The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) has commenced a new research project to better understand the social and economic value of community centres.
South Australian councils will receive a survey in the coming month, asking for information about the range of services, programs and supports of community and neighbourhood centres. This research will cover council-owned and non-council owned centres.
The final report will present findings on key impact areas including community participation, wellbeing benefits, literacy and numeracy benefits, volunteer contributions, digital inclusion and IT support services and their role in delivering government and community priorities.
The findings will provide an evidence-base to guide future policy, funding decisions, advocacy and future planning across the sector.
This work is being delivered in partnership with Community Centres SA, the peak body for community centres and neighbourhood houses in the state.
Why LGASA is taking action
Members supported a motion from City of Onkaparinga in May 2025, asking LGASA to undertake research into community centres to bolster any future advocacy efforts seeking additional funding.
South Australia remains the only state where half of all community centres receive no baseline funding from government, relying instead on local councils, not-for profit and volunteers to fill the gap.
Currently, the Department of Human Services’ Community and Neighbourhood Development Program provide ongoing funding to 70 community centres, with roughly another 70 centres across the state not funded through that program.
Other states and territories have recognised the social and economic return of community centres and provide universal baseline funding. South Australia’s model has fallen behind and is unable to keep pace with growing community need.
The outcomes of this research will inform a key part of an LGASA advocacy campaign seeking fair, baseline funding for all community centres in SA.
Importance of community centres
Community centres are deeply embedded in South Australian communities and work closely with the most vulnerable people in society.
Like libraries, they:
- Assist thousands of people every year
- Support 4,500+ community groups
- Provide opportunities for 4,000+ volunteers
- Run over 3,000 programs and activities weekly
Being at the front line, community centres see real-time increases in need from residents when it comes to rising costs of living, housing shortages, the impacts of climate change and mental health challenges.
They offer crucial support, contributing to community belonging, resilience and wellbeing – particularly in areas with entrenched and intergenerational disadvantage.
Community centres are also vehicles for a range of state government priorities, across various agencies, including the Department of Human Services, Department for Education and Preventive Health SA.
