ADELAIDE Plains Council (APC) landowners impacted by a sharp increase in the value of land in the region could have their rates reimbursed.

APC elected members adopted the council’s 2019/20 budget and Annual Business Plan at a special meeting on Thursday, June 27.

Rate increases of 2.52 per cent for residential properties and 3.53 per cent for primary production properties were adopted during a nearly three-hour meeting, which saw five different proposed amendments to the council’s operating expenditure defeated.

The council released its draft budget with rate options ranging from zero to three per cent.

A recent revaluation of properties undertaken by the South Australian Valuer-General saw an average 6.9 per cent increase in land value across the council region, prompting fears from ratepayers their rates could rise by 10 per cent.

In response to the increased evaluations, the council will offer rate rebates to primary production properties that will incur a more than 10 per cent rise in their rates, and residential properties that incur more than a 15 per cent rise compared to its 2018/19 council rates.

Ratepayers will need to apply and reach certain criteria to be eligible for a rebate.

Adelaide Plains mayor Mark Wasley commended the council for the way it set its rates for the coming financial year.

“…Particularly in the context of the significant valuation increases our region has just experienced,” he said.

“Council members had to balance community feedback, a major statewide review into property valuations, major infrastructure backlog, and resourcing constraints to deliver a budget that is a balanced under these trying circumstances.”