Liberal MP Steve Murray announces in parliament he is launching new council area called ‘Glenthorne’

A Liberal backbencher has had it with these council rates in these southern plains. He wants to break off from Onkaparinga and make an entirely new council area.

A Liberal backbencher has announced he is launching a new local council area in his electorate, promising residents lower rates and an outdoors lifestyle.

Steve Murray, member for the southern suburbs electorate of Davenport, said the new council would be called Glenthorne and would comprise 55,000 residents.

Glenthorne would geographically encompass parts of the existing Marion and Onkaparinga council areas.

In a speech to parliament this week, Mr Murray said the new council would be “focused on parks and lifestyle, sweeping from the Hills down to Hallett Cove”.

“It will have … sensible rate structures and be responsive and locally accountable,” he said.

Mr Murray, who has described Onkaparinga Council as an “unmitigated disaster”, said his community “deserves ­better”.

Onkaparinga Council, which according to MP Steve Murray is an “unmitigated disaster”.

“The volunteers at my sporting clubs deserve better,” he said.

“The vast majority of the people on the council are great. That is why, notwithstanding that, it is time to replace the landlord.”

Mr Murray outlined a number of issues with the council, which was formed when three municipalities amalgamated in 1997.

Mr Murray raised several issues with the existing council and proposed a new one called Glenthorne. Picture: AAP / Kelly Barnes

He said grassroots sporting clubs were “actively prevented” by council from applying for state government grants, and rate increases since the council was established have been “over double the rate of inflation”.

Asked about the new council in question time on Wednesday, Planning and Local Government Minister Vickie Chapman said members of parliament were “most welcome” to canvas changes to council boundaries.

She said applications for boundary changes were submitted to the SA Local Government Grants Commission.

Following an initial assessment, the commission may decide to proceed with an investigation before a recommendation is made to the minister.

Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said her council had not been made aware of ­Glenthorne.

“Glenthorne council has never been raised with us by our community or the Member for Davenport,” she said.

“What hasn’t been considered in the presentation of this concept is the significant costs involved, which would be borne by SA taxpayers and our ratepayers.”

Ms Thompson said Mr Murray had made false claims about the council’s rates, and said sporting clubs were encouraged to work with the council when applying for funding.

Opposition local government spokeswoman Emily Bourke said a new council would place further financial pressure on an “already struggling” sector.

“While the community calls for less councils, Steve Murray wants to create more, which will cost ratepayers more,” she said.

“This appears to be a half-baked plan that will likely add another layer of red tape bureaucracy and cost to ratepayers in the south.”