Draft 2026/27 Annual Business Plan & Budget

Project Overview

Each year Council prepares a draft annual business plan and budget detailing the proposed new projects, initiatives and services for the upcoming financial year, how Council will fund the plan and current year highlights.

The Draft Plan is strongly tied to Council's 10-year Strategic Directions Plan 2025-2034 and is also underpinned by other plans and strategies adopted by Council.

Some key priority projects proposed under the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026/27 include:

$900,000 annual road resealing program
$307,533 to re-grout the pool and repair the spa at the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre
$1,204,866 towards the multi-year project for electrification and solar panel installation at the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre
$428,188 renewal of foreshore boardwalk
Over $487,000 in footpath and kerb construction and renewal across the City.

In addition to leveraging external funding opportunities to fund this plan, Council proposes increases in revenue from rates and service charges as follows:

Total general rate revenue increase of 4.9% per Land Use Code
$10 increase in the Fixed Charge component of the general rate, which is included in the total rates revenue increase of 4.9%
Unit charges for Waste and Recycling will increase by 4.9% per service; and
Regional Landscape Levy increases on average of 2.85%, as advised by the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board.

The 4.9% increase in general rate revenue equates to approximately a $27 increase per quarter for the average residential inclusive ofall property rates and service charges.

To view the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2026/27 refer to the Key Documents section on the right.

The Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026/27 includes the Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036 - Financial Summary.

Hard copies of the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2026/27, including Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036 Financial Summary are available at the Council Administration Office and Port Lincoln Library from Thursday, 21 May 2026 to 9am Friday, 12 June 2026.

Further details on how to provide feedback can be found below.

Key Dates

Consultation Opens - 21 May 2026

The public consultation period is open from Thursday, 21 May 2026 to 9am on Friday, 12 June 2026.
Consultation Closes - 12 June 2026

The consultation period closes on Friday, 12 June 2026 at 9am
Community Information Sessions - 4 and 5 June 2026
Members of the community are invited to attend drop-in information sessions at any time during the sessions below at the Port Lincoln Library to ask questions of Elected Members and Council staff, and learn more about the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2026/27:
- Thursday, 4 June 2026 - 10.00am to 6.30pm
- Friday, 5 June 2026 - 9.00am to 3.00pm
Ordinary Council Meeting - 15 June 2026

One hour will be set aside at the commencement of the Council Meeting for members of the community to make verbal submissions to Council.
Special Council Meeting - 29 June 2026

Council will receive the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026/27 and Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036 - Financial Summary, Consultation Summary Report, including any verbal submissions received at the June Ordinary Council meeting.

Council will consider the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026/27, Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036 and Draft Strategic Asset Management Plan 2027-2036 for adoption.

Have Your Say

Members of the community are invited to have their say on the Draft Annual Business Plan and Annual Budget 2026/27, including the Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036 Financial Summary during the public consultation period from Thursday, 21 May 2026 to 9am Friday, 12 June 2026.

Written submissions can be made via:

Engagement Hub: through "Written Submissions" panel on the right.

Email: yoursay@plcc.sa.gov.au

By post (addressed to):

Chief Executive Officer
City of Port Lincoln
PO Box 1787
PORT LINCOLN SA 5606

In person:

Level One, Civic Centre,
60 Tasman Terrace, Port Lincoln

Community Drop-in Information Sessions

Two community drop-in information sessions will be held at the Port Lincoln Library providing an opportunity to speak directly with Elected Members and Council staff:

Thursday, 4 June 2026 - 10.00am to 6.30pm
Friday, 5 June 2026 - 9.00am to 3.00pm

Verbal Submissions

Community members are invited to the Ordinary Council Meeting on Monday, 15 June 2026 at 6.30pm, where one hour will be set aside for Council to receive verbal submissions on the Draft Annual Business Plan and Annual Budget 2026/27 and the Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036 Financial Summary.

Please contact Council administration to register if you are intending to make a verbal submission to Council by Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

Council decision

A Special Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 29 June 2026, for Council to consider the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026/27 for adoption.

Any questions on the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget can be directed to Council's Manager Finance & Business, Bonnie Kelso on 8621 2309 or email bonnie.kelso@plcc.sa.gov.au.

Community 'drop in' Info Sessions

Join us at the Port Lincoln Library to learn more and speak directly with Elected Members and Council staff about the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget.

Drop-in any time on:

Thursday, 4 June 2026 - 10.00am to 6.30pm
Friday, 5 June 2026 - 9.00am to 3.00pm

Key Documents

Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget

Draft Annual Business Plan & Budget 2026/27

Draft Annual Budget 2026/27

Agendas & Minutes

Ordinary Council Meeting - 18 May 2026 - Agenda Item 12.6 (continued)

Ordinary Council Meeting - 18 May 2026 - Agenda Item 12.6

FAQS

Each year, Council's operating costs increase for a variety of reasons including but not limited to CPI, Local Government Price Index (LGPI), population growth and other factors. These all have an impact on the operations of Council.

Rate Revenue needs to increase accordingly to cover the operational increases, capital renewals and capital upgrades programs and other Council services. In 2026/27, Council has included in the operating budget significant funds towards operating initiatives that will improve the efficiencies of Council as well as assist in progression towards the goals and actions outlined in Council's Strategic Directions Plan 2025-2034. These are all listed in the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026/27 document.

Yes, a 2% discount on the general rate amount will be applied for those who pay their rates and charges in full by 4.30pm Friday 11 September 2026.

The total General Rate Revenue increase proposed in 2026/27 Annual Budget is 4.9% per LAND USE CODE.

The total rate increase will vary from property to property.

The Rates Impact Statement found on page 38 of the Draft Annual Business Plan & Budget 2026/27 provides an INDICATION ONLY of changes at may be expected across each of the land use codes.

Your rates are made up of as follows:

Rate in Dollar (as per your Land Use Code) x site value of your property

Land Use	Rate in Dollar
Residential	$ 0.00226552
Commercial Shop	$ 0.00320319
Commercial Office	$ 0.00320319
Commercial Other	$ 0.00320319
Industry Light	$ 0.00322821
Industry Other	$ 0.00322821
Primary Production	$ 0.00311363
Vacant Land	$ 0.00681540
Other	$ 0.00178997
Marina Berths	$ 0.00246611
E Bulk Handling	$ 0.00986182

Fixed Charge: $670.00
Waste Collection: $345.00 annual service charge
Recycling Collection: $71.00 annual service charge
Regional Landscape Levy: Determined by Land-use Type and collected by Council on behalf of the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board

If you choose to pay your rates quarterly, reminders will be sent out at least 30 days before each instalment due date of:

11 September 2026
4 December 2026
5 March 2027
4 June 2027

Rate notices will be issued mid July 2026 for distribution shortly after.

If you find yourself in a difficult financial position and are unsure if you can make your rates payment when it falls due, we encourage you to contact Council's rates department as soon as possible to advise us of your situation.

Individuals and businesses can apply to have their rates postponed and/or enter into an agreed payment plan if they meet the hardship criteria outlined in Council's Financial Hardship Policy 7.63.17. This will be upon application and assessed on a case by case basis.

The Financial Hardship Application Form can be found under the Related Documents section above.

What will happen to my feedback?

All feedback will be logged and considered by Council at an Ordinary Council Meeting following the close of the public consultation period.

When will a decision be made?

Following the close of the consultation period on 12 June 2026, Council will consider feedback received before final adoption of the Draft budget scheduled for 29 June 2026.