InDaily - Councils in Financial Strife

InDaily have published an article by Helen Karakulak titled Wake up call’ for six new councils in financial strife.

Helen writes that:

Berri Barmera, Ceduna, Coober Pedy, Peterborough, Kangaroo Island and Southern Mallee District councils are all in financial strife, ranked as “unsustainable” by the Essential Services Commission.

Helen noted ESCOSA's advice:

The commission found trends across financially troubled councils over the four years, including historically underfunding asset renewals and some councils having an over-reliance on increasing rates above the forecasted inflation rate.

The article quotes LGA South Australia President Heather Holmes-Ross

Particularly in regional areas, many councils are navigating acute sustainability challenges driven by small rate bases, high infrastructure responsibilities, limited revenue growth and unanticipated natural disasters like fires, floods and drought.

ESCOSA released their fourth tranche of Local Goverment Advice in February 2026. The City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters was included in this advice.