The council’s Annual Business Plan and Budget 2026–27 has been adopted. What does that mean for the community?
The City of Onkaparinga’s elected members have adopted a $265 million budget for the 2026 –27 financial year centred on delivering the services and facilities that the community uses and relies upon every day.
Road and footpath maintenance, waste collection, libraries and community facilities operation are just some of the priorities with allocations including:
- $44.36 million to maintain 1,521kms of roads, 1,322km of paths, 22,571 streetlights, 249 bridges and 286 car parks
- $26.78 million to provide waste and recycling services
- $24.40 million to maintain 497 parks, 250 playgrounds, 4 dog parks, 14 fitness parks and 31km of coastline
- $38.25 million to deliver libraries and community services
- $23.55 million to upgrade and maintain community buildings, including sporting clubs and facilities.
Mayor Moira Were said the budget is focused on making responsible decisions about the services and places the community relies on today while protecting them for future generations.
“Every budget involves choices, and our responsibility is to invest where it delivers the greatest benefit to our community,” she said.
“This budget prioritises maintaining the roads we travel on, the parks where families gather, the facilities where people connect, and the services that help make Onkaparinga a great place to live.”
Significant projects in 2026 –27 budget also include:
- opening of the refurbished Noarlunga Aquatic Centre
- renewing and replacing 5 playgrounds
- upgrading the Moana Surf Life Saving Club
- renewing 3 major tennis and netball hardcourts in O’Halloran Hill, Clarendon and Old Noarlunga.
Aligned to the rate of inflation and increasing costs, Onkaparinga’s councillors adopted a 4.9 per cent rate increase in line with Adelaide’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2026. Calculated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), “CPI is regarded as Australia’s key measure of inflation”, abs.gov.au.
For more than 90 per cent of Onkaparinga’s residential ratepayers, the 4.9 per cent increase will equate to less than $150. While it’s never easy to raise rates, the council’s decisions are guided by long-term planning, data that provides evidence of community need, and by feedback from residents about the things that matter most to them.
For more information visit Annual Business Plan and Budget.
See also: Onkaparinga budget focused on everyday services