The District Council of Tumby Bay has embarked on a rigorous review of its Strategic Plan to synchronize the growth and development of its townships, including Tumby Bay, Port Neill, Ungarra, and Lipson, with the present needs of the community. Known for its blend of seaside and rural living, robust agricultural sector, thriving tourism industry, and abundant natural resources, Tumby Bay stands as an alluring destination for sustained investment.

In order to effectively oversee and facilitate this growth, the Council must ascertain the requisite services, infrastructure, and land resources, while also addressing prevailing challenges and opportunities within the community. The updated Strategic Plan will initially outline the emerging aspirations of the community, followed by the formulation of a long-term strategic framework that encompasses considerations for future built structures, infrastructure investments, residential land requisites, community service demands, and economic prospects.

Integral to the Strategic Plan will be high-level conceptual blueprints delineating key actions and earmarked locations for prospective land use and development. These actions will be underpinned by comprehensive investigations and an implementation blueprint that allocates priority levels, top-level cost estimations, potential funding avenues, timelines, and the responsible entities.

Furthermore, the Strategic Plan will serve as a linchpin informing forthcoming Code Amendments, the Long-Term Financial Plan, and other initiatives undertaken by the Council. It will steer future development and investments in the district with a unified approach, aiming to achieve optimal outcomes for the community.

Purpose of the Review

The review is a proactive step by the District Council of Tumby Bay to ensure that its Strategic Plan remains attuned to current needs, aligns with Council's overarching strategic vision, and can adapt to the evolving expectations of both Council and the wider community.

Scope of the Review

The review will encompass an evaluation of the progress made towards the goals set in the 2020-2030 Strategic Plan, as well as an assessment of the priority and timing for outstanding actions. This will entail an in-depth analysis of shifting demographics, a review of Council-wide strategic documents, and a consideration of evolving trends and community aspirations.

The District Council of Tumby Bay remains committed to fostering sustainable growth and development within its townships, ensuring a vibrant and prosperous future for all residents.

How to Have Your Say on the Revised Strategic Plan

We value input in shaping the future of our townships. Your feedback is crucial in ensuring that the revised Strategic Plan aligns with the aspirations of our community. Community members were invited to share thoughts on priority actions and any additional needs that may have emerged since the inception of the plan.

Multiple community drop-in sessions were offered in addition to council staff, progress association, business and youth group sessions. Community members were invited to contribute via online survey, provide feedback via email.

The deadline for the first phase of consultation was 5pm, Tuesday 31 October 2023. Further opportunities for feedback into the Strategic Plan will become available early 2024.

Why have a Coastal Adaptation Strategy?

Tumby Bay’s foreshore and coastal environment is quintessential to our town. Council has faced a number of challenges in recent years in managing the increased pressure on coastal structures and foreshore assets. Whilst Council has continued to try to manage these risks with emergency works, without a clear longer-term approach to manage the foreshore, the risk to assets and public safety will only exacerbate with sea level rise and climate change impacts.

Subsequently, Council through partnership with the Coast Protection Board, are undertaking a Coastal Adaptation Plan. Coastal Adaptation Planning is a world recognised, best practice approach to long term coastal management.

The process:

• considers the risks coastal hazards will place on assets and community now and into the future; and
• takes a holistic view (social, environmental, and economic) of viable coastal management approaches to inform the recommended pathway forward in light of these pressures.

How the community got involved?

The community of Tumby Bay had the opportunity to be involved in the adaptation planning process, via 1:1 engagement sessions with the coastal specialists undertaking the adaptation plan.

These sessions provided an opportunity to:

• understand what’s involved in the adaptation planning process
• share your own knowledge and understanding of the coastal environment at Tumby Bay
• discuss viable management options for the future and express your preferences.

Sessions will be for 20 minutes and held at the Council Office meeting room on Tuesday 14 November.

The District Council of Tumby Bay is facilitating the development of a Sport and Recreational Precinct Masterplan for the Tumby Bay Oval precinct.

The precinct currently accommodates a range of sports, including tennis, netball, football, cricket and basketball, with clubrooms and toilet facilities shared by the football and netball club. The precinct also includes the Tumby Bay Bowling Club and an indoor stadium that is regularly used by Tumby Bay Area School. Other features include a BMX track, skate park, pump track, and fenced playground area. The oval is also regularly used as a dog exercising area.

The current shared-use facilities are fast approaching end-of-life, providing the perfect opportunity to think about how the precinct can be improved and revitalised. Council has started working with local sporting groups to develop an overall strategy for Tumby Bay Oval and is now seeking community input.

