Former Adelaide deputy lord mayor David Plumridge has died aged 91

An outspoken but “gentlemanly” former deputy lord mayor of Adelaide has lost his battle with illness, with family and friends remembering a decorated career in government.

David Plumridge during his time as the mayor of Salisbury, in council chambers wearing mayoral regalia robes.

A former deputy lord mayor of Adelaide has been remembered as a “giant among councillors” and ardent defender of the parklands after his death aged 91.

David Plumridge AM served as city councillor for two terms between 2007 and 2014, acting as deputy lord mayor from 2010 to 2012.

He was remembered by colleagues as a “powerhouse” who fought to preserve the parklands, protect heritage buildings, and promote efficient governance.

David Plumridge during his election campaign to win a seat on the Adelaide City Council. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

His daughter Wendy Hollands, 62, told The Advertiser that her father passed away after a decade-long battle with illness.

“He will be remembered as a very strong man,” Mrs Hollands said.

“He was a very good family man and was very good at keeping my sister and I at bay.”

A former architect, Mr Plumridge’s career through local government included eight years as Salisbury mayor, and president of both the state and national Local Government Association.

For his work in government, he received the Order of Australia in 1993.

Former Adelaide deputy lord mayor David Plumridge outside Adelaide Oval before its upgrade. Picture: Noelle Bobrige

Australian Local Government Association president David Plumridge (right) with former PM Paul Keating in 1995, signing an accord between local and federal governments. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith led tributes, calling him “a truly honourable and thoroughly good man”.

“During his time in Adelaide, he was a consummate negotiator and staunch supporter of good governance and conservation,” Ms Lomax-Smith said.

Veteran former Adelaide councillor Anne Moran, who served 22 years on council, said while she and Mr Plumridge sometimes clashed, he was “a giant among local councillors”.

“He really understood that it was about grassroots issues – rates, roads and rubbish,” Mrs Moran said.

“I didn’t always agree with David, but I quickly found out he was someone to be seriously listened to, and you had to admire his competence and passion for local government.

“He was always polite, strong in his opinions, but he never lost his temper.”

Notably, Mr Plumridge fought attempts by the state government to wrest control of parklands around Adelaide Oval during its redevelopment, as well as other encroachments on public land.

Former Adelaide Parklands Association president Ian Gilfillan said he demonstrated “a degree of expertise rare in the general population about the importance of the parklands on our quality of life”.

Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM remembered him as “a very self-assured, yet humble man, who always had energy and commitment to the City of Salisbury”.

Mr Plumridge is survived by his wife Gladys, and daughters Wendy and Deanne.