2026 Community Survey
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Have your say in Council's 2026 Community Survey from 6-25 October! You can complete the survey online or paper questionnaires are also available from the Naracoorte and Lucindale Council offices, Naracoorte Library and Lucindale Post Office. People who participate in the survey can enter a draw to win one of five $100 gift cards! The survey has been commissioned by Council and is being independently conducted by Further Insight. Click on the Your Say button on our home page for more information.

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Review of Council's Representation Structure

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10 February 2025

Review of Council's Representation Structure

Naracoorte Lucindale Council wants to retain its current representation structure that has been in place for many years with a Mayor, 10 Councillors and no wards.

Council began the legislated review of its representation structure in October 2024 and it subsequently resolved at its January 2025 monthly meeting that the current structure should stay the same.

As part of the review process, members of the community are now invited to provide feedback until 3 March by commenting:

Council is proposing that:

  • The future elected body of Council continue to comprise the Mayor and 10 Councillors.
  • The Council area not be divided into wards (that is, the existing ‘no ward’ structure be retained).

The Council area has not been divided into wards since 2003; and the composition of Council with a Mayor and 10 Councillors has been the same since 1998.

Currently, 35 of the 49 regional councils in South Australia have no wards. Council believes that the retention of the ‘no ward’ structure “avoids potential impacts upon, and the division of, the existing communities of interest within the Council area and, as such, should serve to continue to foster a sense of unity within the local community”.

Council is also confident that the current composition of a Mayor and 10 Councillors is “sufficient to continue to adequately manage the affairs of Council; provide an appropriate level of elector representation; maintain an appropriate diversity in the skill set, experience and expertise amongst the elected members; and present adequate lines of communication between the community and Council”.

The Local Government Act 1999 requires that Council must conduct a representation review at least every 8 years to determine whether the community would benefit from an alteration to Council’s current structure.

While the Council is proposing no changes to the current structure, a final decision will not be made until community consultation is undertaken, and any feedback received is considered.

Community members can read the Representation Report that has been prepared for the latest representation review online at http://yoursay.naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au.

Printed copies of the report are also available from the Naracoorte and Lucindale Council offices.

Media spokespeople:

Mayor Patrick Ross - email patrick.ross@nlc.sa.gov.au, phone 0427 658 049

Trevor Smart, CEO - email trevor.smart@nlc.sa.gov.au, phone 87601100

General Media Enquiries:

Uana Jericho, Community Engagement Officer - email uana.jericho@nlc.sa.gov.au, phone 87601100