Adelaide

[Booney]

A western suburbs council will deliver a staggering $14m operating deficit for the 2023-24 financial year, with a multimillion-dollar investment in a new home for the Crows contributing to more than half of the budget blowout.

It comes despite West Torrens Council projecting a $4.25m operating surplus just a few months earlier.

West Torrens said the large budget discrepancy was the result of “some one-off/extraordinary items”, including an $11.26m contribution towards the new Adelaide Football Club headquarters – resulting in a $10.8m budget overspend, documents show.

Elected members last year voted to grant the Crows a 42-year lease to establish its $100m training and administrative HQ at Thebarton, a move that sparked backlash from local residents who feared the decision would mean less funding for other community projects.

A West Torrens spokesperson said council had already committed $9.47m to upgrade the Thebarton Oval Precinct but then decided to increase that funding to $11.26m after entering into lease negotiations with the Adelaide Football Club.

The spokesperson added council initially assumed the funding would be included in the 2024/25 budget but instead the contribution “was recognised as at June 30, 2024”.

They said the investment would provide around $45m worth of community infrastructure both the football club and community could use.

“For many years the oval has been locked up and unavailable for our community. However, as a result of the overall investment in the Thebarton Oval Precinct, the oval will become available to our community for around 70 per cent of daylight hours,” they said.

A 2023 independent economic analysis estimated the precinct redevelopment was expected to generate approximately $981m in “economic output to greater Adelaide”, also benefiting local business, they said.

“This $100m project by the AFC will also enable council to generate additional rates and lease fees of more than $11m.

“Whilst council’s contribution has resulted in a budget deficit this year, council continues to remain financially sustainable and is forecasting a budget surplus of $4.738m in 24/25.”

The spokesperson ruled out a rates increase to fund the project and said the move meant council has cut $11.26m in capital expenditure from the 2024/25 financial year.

Other costs that exceeded council’s budget last financial year include an almost $3.5 overspend on contract and material expenses, which were “largely the result of end-of year adjustments for minor capital works being expensed rather than being capitalised as budgeted”, council documents said.

Documents also show community asset costs went over budget by more than $1m due to infrastructure depreciation.

This is the first deficit West Torrens Council will deliver in five years.

[Brodlach]

So really it’s a nothing, clickbait article

[mighty_tiger_79]

Feel for the locals, council rate increase incoming

[Brodlach]

Murray signs on to the end of 2028.

[Brodlach]

Feel for the locals, council rate increase incoming

I know you’re taking the piss but it just means 2024/2025 financial reports will be a huge surplus.

It’s all just paperwork and will end up being good for the area.

[am Bays]

Feel for the locals, council rate increase incoming

How does it explain my upcoming council rate increase in Marion then?

[mighty_tiger_79]

Feel for the locals, council rate increase incoming

How does it explain my upcoming council rate increase in Marion then?

Basketball stadium upgrade??

[DOC]

Murray signs on to the end of 2028.

Rate Murray. Think he is very reliable in the Nathan Basset mould.

[Booney]

Murray signs on to the end of 2028.

Rate Murray. Think he is very reliable in the Nathan Basset mould.

Good size at 195cm and is very good one on one, they've certainly found one of their key pillars in defence. Not sure about Butts though.

[MW]

If Butts is playing, we are in trouble

[Brodlach]

If Butts is playing, we are in trouble

I like big Butts, I cannot lie


He’s alright as the third tall.

[Brodlach]

Murray signs on to the end of 2028.

Rate Murray. Think he is very reliable in the Nathan Basset mould.

Good size at 195cm and is very good one on one, they've certainly found one of their key pillars in defence. Not sure about Butts though.

Picked him as a rookie the same year as we got McAsey. Levels it out

[MW]

If Butts is playing, we are in trouble

I like big Butts, I cannot lie


He’s alright as the third tall.

That's the problem - law of averages we will have an injury to one of our key backs along the way and he is then the 1st or 2nd tall...

[Brodlach]

If Butts is playing, we are in trouble

I like big Butts, I cannot lie


He’s alright as the third tall.

That's the problem - law of averages we will have an injury to one of our key backs along the way and he is then the 1st or 2nd tall...

Murray, Keane, Worrall, Butts, Borlace in order of tall backs

[Dutchy]

Big issue for the Crows, the old footy park is like concrete and they are very hesitant to train there, hence not using it this week.

Not ideal for elite sport.

[wenchbarwer]

Big issue for the Crows, the old footy park is like concrete and they are very hesitant to train there, hence not using it this week.

Not ideal for elite sport.

Is that a council issue? The old footy park was an amazing surface.

[Brodlach]

Using Richmond Oval and are looking at using it when they return from their break.


Richmond is so underutilized

[Dutchy]

Big issue for the Crows, the old footy park is like concrete and they are very hesitant to train there, hence not using it this week.

Not ideal for elite sport.

Is that a council issue? The old footy park was an amazing surface.

Yeah council, I believe it needs a full renovation so not much you can do, the soil is just too compacted from years without any major work. They are at least 2 years from Thebby so not sure what is going to happen.

[Booney]

Big issue for the Crows, the old footy park is like concrete and they are very hesitant to train there, hence not using it this week.

Not ideal for elite sport.

Is that a council issue? The old footy park was an amazing surface.

Yeah council, I believe it needs a full renovation so not much you can do, the soil is just too compacted from years without any major work. They are at least 2 years from Thebby so not sure what is going to happen.

At least. I'm still doing value management costings and I don't think they've yet signed the contract.

[Booney]

.