2016/17 Annual Business Plan and Budget Adopted
In adopting its 2016/17 budget, the City of Victor Harbor has reinforced its commitment to investing in the future of Victor Harbor.
The budget allows for net capital expenditure of $10.5 million. Operating expenses of $25.8 million are funded by revenue of just over $26 million delivering a surplus of $252,300.
The 2016/17 budget aims to ensure Council has the appropriate services and infrastructure in place to support our growing community. It shows Council undertaking major projects including year two of the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic construction, civil works for stages one and two of the Mainstreet Precinct Upgrade, the extension of The Bluff boat ramp car park, completion of the Ocean Road upgrade and development of the historic railway turntable site, while delivering the lowest rate increase in more than a decade.
The City of Victor Harbor has budgeted to raise $19.8 million through council rates. For ratepayers this will mean an average increase of 2% or $36 for the year.
Within the 2016/17 budget the Council has provided for the establishment of new services as mandated by the State Government which accounts for 1.3% of this year’s rate rise. The new services relate to local nuisance and litter control, cat management, state heritage advisory service and planning reform.
View the 2016/17 Annual Business Plan and Budget or download the summary.
Victor Harbor Bicycle Strategy
The City of Victor Harbor is seeking your feedback on the draft Victor Harbor Bicycle Strategy.
Council encourages bicycle riding, and supports cycling as it has a strong link with our strategic objectives and vision for Victor Harbor. Specifically, increased cycling will contribute to a healthy lifestyle for our residents, provide increased tourism for businesses and relief from traffic congestion and parking problems.
The draft Victor Harbor Bicycle Strategy aims to:
- encourage recreational cycling by both residents and visitors; off-road and on-road, both sealed and gravel;
- encourage cycling for transport purposes by residents;
- take advantage of the economic opportunities of cycle tourism.
Find out more about the draft strategy and how you can provide Council with your feedback online at www.yoursay.victor.sa.gov.au/cycling or view a hard copy at the Civic Centre (1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor).
The public consultation period closes at 5pm on Wednesday, 3 August 2016.
Tour Down Under Back to Victor Harbor in 2017
Victor Harbor will again be in the global spotlight after securing a stage finish in the 2017 Santos Tour Down Under.
The race routes for next year’s event were announced in Adelaide earlier this week, with the City of Victor Harbor named as the host of the Stage 3 finish on Thursday, 19 January 2017.
City of Victor Harbor Mayor Graham Philp said the Council is delighted to again be a part of the internationally acclaimed cycling event.
“The Santos Tour Down Under is such an asset to our State, and the City of Victor Harbor is excited about being involved in the event in 2017,” said Mayor Philp.
“The Tour presents our Council area, and more broadly the region, with significant tourism and economic benefits. Not only are images of our beautiful landscape beamed around the world, but our town becomes a hive of activity with cycling enthusiasts and visitors injecting dollars into our local economy.”
Mike Turtur, Race Director, Santos Tour Down Under said that Victor Harbor is a popular location for a stage finish with the seaside town attracting families on holiday who come out and support the race.
“We have implemented a massive change for the Stage 3 finish in Victor Harbor next year with a 13km finishing circuit with four laps along The Esplanade,” said Mike Turtur.
The 2017 Santos Tour Down Under will be held from Saturday 14 January until Sunday 22 January. Visit
www.tourdownunder.com.au
for all the details.
Dog Registrations
It is important to register your dog each year so that if your dog is lost, the City of Victor Harbor can contact you and reunite you with your pet.
The dog registration period runs from 1 July to 30 June each year. Renewal notices have recently been sent to dog owners in the City of Victor Harbor for 2016/17.
Renewals are due by 31 August. Please be advised that a late fee of $15 may be charged for late payments.
Find out more about dog registrations.
It’s all action in the Mainstreet Precinct
Despite the wild weather we have recently experienced, Stage 1 of the Victor Harbor Mainstreet Precinct Upgrade continues to progress.
With underground works wrapping up, the site is beginning to come back to order with changes appearing above the ground. The concrete gardens beds and seat pods are taking shape, and next week paving works are set to commence.
Road Closure Notice
Please be advised that Ocean Street will be closed for one week from 25 July to 31 July. While Ocean Street will be closed to vehicles, there will be pedestrian access to the Precinct at all times. It is recommended that members of the community use the car parks along Railway Terrace and McKinlay Street, where possible, and access the Mainstreet Precinct using the various pedestrian laneways.
Supporting Local Business
From now until August, participating Mainstreet Traders are running an ‘Im in’ campaign with Council’s support. The campaign involves a raffle where customers will have a chance to win a weekly prize valued up to $250. Additionally, in the near future there will also be a voucher book distributed to local households with a number of deals and discounts for Mainstreet businesses.
There’s no better time to support local business. I’m in. Are you?
Elector Representation Review Commenced
The City of Victor Harbor is currently conducting its Elector Representation Review to consider the future number of councillors, the method to elect the Mayor and whether the area should be divided into wards.
The purpose of the review is to ensure that the composition of elected members provides the most beneficial structure for representation of our community.
Over the next six months there will be two opportunities for community feedback and input. In addition, all Elected Member workshops on this topic will be open to the public.
The first workshop, which included a public information session was held on Monday, 11 July 2016 from 5.30pm in the Council Chambers (1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor). There was a good turnout at the session, and those in attendance had an opportunity to ask more about the process of the review.
If you were unable to make the information session, Council has developed a factsheet which explains more about the review.
During the Representation Review process there will be two formal public consultation periods where the community will have a chance to share their thoughts and views.
The first round of public consultation is due to commence on 18 August and close on 30 September 2016. Consultation periods will be advertised in The Times as well as on Council’s website.
Find out more about the Elector Representation Review.
Have Your Say – Victor Harbor Better Development Plan and General Development Plan Amendment
The City of Victor Harbor has released the Victor Harbor Better Development Plan and General Development Plan Amendment (DPA) for public consultation.
The DPA seeks to convert the Council’s current Development Plan into the ‘Better Development Plan’ structure which results in the adoption of consistent state-wide policies from the SA Planning Policy Library. The DPA also attempts to address some minor planning zone boundary anomalies.
The proposed DPA is available for viewing online or at the City of Victor Harbor Civic Centre (1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor).
The public have until 5pm on Tuesday, 9 August to make a written submission.
At the conclusion of the public consultation period, all submissions will be made available to the public and a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, 16 August 2016 at 3pm in order to hear submissions from people who have requested to speak in relation to the DPA. If there are no requests to speak at the hearing, it will not be held).
Find out more at www.yoursay.victor.sa.gov.au/bdp.
New Blood Donors Needed in Victor Harbor
The Blood Service is calling for new donors from across Victor Harbor with more than 120 appointments needing to be filled when the Mobile Blood Donor Centre visits from July 26 to 29.
Up to 300 donors are cancelling appointments across South Australia each week due to Winter illnesses, largely accounting for the donor shortage in Victor Harbor later this month.
More than 7000 Victor Harbor residents are the right age to donate blood but only 420 do so. The Blood Service is asking the remaining 6580 to roll up their sleeves and give blood for the first time.
More than one third of blood donated in South Australia is transfused to cancer and blood disorder patients.
The Mobile Blood Donor Centre will be located at the Lutheran Church, 21 Adelaide Rd, Victor Harbor, from July 26 to July 29.
To make an appointment to donate blood call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au.
Next Council Meeting
The next ordinary Council meeting will be held on Monday, 25 July 2016 at 5.30pm in the Council Chambers (1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor).
Council meetings are livestreamed via www.victor.sa.gov.au.
