Full list: See which SA council charge the highest rates

Some SA councils have hoicked their bills way over the rate of inflation – but others won’t move. Find out if you’re paying more.

Welfare groups want councils to cap their rate rises at inflation as cost of living pressures spiral.

Councils have released their rate increase estimates from July 1, but many residents will pay well above the rate of inflation. The current inflation rate is 5.1%.

The average annual bill will range from $1135 for Port Adelaide Enfield residents to $2267 in the Adelaide Hills.

The percentage increase will range from none for Adelaide City Council residents to 7.4 per cent for those in Norwood Payneham and St Peters.

South Australian Council of Social Service head Ross Womersley said the welfare sector was especially concerned for pensioners who may own their own home but have small fixed incomes.

“Where councils and others are planning fee increases that outrun CPI they should make the case for the added increases and be able to demonstrate the added benefits,’’ he said.

“Especially in a cauldron of other increases to energy, groceries and fuel costs.”

Inflation was running at 3.3 per cent when councils estimated revenue increases late last year, but has since risen to 5.1 per cent.

Residents have had their rate estimates thrown into turmoil this year because of changes to legislation which have made comparisons difficult. A number of councils have opted for two figures, depending on the formula used.

Norwood Payneham and St Peters residents have two estimates to base their budgets on; 5.9 per cent under the new legislation or 7.4 per cent under the old.

In Mt Barker residents will be spared an Adelaide-high 7.8 per cent increase only because new residential developments in the booming area will contribute 3 per cent, bringing the increase down to 4.7 per cent for existing homeowners.

UnitingCommunities spokesman Mark Henley said cost of living factors were putting extreme pressure on family budgets.

“I would suggest that any council rates increase above increases in what people are being paid (wages) is unacceptable,’’ he said.

Norwood, Payneham and St Peter’s Mayor Robert Bria said it was investing more in infrastructure than at any time in its history; $52 million in 2022-23.

Executive director of the Property Council, Daniel Gannon, said the large difference in rates paid in neighbouring councils highlighted why council mergers could create consistency.

“Ratepayers on one side of the road shouldn’t be facing rate increases three times higher than their neighbours across the road. Even blind Freddy can see this makes no sense,” he said.

LGA president Angela Evans defended the councils and said there were very different levels of need in different council areas.

Acting Adelaide Hills Mayor Nathan Daniell said his area also had to cope with low population growth to fund increased expenses and large distances when providing services.

Originally published as Full list: See which SA council charge the highest rates