How the Community Had their Say

It is important that the Sport and Recreational Precinct Masterplan aligns with the community’s aspirations for this precinct. We therefore sought community feedback on what ideas individuals and clubs might have for the future development of the Tumby Bay Oval precinct.

The community was invited to share their ideas on the Sport and Recreational Precinct Masterplan at one of our three community drop-in sessions:

Community Drop-in Sessions

Please join us at one of our community drop-in sessions to share your insights:

(NB: these sessions were held together with the drop-in sessions for the Tumby Bay Strategic Plan review – so people could have a say in both!)

Feedback

The community was also offered various other methods to provide their input including:

• completing a brief online survey
• submitting an email with feedback.

Responses were due by 5pm on Tuesday, 7 November 2023.

A fact sheet on the Sport and Recreational Precinct Masterplan was available.

Holmes Dyer have been engaged to work with Council on this important project. Should you wish to ask questions or require further information, please contact Holmes Dyer on (08) 7231 1889 or email engagement@holmesdyer.com.au.

Pursuant to Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1999, public comment was invited on Council’s Rate Review Report (the Report).

The Report addressed the following:

1. The transition from the Site Value to the Capital Value of a property as the basis to calculate rates.
2. Implementation of a differential rating structure based on Land Use instead of Locality (not including Silos).

A copy of the Report was available from the Council Office or downloadable via the link below:

• Rate Review Report

The final report is available at the link below;

• Rating Review Conclusion Report

Community Consultation Sessions

Information Session* at the Senior Citizens Club, 11 Tumby Terrace, Tumby Bay

• Wednesday 8th November 2023 at 6pm

Drop-In or Call Sessions at the Council Office, Cnr Mortlock Street and West Terrace, Tumby Bay

• Thursday 9 November 2023 – 2:30pm – 4:30pm
• Tuesday 14 November 2023 – 5pm – 7pm

Public Meeting at the Senior Citizens Club, 11 Tumby Terrace, Tumby Bay (Note this change in location)

• Tuesday 21st November 2023 at 6.30pm

*A presentation on proposed changes will be provided at the Information Session ONLY.

The public consultation notice is available via the link below:

• Public Consultation Notice

Submissions

Written comments were received until 4pm on 23 November 2023:

• at the Council Office, Mortlock Street, Tumby Bay
• via post to PO Box 61, Tumby Bay SA 5605
• email to dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au
• via the online form
• or QR code below:

To gain a clearer understanding or what library services are used, what are not and what the community and library staff are looking to increase or add was important to determine before Council allocated budget for a new local level agreement.

The community was asked to participate in the survey by participating online or in hard copy at the library.  At the time of submitting the report to Council there were 41 responders.

The survey has remained open on SurveyMonkey to enable people to contribute and share ideas.

Background

In 2023 the District Council of Tumby Bay (the Council) embarked on a rigorous review of its Strategic Plan to synchronize the growth and development of its townships, including Tumby Bay, Port Neill, Ungarra and Lipson, with the present needs of the community. Known for its blend of seaside and rural living, robust agricultural sector, thriving tourism industry and abundant natural resources, Tumby Bay stands as an alluring destination for sustained investment.

To effectively oversee and facilitate this growth, the Council needed to ascertain the requisite services, infrastructure and land resources, while also addressing prevailing challenges and opportunities within the community.

Thanks to the input of Elected Members, council staff, progress associations, various sporting clubs, students and a wide range of community members from across the district, Strategic Plan Review Draft 1 was made available for consideration.

The purpose of the Strategic Plan Review Draft 1 was to evaluate the relevance of existing guiding values and strategic themes to the current community’s aspirations, amending elements if necessary, and generating a clear set of measurable actions in the form of an Action Plan.

• Strategic Plan Review Draft 1
• Strategic Plan Review Draft 1 Report Snapshot

Providing Feedback

We value the community's input in shaping the future of our townships. Feedabck is crucial in ensuring that the Strategic Plan Review Draft 1 aligned with the aspirations of our community. We invited the community to share their thoughts in Stage 2 consultation.

Concepts designs from the Tumby Bay Sports and Recreational Precinct Masterplan were also available for feedback.

Community Drop-in Sessions

People were invited to community drop-in sessions to share their insights:

Share Your Feedback

People could also provide input by:

• completing a brief survey - access was provided via a link or scanned via QR code
• email
• written comment to council -  dropped into reception or posted
• mailed directly to consultants.
•  

Submission Deadline

Survey responses and written submissions were required by 5:00pm on Friday, 5 April 2024.

