Mayor’s Budget Speech – Adoption of 2026–2027 Budget

Published on 24 June 2026

If there is one thing I want our community to take away from this budget, it is this — it delivers real, visible improvements right across the Flinders Shire.

This is not a one-town budget. It’s a whole-of-Shire budget.

From Hughenden to Stamford, Prairie and Torrens Creek, we are investing in the things that matter to people — water security, local infrastructure, community facilities, and the services people rely on every day.

In Hughenden, we are making serious progress on water security and continuing upgrades at the Showgrounds.
In Stamford, we are supporting the Sports Club — because we know these facilities are the heart of small communities.
In Prairie and Torrens Creek, we are improving amenities and investing in projects that strengthen liveability and community pride.

Across the Shire, we are continuing to support roads, events, and community groups — the fundamentals that keep our region connected and thriving.

Before I go further, I want to acknowledge the significant work that has gone into developing this budget.

On behalf of Council, I thank our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team for the months of workshopping, refinement, and collaboration with Councillors to get us to this point. This is a balanced, measured and responsible budget — and that doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects careful planning, disciplined thinking, and a genuine commitment to getting the best outcome for our community.

Now, I want to address the reality we are all facing.

This budget includes a modest 5.2% increase for residential general rates, with 4.6 per cent increase in rural, industrial and commercial rates, kept in line with CPI.

I know no one welcomes an increase — but this is a measured and responsible decision. It ensures we can maintain essential services, invest in critical infrastructure, and avoid the far greater cost of falling behind.

Importantly, this is a disciplined budget.

While headline figures reflect the scale of our asset base, Council is operating with a solid underlying surplus of around $1.1 million (prior to depreciation) — meaning we are living within our means and planning for the future.

At the same time, we are delivering a capital works program of more than $28.7 million — backing local jobs, contractors, and economic activity across our region. This is our biggest ever capital works budget delivery in recent times and is a testament to our strong advocacy and operational capability.

And at the centre of this budget is our single biggest priority — water security.

We are investing $20 million over the next two years into vital water infrastructure to secure our lifestyle, our economy, and our future growth for decades to come. We are determined to fix the water quality issues, and this budget allows it.

This is not optional. It is essential.

We are also investing in the fabric of our communities.

This includes upgrades at the Hughenden Showgrounds, targeted investment in our smaller towns, and $200,000 in community grants to support the volunteers and organisations that give our Shire its heartbeat.

For our rural sector, we are continuing service delivery while undertaking a strategic review of weed and pest management — with a focus on better outcomes and better value for rural landholders.

And importantly, we will continue to advocate strongly for our fair share of external funding — because regional communities like ours should not be left behind.

This budget is about balance.

It is responsible without being stagnant.
It is ambitious without being reckless.
And it is practical, while still positioning us for the opportunities ahead.

We are preparing for growth, backing our communities, and investing in the long-term future of the Flinders Shire.

For those reasons, I commend this budget to Council and speak in favour of the motion.

Mayor Kate Peddle
Flinders Shire Council