FAQs

We are asking the community for feedback on our draft 2025-2026 Annual Business Plan & budget (ABP) and Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP).

The LTFP guides the financial sustainability of the City of Tea Tree Gully’s projected activities over a ten-year period. The ABP is more operational, where it outlines our key activities over a one-year timeframe.

The Annual Business Plan and budget are key documents that provide a framework to set out projects, services and programs for the financial year and how we intend to fund them.

A Long Term Financial Plan looks to express, in financial terms, the activities Council proposes to undertake over the medium to longer term (generally over a ten year period) to achieve its stated objectives.

Since the plan was adopted in December 2024, there have been significant changes including the purchase of strategic buildings like Sfera’s Park Suites and Convention Centre. The LTFP has been updated to include these changes and is attached to the draft 2025-2026 Annual Business Plan.

The 2025-2026 financial year marks the commencement of the Council’s new Strategic Plan, establishing a clear and forward-looking vision for a thriving community that upholds the value of its people and natural environment.

To achieve financial sustainability these two documents are supported by a $42 million capital works program, and carefully balances financial responsibility and meaningful investment. These projects will make our City even more liveable, support local jobs and businesses and strengthen community resilience.

We prioritise funding based on community needs, legislative requirements, asset maintenance demands, and alignment with our Strategic Plan 2030. Projects are assessed for long-term value, community impact, and financial viability.

Capital expenditure relates to building or upgrading assets (e.g., roads, buildings, parks), while operating expenditure covers day-to-day costs to run services (e.g., waste collection, libraries, community programs).

Council continues to implement responsible budgeting, seek external grant funding, and explore cost-saving opportunities without compromising community services.

Strategic property purchases are made to support long-term community and economic development goals, improve service delivery, or generate a return on investment to help offset costs.

We aim to maintain rate stability over the long term, ensuring that the community’s services, projects and infrastructure needs are consistently met. 

In settling the rates for 2025-2026, we have taken into account the priorities outlined in our Strategic Plan 2030, the prevailing economic conditions our strategy for reducing debt, legislative changes and the ongoing need to maintain and enhance community infrastructure, amenities.

Please refer to the rates fact sheet here for further information.

We recognise that some ratepayers are experiencing ongoing financial hardship and can assist by providing some options to manage payment of rates that are outstanding or will soon become overdue.

In the first instance please contact our Customer Relations team on 8397 7444 to discuss the options that may best suit your circumstances.

Ratepayers who have a state Seniors Card on those experiencing hardship, can apply to Council to postpone payments of rates on the principal place of residence.

The amount and timeframe for postponement is at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.

Review the draft documents including the draft 2025-2026 Annual Business Plan and Budget, and the Long Term Financial Plan

Provide feedback in a number of ways:

• Completing the online feedback form
• Email us with your submission/feedback
• Attend the Council public meeting on 27 May 2025 at 7pm to provide a verbal submission
• Pick up a paper (hard copy) feedback form from:
  1. Council’s Civic Centre reception, 571 Montague Road, Modbury
  2. Tea Tree Gully library
• Call us on 8397 7444 and we’ll post a feedback form to you
• Have a question not already answered in the FAQs? Ask us here

All feedback received will be provided to Council for review and consideration before the final adoption of the Annual Business Plan and budget and Long Term Financial Plan. While we may not implement every suggestion, all submissions help shape our priorities and decision-making.