Background

The District Council of Tumby Bay (the Council) commenced facilitation of the development of a Sport and Recreational Precinct Masterplan for the Tumby Bay Oval precinct with the engagement of associated sporting clubs and the Tumby Bay Area School. The current shared-use facilities are fast approaching end-of-life, providing the opportunity to think about how the precinct could be improved and revitalized.

The precinct currently accommodates a range of sports, including tennis, netball, football, cricket and basketball, with clubrooms and toilet facilities shared by the football and netball club. The precinct also includes the Tumby Bay Bowling Club and an indoor stadium that is regularly used by Tumby Bay Area School. Other features include a BMX track, skate park, pump track, and fenced playground area. The oval is also used as a dog exercising area.

Sporting groups with the support of Council engaged consultants to develop an overall strategy for the Tumby Bay Oval. In stage 2 consultation, we were seeking community input through the review of concept plans.

• Tumby Bay Sport and Recreation Precinct Masterplan Snapshot
• Low Intervention Concept Plan
• Medium Intervention Concept Plan
• High Intervention Concept Plan

Providing Feedback

A sporting club session was arranged to provide specific feedback, in addition to the drop in session scheduled below. Sporting clubs also had opportunity to mark up concept plans and provide back to council.

Community Drop-in Sessions

Share Your Feedback

People could also provide input by:

• completing a brief survey - access was provided via a link or scanned via QR code
• email
• written comment to council -  dropped into reception or posted
• mailed directly to consultants.
•  

Submission Deadline

Survey responses and written submissions were required by 5:00pm on Friday, 5 April 2024.

Engaging the community in Coastal Adaptation Planning

Background

Council acknowledges that coastal management challenges, such as erosion and inundation, will only increase into the future and require a well-informed, planned approach for effective and responsible coastal management for future generations.  As a result, Council is in the process of working to develop a Coastal Adaptation Plan to inform future pathways and priority actions.

Fact sheet

A fact sheet has been developed to provide an overview of the steps undertaken in the adaption planning process to date. Also included below for your information are detailed coastal erosion hazard and inundation maps of Tumby Bay.

• Coastal Adaptation Planning - Fact Sheet
• Tumby Bay Coastal Erosion Hazards - Map 1
• Tumby Bay Coastal Erosion Hazards - Map 2
• Inundation Township

Next steps

Prior to construction of any protection structure, an important next step in the design process is to work with the community and Council on the alignment, and to look for opportunities to maximise the amenities and features of the foreshore that the community value most.

Any concept design prepared will be put to the community for consultation as part of the planning process.

Drop in sessions 

To understand more about the adaptation planning process, the hazard mapping results or the adaptation options assessment undertaken, drop-in sessions were made available on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 April 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Coastal Adaptation Planning - FAQ

Feedback

Feedback on the above could be provided to dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au.

During this consultation, Council was seeking ratepayer input regarding the establishment of a levy component (Levy) to fund the Tumby Bay and Port Neill jetties.

A council may declare a general rate* or a separate rate on rateable land within the area of the council for the purpose of carrying out, maintaining or improving an activity that is, or is intended to be, of particular benefit to the land, or the occupiers of the land, or to visitors to the area. Either a general rate or separate rate will achieve a similar outcome and is, for the purposes of this consultation, referred to as a Levy.

Consultation

It is important that ratepayers in the District Council of Tumby Bay, were given an opportunity to indicate if they were willing to pay a Levy component equivalent to a between 10% and 15% increase in general rates to reinstate the Tumby Bay jetty (Project) and provide maintenance to both the Tumby Bay jetty and Port Neill jetty (Jetties) ongoing. If accepted, the Levy would be added to the rates on top of the current rates and charges.

There is no ‘opt in’ or ‘opt out’ scenario; if the Tumby Bay jetty is to be reinstated, and both Jetties maintained to the requisite standard into the future, then every ratepayer will be making a considerable financial contribution toward the Jetties, for both the annual operational costs (for the ongoing maintenance of the Jetties) and the repayment of any loan funds required to fund the Project.

Council anticipates that the expenditure required to reopen and maintain the Tumby Bay jetty is of a level that could impact on the capacity of the Council to fund other key services and assets in the future without further general rate increases. The indicative Project values for the options that have been considered by Council are significant both in immediate capital cost and in long term lifecycle costs for the Jetties.

Council assured residents that ‘no stone has been left unturned’ and the endeavours to find a long-term and financially sustainable solution for our community is supported by robust research, modelling, and analysis.

There has been significant public and media interest in the Jetties from the closure of the Tumby Bay jetty, and now is the time for residents to make an important contribution towards Council’s decision-making process.

