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Our Community

Break-even approach for Council’s 2026/27 Annual Community Plan

Published 2nd June 2026

Wakefield Regional Council has adopted a break-even approach in its draft 2026/27 Annual Community Plan.

Council’s Annual Community Plan and Long-Term Financial Plan were adopted for community consultation at the May Council meeting, with a proposed 6.69% average rate increase for the upcoming financial year.

In preparing the proposed budget, Council focused on balancing the short-term impact on households amid changing economic conditions with its long-term community asset management responsibilities.

The draft plan for 2026/27 includes capital expenditure of $11.03 million, comprising $8.28 million in renewal capital works and $2.75 million in new capital works.

This investment will enable Council to continue reducing the maintenance and renewal backlog across its infrastructure assets.

Significant projects proposed in this year’s budget include:

  • Upgrading the Blyth Road and Black Range Road intersection through Black Spot funding
  • Renewing the Kybunga Top Road Bridge and upgrading the approach safety barrier
  • Constructing the Townsvale estate sub-base and delivering flood mitigation works

A key operational change in this budget is the decision to bring the operation and maintenance of the Community Wastewater Management Scheme (CWMS) network in-house, with the work to be carried out by Council staff rather than contractors. Using contractors would have required a significant increase in CWMS fees for Council and its ratepayers.

Wakefield Regional Council Mayor Rodney Reid said this year’s budget builds on last year’s conservative approach, which Council is maintaining as economic uncertainty continues.

“Large new infrastructure assets are not currently the focus of our budgets, as they have been in the past. Instead, we are continuing to prioritise renewal and maintenance of the assets Council already owns,” Mayor Reid said.

“This is a time when we need to ensure Council is operating sustainably. Focusing on renewal is the best way to achieve that while also aligning with our Wakefield 2030 actions.

“Council’s Draft Annual Community Plan and Draft Long-Term Financial Plan will be open for community consultation until 5 pm on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, and we will dedicate an hour at our 24 June Council meeting for people to provide in person feedback,” Mayor Reid said.

Alternatively, you can provide feedback by:

  • email at admin@wrc.sa.gov.au
  • mail to PO Box 167, Balaklava SA 5461
  • visit wrc.sa.gov.au

Hard copies of the proposed plan are available on request from Council’s Balaklava office and from post offices in Balaklava, Blyth, Hamley Bridge, Owen, Port Wakefield, Snowtown and Brinkworth.

Read this year's draft Annual Community Plan

Read this year's Long Term Financial Plan

Consultation for the draft Annual Community Plan has now closed.