We just received our local council rates and it is interesting how they justify the total general rate revenue of 4.20 per cent, with rate capping of 25 per cent continuing for a second year, whilst the operating deficit for 2025/26 is budgeted at $431,490 (operating surplus ratio of -1.40 per cent).
Our rates 2025-26 is $2028.10 – an increase of $326.40, in percentage an increase of 19.18 per cent with allowance of capital value, not 4.20 per cent.
In 2024-25 it was $1701.70, an increase of $274.15.
In 2023-24 it was $1427.55, an increase of $166.30 over five years, noting 2019-20 to 2020-21 there was a $0.60 increase.
In 2019-20 it was $1261.25 and in 2020-21 it was $1261.85.
From 2019-20 to 2023-24 there was site value, then 2024-25 capital value with significant increases.
If the rates increase at the current rate over the next three years at approximately $300 per annum, our yearly rates will hit $3000p.a. and other ratepayers will see similar excessive increases with no appreciable change in council amenities or maintenance of facilities.
This does not factor in council building plans on vacant lands which they want to see develop.
Our council, like almost all others not forgetting the state government, seems to think that borrowing can continue as well as increasing taxes/rates, but there is a limit.
Governments local, state or federal need to balance their budgets as well as the public.
Peter Lock, Port Lincoln
Buy Australian first
Strict biosecurity measures have been in place to protect Australian food production industries, particularly beef, so that diseases we are free from, such as foot and mouth and lumpy skin, cannot be introduced and cause untold damage.
In permitting the import of beef from Mexico and Canada (‘Bio risk as Labor opens up to US beef’, The Advertiser, July 25), which were previously banned, by simply announcing, without consultation with our beef industry, that new protocols have been introduced and accepted by the federal government, is concerning.
Cattle Australia and Nationals leader David Littleproud have both called for a review, citing that a high level of caution needs to be adopted to protect Australia’s world-leading biosecurity status and our disease-free reputation for our high-quality beef products.
Increasing the level of imported beef, if it’s purchased in favour of our locally produced product, will also see a continuation of the decline in food production and manufacturing that has resulted from overseas imports.
‘Buy Australian First’ should be our motto to protect local industry, manufacturing, food production, and jobs.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
