In conformity with a trend across Australia (except in Western Australia), South Australia’s Brown and Olsen Liberal Governments pressed in the late 1990s for the amalgamation of council districts, chiefly on the grounds of efficiency of service delivery and economies of scale. They succeeded in reducing the number of districts in South Australia from 118 to 68, and this included the amalgamation in 1997 of four Hills councils – Gumeracha, East Torrens, Onkaparinga and Stirling – to form the Adelaide Hills Council.
The State Government allowed for consultation with ratepayers. Non-binding plebiscites were held in each district, and then the four councils voted to amalgamate. There was controversy in Gumeracha as their poll revealed strong opposition to amalgamation, but the Mayor, Milton Checker, used his casting vote to override local feeling.
The formal merger took place on 1 July 1997. The first Mayor of the new Adelaide Hills Council was Anita Aspinall, previously Mayor of Stirling. For the time being, the old council districts constituted wards within the new district (with Stirling divided into two because of its large population).
Sources: Joshua McDonnell, ‘Political Alienation and Council Amalgamations: The Effect of Municipality Size on Levels of Political Efficacy and Political Participation’ (unpublished PhD thesis, University of Western Australia, 2021); Courier 5 March 1997.
If you have recollections, knowledge or further information that you would like to share about the people, places or events described here, then please contact us at mldhs@mtloftyhistoricalsociety.org.au
You must be logged in to post a comment.