CEO's message for the 2024/25 proposed rate rise

Published on 29 April 2024

Over the past four years, the City of Burnside has provided rate rises far lower than CPI to assist residents during unprecedented times of change, especially during the COVID pandemic. These rate rises included back-to-back zero per cent rate rises in 2020/21 and 2021/22, a 3.5 per cent rate rise in 2022/23 and a 6.0 per cent rate rise in 2023/24.

During these years, Council delivered over 118 services and maintained community assets and infrastructure to the standard expected by residents. The zero or low rate increases of the past four years has resulted in Council delivering services to the community with a shortfall in funding in those years. Therefore, while the community has benefited greatly from these zero or low rate rises, the City of Burnside is now in a deficit financial position. To be financially sustainable, Council must seek to operate on a break-even basis, otherwise services must be cut. 

With these factors in mind, the City of Burnside is proposing a 14 per cent general rate rise for the 2024/25 financial year to repair the budget and bring it to surplus.

To explain this situation further and answer some of your questions, please watch this important video message featuring Council’s CEO Chris Cowley. While this video is much longer than our usual video content, it is important viewing to gain a further understanding of Council’s financial position and the proposed rate rise options available.

You can have your say on the City of Burnside’s Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget and the proposed rate rise until Friday 24 May at engage.burnside.sa.gov.au/2024-25-draft-annual-business-plan-and-budget