Focus on renewal for Wakefield’s Draft Annual Community Plan for 2025/26
Asset renewal is the driver behind this year’s Draft Annual Community Plan 2025/26.
Council endorsed the Draft Annual Community Plan 2025/26 and the Draft Long Term Financial Plan for community consultation at the May Council meeting.
The Draft Annual Community Plan outlines a total capital expenditure budget of $9.29M, which consists of $8.08M in renewal capital works and $1.21M in new capital works.
Key renewal projects proposed for 2025/26 include 5.11km of reconstruction on Kalora Road from Goldney Road to Port Lorne Road.
Major reseals of Templeton Road from 9 Templeton Road to Veitch Road and $100K of renewal for pedestrian/pram ramps in townships totalling 40 ramps.
The full list of detailed capital works can be viewed in the draft plan.
Council proposes to raise $11.55M in general rates, with a 4.7% average increase for the 2025-26 financial year.
This compares with the $11.03M of general rates raised last year.
In delivering services and programs contained within the proposed Annual Community Plan, Council is targeting an operating deficit of $175K in 2025-26 resulting from operating revenues of $20.24M and operating expenses of $20.41M.
The primary reason for this deficit is due to dredging of the tidal swimming pool in Port Wakefield carried over from the 2024-25 Annual Community Plan.
Wakefield Regional Council Mayor Rodney Reid said this year’s focus on renewal was to maintain Council assets and road networks.
“We’ve had a large focus on our unsealed road renewals since aligning with Wakefield 2030 which has seen a major reduction in back log of unsealed renewal,” Mayor Reid said.
“With this gap closing, now’s the time to act on our sealed renewals to ensure sealed roads within our townships are maintained.”
“Works outlined in the plan also consist of carry-over from our Port Wakefield Edward Street projects, with shovels now on the ground and works beginning and dredging of the tidal swimming pool yet to be completed.”
Council’s Draft Community Plan and Long Term Financial Plan will be open for community consultation until 5pm, Wednesday June 25, 2025:
Council will dedicate an hour at its Wednesday, June 25 Council meeting to hear feedback from the public, alternatively you can leave your feedback by;
* By email – to admin@wrc.sa.gov.au
* By mail – to PO Box 167, Balaklava SA 5461
* By website – wrc.sa.gov.au
Hard copies are available on request from Council’s Balaklava office or from post offices in Balaklava, Blyth, Hamley Bridge, Owen, Port Wakefield, Snowtown and Brinkworth.