What South Australian councillors told us

Candidate Ready News

What South Australian councillors told us

Sunday, 8 November 2026

South Australia’s mayors and councillors are worried about the financial future of local government. They want savings found before rates go up, and many say they aren’t given the financial training they need.

Candidate Ready’s Local Government Priorities Survey was sent to all 645 serving elected members of South Australian councils with published contact details. 115 responded (18%) from 54 councils between 13 October and 2 November 2026. Individual responses are confidential; only aggregated results are published.

115elected members from 54 councils

85%concerned about the financial sustainability of SA local government

79%confident their council delivers good value for money

0would primarily raise rates to close a budget gap

Rates and budgets

Councillors say ratepayers shouldn’t be the first port of call when budgets are tight.

69%say limiting rate increases is extremely or very important when setting budgets

45%would look for other savings before cutting services or raising rates

If savings were needed, where should councils look first?

Councillors could choose up to three

Consultancy and professional services

61%

Capital projects

42%

Services considered lower priority

42%

Administrative expenditure

32%

Staffing costs

29%

Events and promotional activities

24%

Procurement and contracting

17%

Community programs and grants

What should get priority when deciding whether to fund an activity?

Councillors could choose up to three

Economic or community benefit

53%

Long-term financial sustainability

50%

Alignment with the council’s strategic plans

46%

Cost to ratepayers

45%

Community demand

38%

Skills and oversight

Most councillors feel confident reading their council’s finances, but few say they get enough support.

Do councillors receive enough financial information, advice and training to oversee council spending?

27%

45%

27%

Yes 27%Mostly 45%No 27%Unsure 1%

90%feel confident scrutinising their council’s budget and financial plans

64%say elected members have significant influence over their council’s finances

73%say their council reviews services effectively

When finances deteriorate

If a council’s finances kept getting worse, which measures should be considered?

Councillors could choose all that apply

Efficiency or shared services with neighbouring councils

77%

Further expenditure reductions

62%

Independent financial review or intervention

50%

Increased State Government assistance

46%

Increased Federal Government assistance

45%

Service reductions

40%

Rate increases

39%

Asset sales

39%

Structural reform or amalgamation

36%

And in relation to the CEO?

Review the council’s financial strategy

72%

Consider replacing the CEO

25%

In their own words

Asked for the single biggest financial or governance challenge facing their council, councillors most often named pressures from outside the council’s control.

Biggest challenge: most common themes

Share of 96 written answers mentioning each theme; an answer can mention more than one

Cost shifting, funding and legislative burden from State and Federal governments

33%

Ageing assets, roads, coastal and other infrastructure

28%

Rate affordability and a narrow rate base

21%

Population growth or decline

14%

Governance, chamber culture and capability

12%

Rising costs and inflation

12%

In my 20 years as councillor and mayor most candidates don’t have any idea what they are getting into.

The message should appeal to those people who “should be a Councillor” not those that want to be one.

Ready to make a difference?

Nominations for the 2027 South Australian council elections open on 26 January 2027. Candidate Ready is a free training program for people who want lower rates, less waste and more accountability.

Source: Candidate Ready, Local Government Priorities Survey, 13 October to 2 November 2026. 115 South Australian elected members responded from 54 councils. Responses are self-selected and may not represent all elected members. Percentages are of those who answered each question and may not add to 100 due to rounding. Written answers were coded by theme; quotes are anonymous.