Survey

Council authorised a survey to be sent to each owner of each rateable property within the Council area. Due to the significant rate increase required, each rateable property was entitled to one (1) survey response.

Ratepayers were asked to consider whether they supported Council applying a Levy component for the Jetties. Where a ratepayer answered YES to the initial question, they were asked to identify which option, with respect to the replacement or refurbishment of the Tumby Bay Jetty, they support. Only ONE option should be checked.

The survey form had to be returned to Council prior to 28 March 2024. This enabled the responses to be considered by Council at its 4 April 2024 meeting and for the outcome of the survey to be included in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan and Annual Business Plan that will then be released for further public consultation.

Drop-in session

Mayor Geoff Churchett was available to answer questions about the Jetties, and any other matters of interest to you, at a “Conversations with the Mayor” public drop-in session at the Council Chambers on Wednesday 20 March 2024. The public were invited to attend anytime between 3pm and 5pm.

FAQs and costs associated with options

Costs associated of the options being considered by ratepayers in the survey please were provided in Frequently Asked Questions below:

• Tumby Bay & Port Neill Jetties - Frequently Asked Questions
•  

*Council programs and services in South Australia are funded predominately by council rates. Council rates are a form of property tax, not a fee for service. The Council receives very limited revenue from other income sources (such as grants), as such, rates are the only mechanism to raise the additional capital required to fund the Project.

Public Consultation

Pursuant to Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1999 (the Act), public written comment is invited on a proposal to grant an Authorisation and Permit under Sections 221 and 222 of the Act over a portion of road reserve on the Tumby Bay foreshore, Tumby Terrace, Tumby Bay to Grou Caravan Park Pty Ltd for the purposes of a caravan park entry and access, a kiosk and other purposes relevant to the operation of a caravan park.

Further details are available from the Council Office or click on the link below to view the draft Authorisation and Permit document.

• Authorisation and Permit

Written comments will be received at the Council Office, Mortlock Street, Tumby Bay, via post to PO Box 61, Tumby Bay SA 5605, or by email to dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au until 4pm on 8 September 2023.

Rebecca Hayes
Chief Executive Officer

Each year Council prepares a draft annual business plan and budget detailing the proposed new projects, initiatives and services for the upcoming financial year, how we will fund the plan and current year highlights.

The Draft Annual Business Plan is strongly tied to Council's Strategic Plan and is also underpinned by other plans and strategies adopted by Council.  These key documents were available for the community:

• 2023-2024 Draft Annual Business Plan
• 2023-2024 Draft Budget
• 2020-2030 Strategic Plan
• 2023-2024 to 2029-2030 Long Term Financial Plan
• 2023-2024 Annual Business Plan Fact Sheet

Some priority projects proposed under the 2023-2024 Draft Annual Business Plan and associated 2023-2024 Draft Budget included but were not limited to:

• $2.9M for transport and communication, including maintaining the Tumby Bay airstrip, boat ramps, private works, parking, roads, footpaths, traffic control and upgrading the community bus
• $2.23M to for housing and community affairs, including planning, urban stormwater, public conveniences, the Landscape South Australia levy, street lighting, cemeteries and waste management
• $1.3M for the replacement of two graders, one backhoe, one wagon and the community bus
• $1.2M for recreation and culture, including hall maintenance, the Excell Museum, regional development, community events, libraries, parks, playgrounds, recreational jetties and sporting facilities
• $920,000 for unsealed road construction; that is re-sheeting in accordance with the Infrastructure Asset Management Plan
• $278,000 for the road sealing program
• $139,000 to implement projects under Council’s Community Wastewater Management Plan
• $72,000 for car park reseals to the Tumby Bay boat ramp and oval
• $64,000 to action uncompleted footpaths in the marina precinct.

Hard copies of the 2023-2024 Draft Annual Business Plan and 2023-2024 Draft Budget were available at the Council Office from 8.30am, Thursday 4 May 2023.

Written submissions were received until 5.00pm Wednesday 31 May 2023 by post, email or via online survey response:

Postal Address: PO Box 61, Tumby Bay SA 5605

Email: dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au

Online Survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DraftABPConsultation23-24

Community Information Session

A community information session was held at the Port Neill Bowling Club on Monday, 29 May at 6.30pm.

Key Dates

Consultation Open - Thursday 4 May 2023

Community Information Session - 6.30pm, Monday 29 May 2023, Port Neill Bowling Club

Consultation Close - 5.00pm, Wednesday 31 May 2023

Special Council Meeting - Wednesday 7 June 2023

Ordinary Council Meeting - Tuesday 20 June 2023

Council Decision

All submissions received during the public consultation period were be logged and taken into consideration by Council.

