Sandy Verschoor: We need to seriously consider expanding Adelaide City Council boundaries

Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor says it’s time to shake up the status quo when it comes to council boundaries.

Artist's impression of Commercial & General plan to redevelop the former Le Cornu site at 88 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide. Picture: Supplied by Adelaide City Council

It’s time to push the boundaries.

In response to Caleb Bond’s opinion piece in The Advertiser yesterday, I agree it is time we took a serious look at council boundaries across South Australia.

A total of 68 councils for a population of 1.7 million is not only confusing for the public, it’s also an inefficient use of ratepayers’ money and resources.

If the events of the past 12 months have taught us anything, it’s that we need to do things differently. We need to be creative with how we plan and deliver services for, and on behalf of, our community.

We need to shake up the status quo and be brave in our decision making.

Despite some of Caleb’s wild claims, the City of Adelaide has been, and continues to take, a well-measured and rational approach to our finances. We have been open and transparent about our financial position and the impact that COVID-19 has had on our bottom line.

As a capital-city council, our assets need to be working harder for us, given almost half of our revenue comes from our own commercial operations.

We have taken a deep dive into our asset base, undertaking a strategic property review during the past few years.

We are well within our prudential limit for borrowing, and we need to ensure we are getting maximum return on our investments.

We took the bold step of establishing a future fund as part of our new treasury policy.

This means that, if we sell a property, the money can’t be used on a project or the council’s operations – it must be used to buy new revenue-generating property or assets. Reviewing our assets is a clear example of this council’s good financial management.

It makes sense to consider taking to market some underperforming properties. After all, why hold on to investment properties if you’re not getting commercial return?

At the same time, we are delivering huge projects that will shape our city for generations to come, in partnership with the private sector.

The property at 80 O’Connell Street is a perfect example of this council’s responsible, bold decision making.

For 30 years, this prime land sat dormant after Le Cornu closed.

We have got on with the job and ensured we finally get progress and benefit for the community on that site. And it will pay off.

Our partnership with Commercial & General for a $250m residential, retail and commercial development is incredibly exciting and will be a catalyst for economic growth in North Adelaide and South Australia as well as generating rate revenue for decades to come.

As the capital-city council, we have more than 315,000 daily visitors coming into the city but only 25,000 residents. Unlike other councils, we deliver projects, services and facilities for the use and enjoyment of the whole state.

Take the Adelaide Park-lands for example. Adelaide City Council invests $25m annually into the maintenance and rejuvenation of the Parklands.

We are the custodian and caretaker for all South Australians, including inner-rim residents who reap the rewards of a green belt on their doorstep.

The same could be said for the Adelaide Aquatic Centre.

Though fewer than 10 per cent of our residents use it, the ACC maintains it as a regional facility for all metropolitan Adelaide.

By amalgamating councils, efficiencies and savings could be generated by removing duplication and streamlining everything we do.

This would allow money to be redirected into new services and jobs for greater community benefit.

So yes, Caleb, I agree.

We need to seriously consider reviewing council boundaries across the state, including expanding the ACC’s boundaries to take in surrounding suburbs, similar to Melbourne and Brisbane.

It’s the right time to expand our thinking and our council boundaries.

* This is the personal view of Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor and not official council policy.