A plain-English guide to understanding where your rates go — and how decisions are made.
Every year, the District Council of Yankalilla prepares a budget that outlines how public funds will be raised and spent. This process is governed by the Local Government Act and involves several key steps.
The council's revenue comes from several sources:
Property owner contributions based on land value
State and federal government funding
Revenue from services like waste collection, building approvals, and facility hire
Interest earned on council reserves
The budget allocates funds across different areas of council operations:
Roads, bridges, footpaths, and drainage
Libraries, aged care support, community development
Waste management, recycling, environmental protection
Council administration, planning, and compliance
Draft budget prepared by council staff
Community consultation period
Budget deliberations and amendments by elected members
Final budget adoption
Residents have the opportunity to provide feedback during the consultation period. This can be done through:
When reviewing the budget, consider:
Are rate increases reasonable and justified?
Is spending aligned with the council's strategic plan?
Are there adequate reserves for unexpected expenses?
Is debt being managed responsibly?
If you'd like to understand more about how council budgets work, or have concerns about specific items, feel free to reach out.
Contact Shane →