Adelaide Coastal Councils Network
The Adelaide Coastal Councils Network (ACCN) is the collective voice for seven Adelaide metropolitan coastal councils. These councils work in partnership with LGA South Australia on coastal planning and management.
The network is committed to the proactive, contemporary and sustainable management of Adelaide’s metropolitan coastline. A dedicated Executive Officer within LGA helps drive advocacy and engagement with state and federal government.
Guided by our strategic plan, the network’s key roles are advocacy, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Our strategic plan
The ACCN Strategic Plan 2024 to 2026 (PDF 3.3 MB) outlines the network's purpose and priorities as identified by the members.
The network's strategic priorities for 2024 to 2026 are:
- Climate ready – member councils have the evidence, skills, resources, and capability to adapt to coastal change.
- Resilient and sustainable coastal infrastructure and built environments – coastal infrastructure and built environments are climate resilient and sustainable, over the long term.
- Flourishing catchment and coastal ecosystems – catchment and coastal ecosystems are ecologically healthy, and resilient to a changing climate and future conditions.
- Thriving coastal communities – Adelaide’s coastal communities thrive into the future.
The partnership
The ACCN is a partnership between LGA South Australia and seven Adelaide metropolitan councils:
Funding arrangements
The ACCN received initial funding from:
- LGA South Australia’s Greater Adelaide Regional Organisation of Councils (GAROC)
- the Local Government Research and Development Scheme
- Green Adelaide.
Ongoing funding is now provided by the seven member councils with in-kind hosting and support from LGA.
Committee members
The ACCN is governed by a Committee and Executive Committee.
The Committee is made up of:
- two delegates from each member council – a Councillor and a Technical Officer
- a representative from the LGA Board of Directors
- the ACCN Executive Officer, who's responsible for day-to-day administration of the network.
These arrangements are set out in the ACCN terms of reference (PDF 607.6 KB).
This committee is lead by the member councils with support from LGA.
LGA is represented on the committee by:
- Mayor Moira Were, City of Onkaparinga (LGA Board of Directors representative)
- Nina Keath, ACCN Executive Officer.
Member | Councillor delegate | Technical Officer delegate |
|---|---|---|
City of Charles Sturt | Cr Kenzie van den Nieuwelaar | Kelly Mader |
City of Holdfast Bay | Cr John Smedley | Alex Gaut |
City of Marion | Cr Sarah Luscombe | Rebecca Neumann |
City of Onkaparinga | Cr Geoff Eaton | Tanya Roe |
City of Port Adelaide Enfield | Cr Peter McGregor | Ann Gibbons |
City of Salisbury | Cr Sharon McKell | Elizabeth (Beth) MacGillivray |
City of West Torrens | Cr Sara Comrie | Nicky O'Broin |
Office | Delegate | Term |
|---|---|---|
Chair | Cr John Smedley – City of Holdfast Bay (Interim Chair) | 7 April 2025 to 5 April 2027 |
Deputy Chair | Currently vacant | 7 April 2025 to 5 April 2027 |
Ordinary Member | Mayor Moira Were – City of Onkaparinga | 5 Dec 2024 to 3 Dec 2026 |
Meeting dates
Below are the 2026 meeting dates for the Committee and Executive Committee, and Technical Officer meetings. Meetings are usually held at Local Government House, 148 Frome Street Adelaide and via Microsoft Teams.
Thursday 29 January 2026:
- 10:30am to 12:30pm (Committee)
- 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Executive Committee)
Thursday 23 April 2026:
- 10:30am to 12:30pm (Committee)
- 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Executive Committee)
Thursday 16 July 2026:
- 10:30am to 12:30pm (Committee)
- 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Executive Committee)
Thursday 8 October 2026:
- 10:30am to 12:30pm (Committee)
- 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Executive Committee)
- Thursday 12 March 2026, 10:30am to 12:30pm
- Thursday 4 June 2026, 10:30am to 12:30pm
- Wednesday 26 August 2026, 10:30am to 12:30pm
- Thursday 19 November 2026, 10:30am to 12:30pm
History of the network
The Metropolitan Seaside Councils Committee (MSCC) represented Adelaide seaside councils in relation to coastal management for more than 50 years. It drove strategic outcomes such as the creation of the Coast Protection Act 1972 and the Coast Protection Board, as well as supporting local government in managing coastal issues.
Since 2003, the MSCC underwent several reforms in response to the changing coastal context and the needs of the member councils.
In December 2021, an independent review of the MSCC’s governance recommended a new model with a tiered governance structure, including a formal role for the LGA, and engaging a dedicated Executive Officer, hosted by the LGA.
In October 2022, the MSCC transformed into the Adelaide Coastal Councils Network, a formal partnership between LGA and seven Adelaide metropolitan coastal councils with a focus on deliverables.
Coastal resources and partners
Coastal resources and the key partners we're working with to protect SA's coastal regions.
Key partners
- SA Climate Ready Coasts program
- Australian Coastal Councils Association
- South Australian Coastal Councils Alliance
Reports and submissions
- Coast Protection Board Policy (PDF 4.6 MB) – October 2022
- Inquiry into the Coast Protection Board and Coastal Legislation (PDF 1.5 MB) – October 2021
- LGA response to inquiry into the Coast Protection Board and Coastal Legislation (PDF 413.2 KB) – March 2021
- IPCC fact sheet for Australasia – sixth assessment report (PDF 525 KB)
Websites
- Adelaide University Sustainable Marine and Coastal Futures
- CSIRO Sea Level, Waves and Coastal Extremes
- United Nations Climate Change
- CoastAdapt
Find out more
For more information, please contact:
Nina Keath, ACCN Executive Officer
Phone: (08) 8224 2096
Email: nina.keath@lga.sa.gov.au