upgrade of the Twentyfirst Street Bridge. This funding reduced Council’s direct contribution to approximately 20% of the total project cost. Final amounts will be confirmed once all invoices are received enabling the project to be formally completed.

While the funding significantly supported the construction of the bridge, it is important to note that this was capital funding. Capital grants cannot be used to offset Council’s operating costs, which relate to the day-to-day running of Council services.

The construction of the bridge will increase Council’s operational costs through additional maintenance, insurance, and depreciation expenses. However, Council considers this a sound long-term investment. The bridge has been designed to last over 100 years and withstand floods larger than those experienced in 2022–23. It is an asset that will benefit the community for generations to come.

Council will invest $29.3 million in total, which includes:

• $21.4 million for ongoing services and programs (e.g., waste collection, libraries, parks).
• $5.7 million for renewing essential infrastructure and upgrading assets to improve community outcomes.

The proposed rate increase for the 2025/26 financial year is an average of $147 per annum. This increase is necessary to help cover the costs of delivering essential services and community projects.

It's important to note that Renmark Paringa Council is the second lowest rating council in the Riverland and Murraylands region for the 2024/25 financial year, which means our ratepayers already enjoy comparatively low rates compared to neighboring councils. 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 Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2.4 per cent in the year to the March quarter of 2025. CPI reflects changes in the cost of living for households, based on everyday expenses like food, rent, clothing, and fuel.

Councils, like households, are also affected by rising costs, but the mix of expenses is different. Councils primarily fund infrastructure projects, essential community services such as waste collection, road maintenance, and parks, wages, insurance, and electricity. Many of these costs have risen faster than CPI in recent years.

Ongoing challenges, including recovery from COVID-19, high inflation, and the major flooding in 2022–23, have increased the cost of service delivery. At the same time, funding from state and federal sources such as Financial Assistance Grants has not kept pace with rising costs placing more pressure on local budgets and ratepayers.

Council is working to manage these pressures responsibly, using a range of Budget Levers outlined in the Annual Business Plan to reduce the impact on the community while continuing to deliver essential services.

Council uses the Capital Value Method to value properties, which takes into account both the land value and any improvements made on it.

Council is projecting an operating deficit of $884,000 for 2025/26 after capital items. This deficit is primarily due to increased costs and the ongoing recovery from the 2022 River Murray flood. Council is committed to returning to an operating surplus within the next 3-4 years.

Council is taking several actions to minimize financial strain on ratepayers, including:

• Cutting 6% of materials and contracts budgets compared to the 2024/25 budget.
• Ongoing reviews of service delivery to identify further cost-saving opportunities.
• Implementing energy-efficient initiatives to reduce long-term operating costs.

In 2025/26, Council will continue to deliver vital services such as waste management, library services, and community development, while focusing on improving and renewing essential infrastructure. The overall goal is to ensure that core services are preserved while making smart investments in projects that support community health and prosperity.

Council will introduce quarterly performance reporting across all functions and services, which will include:

• Financial performance: Tracking actual spending against the budget.
• Service delivery updates: What’s been achieved, any delays, and key impacts.
• Community Plan alignment: Showing how projects contribute to the district’s long-term vision.

Over 70% of Council's income comes from rates, which are essential for funding the services and infrastructure projects we provide. The remaining revenue comes from grants, fees, and other sources.

Council is committed to long-term financial sustainability by:

• Reviewing all costs and exploring opportunities for savings.
• Investing in critical infrastructure.
• Carefully managing the impact of rates on residents and businesses.
• Aligning spending with the long-term goals outlined in the Community Plan 2024–2034.