New report highlights community centres' vital impact

Published on 13 October 2026

Community and neighbourhood centres are helping South Australians foster social connectedness through millions of visitations each year, supporting the statewide push to tackle loneliness and improve wellbeing.

A newly released Social and Economic Impact of the Community and Neighbourhood Centres in South Australia Study – commissioned by LGA South Australia and prompted by a 2025 City of Onkaparinga motion – found local centres deliver almost $100 million of value every year through volunteer hours, facilities hire, childcare support, food relief, and reduce isolation by bringing people together.

It also highlighted that every $1 invested in community centres delivers more than 2.5 times the return in local communities.

The study showed:

• community centres across South Australia welcome 2.57 million visitations every year
• 3,831 volunteers provide 535,476 hours annually, contributing a service to community valued at $31.1 million
• centres are inclusive places for all people, supporting those on low incomes (46 per cent), people from different cultural backgrounds (27 per cent), people with disability (12 per cent) and recent refugees (11 per cent).

The study also found community and neighbourhood centres contribute strongly to preventative health, reducing the need to refer people to higher-cost health and human services, such as public hospitals.

The research comes amid growing national attention on the impacts of loneliness and social isolation, with increasing recognition of the importance of social connection, strong local networks and accessible community support in improving wellbeing and helping people navigate cost-of-living pressures.

LGA President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross, said the research places a real dollar figure on the value community and neighbourhood centres deliver for South Australians, and the return on investment is significant.

“Community and neighbourhood centres play an essential role within communities to help reduce isolation and tackle loneliness, teach new skills, support disadvantaged groups and ease financial stress," Mayor Holmes-Ross said.

"Underpinned by thousands of dedicated volunteers, along with committed staff and local organisations, the independent study highlights how centres do far more than host activities.

"For many South Australians doing it tough through cost-of-living pressures, community and neighbourhood centres are one of the first places they turn to for help, and to be treated with dignity, compassion and without judgement.”

Human Services Minister Katrine Hildyard said community and neighbourhood centres are at the heart of local communities, providing places where people can connect, feel supported and know they are not alone. 

“This research shows the enormous value these centres deliver right across South Australia, with millions of visits each year and thousands of volunteers giving their time to support others,” Minister Hildyard said.

“We know loneliness and social isolation can have a significant impact on people’s wellbeing, which is why creating opportunities for people to locally connect with others and feel a sense of belonging to a community family is so important.

“Whether it is through a shared meal, learning a new skill, accessing support or simply having somewhere welcoming to go, community centres can make a real difference in people’s lives.

“The South Australian Government is proud to support community centres to support and empower others with the Department for Human Services contributing around $6 million each year to community and neighbourhood centres across the state.

“This investment helps strengthen the local networks that help people stay connected, build confidence and access help they may need locally and early – before challenges become more complex.

“I thank every community centre worker and volunteer at the heart of community for all that they do with compassion and commitment to include people and walk alongside them.”

The research, which was supported by key project partner Community Centres SA, gathered evidence through a sector-wide survey of council-run and independent community and neighbourhood centres across the state, as well as individual case studies.

The report also outlined the important role councils play alongside independent providers, with around 45 per cent of all centres in South Australia managed by local government.

Community and neighbourhood centres surveyed receive around $15.8 million annually from various sectors, with the Department for Human Services contributing $6 million and the remaining funding coming from councils, other state agencies and Commonwealth programs.

Community Centres SA Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Cox said while the study focuses on placing a dollar value on the offering of community centres, the real gain is in community capacity and cohesion. 

“Community centres provide the mechanism for community members to come together, share passions and talents, strengths and skills, to grow and connect with others,” Ms Cox said.

"Investing in community and neighbourhood centres is an investment in local communities. Every community centre is different, reflecting the community around it.

“Through this report it is demonstrated that communities that come together through community centres grow resilience and connection and are better placed to address local need.

“This updated research shows the returns that are reflected in communities, including improved health and wellbeing outcomes, increased volunteering and greater social inclusion all across South Australia.”

City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were said behind every finding in the report are people.

“There are skilled and dedicated staff and volunteers who listen, respond and bring communities together,” Mayor Were said.

“There are volunteers who generously give their time and knowledge. There are community members who participate, contribute, lead and support one another.

“Community centres are often described as the heart of community, but the real rhythm and life come from the people who make it beat. To everyone working in and alongside our community and neighbourhood centres, thank you. Your work makes an enduring difference to people’s lives.”

You can read download the full report here and the LGA's summary report here. Find out more about Onkaparinga's community centres near you at the council's website.