Playford Council seeks community support for proposed rate increase of 3.9 per cent

Debt-laden Playford Council wants the highest rate increase in metropolitan Adelaide, prompting one councillor to warn it faces “crucifixion” by disgruntled residents.

Debt-laden Playford Council has been warned it faces “crucifixion” over a proposed rate increase of 3.9 per cent increase — double the rate of inflation and set to hit some of SA’s poorest households.

Elected members have voted 10-4 to send the increase out to community consultation as part of council’s draft annual business plan.

The decision came despite several councillors elected last November warning ratepayers already were disillusioned with the council.

Cr Dennis Ryan said it was “ludricous” to propose such a high rate increase when ratepayers were “fed up” over the $372,880 salary paid to former chief executive Mal Hemmerling, council’s existing debt of $136.4 million and previous controversial attempts to introduce differential rating.

“I just think it is totally unacceptable for this new council to try to go out to the public with a rate increase of 3.9 per cent,” he said.

Playford Council councillors have voted to send a 3.9 per cent rate increase out for community consultation. Picture: COLIN JAMES

“If you guys want a cruxificion, you are going to have one at public meetings over this.”

Cr Ryan said rather than trying to approve such a rate increase, councillors should be concentrating on restoring community confidence in council.

“There are some pretty big issues hitting the City of Playford at the moment,” he said.

“The last thing we want now is more conflict over our rates.”

Playford Council has been embroiled in controversy since it sacked Mr Hemmerling over a workplace issue last December.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption is conducting a formal evaluation of council’s policies and procedures.

Mr Ryan said the council needed to settle down and “take time to smell the roses” before upsetting people further with a rate increase.

He was supported by Cr Stephen Coppins who said residents already were “outraged” by the amount of rates they paid.

“We are now the second highest food poor region in South Australia,” he said.

“Our community is outraged by the amount of rates that are being paid.

“People are having to take on second jobs to make ends meet.”

Cr Coppins said councillors needed to “take note of what is being said out there”.

“We need to restrict potential increases to 1.5 to 2.5 per cent at the most,” he said.

Playford Council mayor Glenn at the Playford Plaza redevelopment.

Deputy mayor Marilyn Baker said she had “a degree of sympathy” but it was important the 3.9 per cent rate increase was approved to ensure capital projects such as the construction of a new retirement hub went ahead.

“If we don’t go to that amount there’s going to be a lot of disenfranchised people out there,” she said.

“There will be a lot of projects which we have discussed over the past four years which will not go ahead, including the Grenville Hub.”

In a media statement, Playford mayor Glenn Docherty said the 3.9 per cent rate increase would fund a range of projects including the Grenville Hub, road upgrades, installation of roundabouts and intersections, improved drainage and sports ground upgrades.

Mr Docherty said that as one of the fastest-growing councils in South Australia, Playford was attempting to balance spending with the provision of facilities for all residents.

“The money we are proposing to spend is developing infrastructure that supports our community — roads, parks, drainage and sporting facilities, as well as maintaining and upgrading already existing infrastructure,” he said.

Residents can provide feedback on the draft business plan and budget from May 7 to May 28.