A consultation summary report was prepared and presented, along with all submissions received, to Council at a Special Council Meeting on 7 June 2023. Council give direction on changes to be made to the 2023-2024 Draft Annual Business Plan and associated Draft Budget.

The updated 2023-2024 Draft Annual Business Plan and associated Draft Budget was then presented to Council for adoption at an Ordinary Council Meeting on 20 June 2023.

2020/2030 Long Term Financial Plans – 2023 Review 3

Council advised that the following plans were  available for public comment and could be downloaded from the Council website directly via the links below.

Written submissions were received at the Council Office, Mortlock Street, Tumby Bay or by email to dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au until 4pm on 23 February 2023.

Postal Address: District Council of Tumby Bay, PO Box 61, Tumby Bay SA 5605

• Long Term Financial Plan
• Plant & Equipment Infrastructure Asset Management Plan (IAMP)
• Buildings & Structures IAMP
• Community Waste Management System IAMP
• Transport & Stormwater IAMP

Pursuant to Section 202 of the Local Government Act 1999, public written comment was invited on a proposal to grant a lease to the Tumby Bay Football Club Inc., and to grant a joint lease to the Tumby Bay Basketball Association Inc. and Tumby Bay Netball Club Inc. for use of a portion of the land located at Part Section 336, West Terrace, Tumby Bay (CR 5435/379).

Written comments were received at the Council Office, Mortlock Street, Tumby Bay or by email to dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au until 4pm on 4 February 2023.

The Draft Animal Management Plan 2023-2027 was available for public comment.

Written comments were received at the Council Office, Mortlock Street, Tumby Bay or by email to dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au until 4.30pm on 30 January 2023.

Postal Address: District Council of Tumby Bay, PO Box 61, Tumby Bay SA 5605

Pursuant to Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1999, public written comment was invited on a proposal to re-issue existing Section 222 permits to adjoining landowners for the purpose of cropping and depasturing of animals on various unconstructed road reserves.

Written comments were received at the Council Office, Mortlock Street, Tumby Bay or by email to dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au until 4pm on 19 July 2022.

The District Council of Tumby Bay advised that its Draft Annual Business Plan for 2022/2023 was open for consultation and could be downloaded from the Council website here. Hard copies were available for viewing from the Council Office, Mortlock Street, Tumby Bay from Friday 10 June 2022.

A community information session was held at the Ungarra Sporting Complex on Wednesday 6 July at 6.30pm.

Written submissions on the Draft Annual Business Plan were received until 4.30pm Friday 8 July 2022 either by post, email or Councils website.

Postal Address: PO Box 61, Tumby Bay SA 5605

Email: dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au

Website: www.tumbybay.sa.gov.au

Pursuant to Section 194 of the Local Government Act 1999(2) (b), the District Council of Tumby Bay proposed to revoke the Community Land classification of Allotment 285 Tumby Bay – CR 5756/491.

Crown Record 5756/491 is Crown Land dedicated to Council for the purpose of public utility. The proposal was to revoke Community Land status to the entire parcel to allow the Crown lands department to lease the land. The total area was 131 square meters.

A copy of the plans detailing the proposal and location were available here.

Any objection to the proposal must have been set out with the full name and address of the person making the objection and must be fully supported by reasons.

Written submissions were received until the close of business Thursday 10 March 2022 either by post or email.

Postal Address: District Council of Tumby Bay, PO Box 61, Tumby Bay SA 5605

Email: dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au

The District Council of Tumby Bay advised that its Draft 2020/2030 Long Term Financial Plan - Review 2 was available for public consultation. People could read it here: Draft 2020/2023 Long Term Financial Plan.

Written submissions were received until the close of business Friday March 4 2022 either by post, email or through Council's email link on the website.

Postal address: District Council of Tumby Bay, PO Box 61, Tumby Bay, SA, 5605.

Email: dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au

Pursuant to Section 202 of the Local Government Act 1999, public written comment was invited on a proposal to grant a lease to the Tumby Bay Football Club Inc., and to grant a joint lease to the Tumby Bay Basketball Association Inc. and Tumby Bay Netball Club Inc. for use of a portion of the land located at Part Section 336, West Terrace, Tumby Bay (CR 5435/379).

Written comments were received at the Council Office, Mortlock Street, Tumby Bay or by email to dctumby@tumbybay.sa.gov.au until 4pm on 8 February 2022.