Issue

SPRA have significant concerns about the rise in rate revenue and debt position of the council. SPRA would prefer to see council spending cut or deferred rather than rate rises at more than double the rate of inflation.

In our response to the draft of the 2023-2024 budget, SPRA noted concerns about the Payneham Memorial Swimming Pool and the significant increase in council debt represented by the Net Financial Liabilities Ratio (NFLR). Twelve months later the budget of the Payneham Memorial Swimming Pool has tripled to $60 million with the potential to increase further. The NFLR has increased from the previous peak of 117% to 162% and will still be above 130% in 2034.

This deputation is made as a result of the decision made by Council in December 2023 to proceed with the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre in spite of the cost being three times what was expected in 2022, and the effect this will have on the future Council finances.

In 2022 & earlier the pool cost was expected to be about $20m.

In the 2023/4 budget a figure of $24m was used although it was expected that tenders would be in the order of $30m.

We spoke to this when we addressed Council prior to last year’s budget.

The $60m cost is double that of the similar facilities currently being built at Salisbury.

SPRA responded to the Local Government Participation and Elections Review with a detailed response that covered many topics including:

• Council engagement with community
• Council meeting
• Nominating for council
• Elections including compulstory voting

It has been suggested that SPRA should enter a local tree in the 2024 SA Tree of the Year Contest.

The organisers of the competition, 20 Metre Trees (facebook), will open nominations soon.

Do you know of a local tree that should be entered? If so, please contact Evonne Moore info@stpeters.asn.au and tell her why this tree is important to you. A story and photo will help in the application process. SPRA can assist with this.

In April this year the Committee wrote to Council following the observation that the beautifully artistic sculpture “The Egrets” was missing from their usual position in Linde Reserve, Stepney.

One of the great features of Linde Reserve is the collection of public art sculptures by metal artists Will Kuiper and Meliesa Judge.

SPRA have responded to the 2023-2024 Annual Business Plan & Budget.

Concerns raised include:

• Assumptions in budget (CPI: 2%, Borrowing rate: 2.4%)
• Net Financial Liability Ratio exceeding 100%
• $32.6 millon cost of Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre Redevelopment

On Sunday 31st May from 12pm - 2pm, a picnic will be held in Rymill Park in protest over the government's plans to build a 6 lan dual carriage way diagonally through Rymill Park.

It will be a bring-your-own picnic, but it is planned that there will be a sausage sizzle, live music and some key speeches from some high profile people such as Lord Mayor Martin Haese and Senator Nick Xenophon. The event is intended as a picnic / protest event that should be an enjoyable, fun-filled community event in it's own right.

Please refer to the flyer for more information. The Residents set to rally against O-Bahn project at Rymill Park article in the Sunday Mail provides more information on concerns.

The Women's Centre at Stepney has been nominated for the State Heritage List. If successful, this would give this historic cottage and the work of generations of women in it protection from future destruction. It was only a few years back when our Council voted to knock the Women's Centre down. Thankfully this decision was reversed after a huge community back-lash. Submissions on this nomination can be made to the State Heritage Committee up until 30th of October.