Playford Council approve 6.5 per cent rate rise in new draft budget

A northern suburbs council have endorsed a rate rise as part of their draft budget – find out how much more your bill might be.

Playford Council’s 2024-25 budget has been revealed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Playford Council will consult their community on a 6.5 per cent rate rise after elected members unanimously approved their draft budget.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, elected members endorsed the draft 2024/25 Annual Business Plan and Budget – that could see rates rise by 6.5 per cent.

It follows a 7.91 per cent rate increase in 2023/24 – increasing rates by $117 from $1814 to $1931.

The draft said the increase would help council fund new projects and services “that the community has asked for while covering rising costs due to inflation”.

Playford ratepayers have seen an increase in 14.4 per cent over the past two years.

According to the draft, new infrastructure projects are predicted to cost council $33m.

These include construction of new change rooms and car park upgrades at Dwight Reserve, construction of the Broadacres Drive Outfall Drain’s stage 2 and the beginning of construction of the Munno Para Sportsground – a project approved in 2022.

The figure also encompasses minor projects including stormwater management, sport and recreation, traffic management and open spaces.

More than 600m of new footpaths are anticipated to be built as well, along with some existing footpaths being targeted for widening for greater accessibility.

The Playford Alive housing development continues into the new year, with the project reaching 80 per cent completion. Picture: NCA Max Mason-Hubers

The draft said that council will spend more than $28.9m on renewing or replacing existing assets such as kerbs, roads and recreational and sporting facilities.

Included in that figure is a special allocation of $1.2m to renewing streetscapes and public realm assets surrounding the Playford Alive development.

Ongoing projects including constructing a Stebonheath and Dalkeith Rd roundabout, upgrades to the McGlip Recreation park and a Kiss & Drop at Mark Oliphant College will be allocated $33.1m.

The proposed rise would enable the council to continue to operate their budget with a $1.5m surplus for the 2024/25 financial year.

The draft will be open for community consultation from Wednesday until Tuesday, May 28.