The Essential Services Commission of South Australia has found Whyalla’s financial performance to be potentially unsustainable – highlighting airport costs and planned average rate increases over the next decade as contributing factors.
Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone says the Council will be tightening their budget this next financial year.
“We’ve known for some time this situation’s been developing, we haven’t made it any secret, we’ve been totally transparent with the community, Mayor Stone says.
“There will have to be some constraint in our spending, we will be looking at every single project that may be on the books , what needs to happen now, what can wait… to ensure that we have a very tight budget moving forward.”
The Council are optimistic they will be back on track in roughly two years.
“Our challenges have been the fact that we have so much infrastructure in Whyalla to maintain, we have to look after the community in what I call the here-and-now, at the same time planning for the future – which is going to be fantastic.
“I believe our future is also going to be one of our saving graces as well because we do see the potential for extra income and funding into the council to take the pressure off our residents and our ratepayers.”
Recommendations made by the ESCOSA Report are being taken on board.
“As part of our budget preparation, we’ve been working in conjunction with our Independent Audit and Risk Committee, looking at all our opportunities as to how we can reduce our cost.”
