Major projects, accessibility and climate change in budget plans

The 2023-24 Annual Business Plan and budget for the year ahead has been endorsed by Council and will see the completion of the new Kingston Park Kiosk as well as a focus on accessibility and climate change.

Significant projects include:

• $18.61 million to continue maintenance and upgrades of our footpaths, roads, kerbs, water table, and stormwater drainage systems. This money will also be used for ongoing maintenance of other important community assets like playgrounds, street furniture, and council buildings.
• $1.847 million to complete Glenelg Oval Masterplan stages 3 and 4
• $220,000 for public toilets for the Patawalonga Lake
• $200,000 for an upgrade of the Glenelg Library to make it accessible to everyone in the community.

Climate change adaptation is another focus for Council.

“As a coastal council, we are already proven leaders in environmental stewardship,” said Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson.

“We were the first coastal council in South Australia to recognise that the world is in a climate emergency and because of this, we’ve allocated $60,000 for Climate Change Adaptation in the coming financial year.”

Another major project is the stormwater upgrades at Tarlton Street, Somerton Park, which will help decrease the likelihood of flooding in a high-risk flood zone.

It has been identified as a priority from the Stormwater Management Plan and Stormwater Implementation Plan and is part-funded by the Federal Government.

Other budget allocations include $673,000 for capital works at the Brighton Beachfront Holiday Park, $500,000 for change room upgrades at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club, and $2.2 million for site remediation and amenity improvements at the former Buffalo site at Glenelg.

To fund the budget, there will be a 6.9% increase in council rates.