The direction of Light Regional Council’s 10-year draft strategic plan hangs in the balance due to the state government’s proposed Country Health Care plan.
The council believes that if Kapunda health services are downgraded, many council forecasts will not be met.
According to Brian Carr, the council’s chief executive officer, the health care plan defies all logic.
Mr Carr said the council has shown a conservative predicted financial growth.
“We are in line with the state government’s strategic plan and population growth projections,” the chief executive said.
Mr Carr explained the recently announced community health care policy is at cross purposes with the growth strategy being pursued by the council.
The council’s elected members recently voted for the council to prepare a case against the State Government in relation to the downgrading of the Kapunda Hospital.
Their submission will include facts about the current service, and anticipated adverse impacts including health economic and commerce and community sustainability.
The council’s draft of the strategic plans 2008-18 was made available to the community for comment from last week.
It focuses strongly on population and growth from its residential towns with 1000 new allotments envisaged.
The strategic plan also addresses the backlog of infrastructure with an additional $10million to address this through use of loans, rate and re-orientation of priorities.
Towns like Freeling and Hewett will generate growth with the approval of new residential allotments and planning approval for childcare centres.
Kapunda is predicted to grow with 400 new residential allotments predicted in 2010, north-west of the town and adjacent to Gundry’s Hill.
Also, following a proposal in 2007, 160 detached independent living units are being considered to be located near the Kapunda Hospital.
Industrial work will include a portion of land east of the Sturt Highway which has been highlighted for consideration of its future development.
The land borders north of the Para River.
The strategic plan is available for public inspection with the council urging the public and businesses owners to have their say on the council’s next 10 years.
Copies of the plan are available at the Kapunda and Freeling offices, and written submissions regarding the draft will be accepted by the council until 5pm, July 23.