Local Government leaders have gathered for the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) to vote on key policy matters for 2025.
Around 220 mayors, councillors and senior council staff attended the AGM, which was held 22 November 2024 at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide.
LGASA CEO, Clinton Jury, said that the organisation is proud to support councils as they build stronger and more vibrant communities across the state and outlined some of the key issues of ongoing focus.
“Councils are always looking to empower and support their communities, and achieve strong outcomes for ratepayers,” Mr Jury said.
“As the tier of government that’s closest to communities, there are a diversity of services and priorities councils deliver and our work reflects that diversity.
“Addressing challenges in housing, planning, roads and infrastructure, and financial sustainability are a top priority for us, particularly when considering ongoing cost of living pressures.
“The decisions made at the AGM will go into our business plan, and we’ll work with partners and government to deliver better outcomes for South Australian communities.”
Results from AGM motions
As councils seek to drive better liveability in their communities, members voted favourably to support several items:
- Advocacy to the State Planning Commissioner and Plan SA to make changes to single garage and carport sizes in residential developments, alongside several other recommendations
- Lobbying to federal and state government to fund and deliver the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass to remove heavy road freight off the South Eastern Freeway and off suburban streets
- Advocacy to the Federal Government to reform taxation policies which impact housing, and for investment and incentives to assist in development of more affordable and accessible housing
- Endorsing the sector’s position that council elections should be held in a different year to the state election
- Development of sector framework for the use of AI tools across local government to guide ethical, efficient and beneficial use
- Advocacy to the State Government for appropriate enabling infrastructure planning to enable housing development
- Continued engagement and advocacy on financial sustainability by LGASA
Achievements for members
Over the 2023-24 financial year LGASA has delivered:
- $43.5 million in savings to members through mutual schemes
- More than 60 new resources on governance and local government reforms
- Policy and advocacy achievements across housing, planning, financial sustainability, local nuisance and litter control, infrastructure, dog and cat management, native vegetation, urban greening and more
- $2 million in annual funding through Local Government Research and Development Scheme
- $5.2 million in savings for members through procurement panel contracts
- 275 training courses delivered to over 3,400 local government staff
