On 20 December 2024 the Final Representation Review report was submitted to the Electoral Commissioner of South Australia.

Certification was received by the Electoral Commissioner on 25 February 2025 confirming all matters of Section 12 of the Local Government Act 1999 had been satisfied.

A Gazette Notice was published on 27 March 2025 noting the changes to council’s ward boundaries which will take effect at the next Local Government Elections scheduled for November 2026.

The certification letter and associated documents can be download and viewed via the following links:

• Certification letter.
• Final Representation Review Report.
• Appendices to final report.
• Extract South Australian Government Gazette No 18, page 542, 27 March 2025.

Council resolved at it’s meeting of Tuesday 10 December to adopt the draft Final Representation Review Report for submission to the South Australian Electoral Commissioner.

The report is being finalised and a letter prepared for the submission.

Further updates will be provided when received by the South Australian Electoral Commissioner.

A copy of the agenda and minutes from Tuesday’s Council meeting 10 December 2024 are available here.

Community Feedback on the draft Representation Review Report and proposed ward boundary realignment

A recent survey gathered feedback from electors regarding the review of Councils composition and structure.

The survey included a draft Representation Review Report and a map detailing the proposed realignment of ward boundaries, for comment.

Thirty two submissions were made through the Your Say Onkaparinga page and one submission was received via email. In total, twenty four (75%) of submissions were in support of the proposed structure and composition.

Of the sixteen participants, that provided feedback, eleven supported the structure and composition as proposed. One supported some elements however proposed changes.

Four participants did not support the structure and composition,

Here’s a summary of their views:

• Inclusion of the suburb of O’Halloran Hill in Pimpala Ward (not Thalassa as proposed).
• Concern that the suburbs of O’Halloran Hill and Darlington will be forgotten about being on the outer edge of Thalassa Ward.
• Council should not be divided into wards. Without wards, voters are not restricted in supporting their preferred Councillor.
• As suburbs grow it is essential to change ward boundaries to represent fairly.

Of the sixteen participants that did not leave feedback, thirteen were in favour of the proposed composition and structure, two had nothing to say and one did not like the proposed composition and structure.

Council will consider the feedback received and the draft Representation Review Report at the Council meeting on 10 December 2024.

To view the Council meeting agendas and minutes visit City of Onkaparinga (onkaparingacity.com)

Ward boundary changes to take effect next election

Certification was received by the Electoral Commissioner on 25 February 2025 confirming all matters of Section 12 of the Local Government Act 1999 had been satisfied.

A Gazette Notice was published on 27 March 2025 noting the changes to council’s ward boundaries which will take effect at the next Local Government Elections scheduled for November 2026.

The structure and composition to take effect at the next Local Government Elections scheduled for November 2026:

• A Mayor elected by electors from the whole Council area.
• The Council area is divided into six (6) wards, as shown in the final Representation Review Report.
• The future elected body of Council comprise twelve (12) ward councillors, with two councillors representing each ward.
• The realignment of ward boundaries for all wards.
  • Aldinga: currently split across South Coast and Southern Vales under the existing structure, is to be included, in full in the South Coast Ward.
  • O’Halloran Hill and Darlington: currently in the Pimpala Ward under the existing structure, are to be included in Thalassa Ward.
  • Reynella: currently in the Mid Coast Ward in the existing structure, is to be moved to Knox Ward.
  • Old Reynella: currently in Knox Ward will be moved to Pimpala Ward.

The current structure and composition being:

• A mayor elected by electors from the whole Council area.
• Six (6) wards.
• 12 ward Councillors, two (2) elected from each ward.