Strategic Plan
Over the past year, LGA has undergone a process to create a new Strategic Plan 2025-2030 to guide our future direction and priorities.
Through surveys, workshops and written submissions, members have had the opportunity to provide feedback on what they value most from LGA and where the organisation can better support councils.
This feedback has been used to shape a new Strategic Plan which was recently tabled with LGA's Board.
Building on the progress made since 2021, the new plan aims to position LGA as a modern, effective and forward-looking peak body that delivers meaningful outcomes and long-term value for South Australia's 68 councils.
On this page, you’ll find highlights of some of the feedback themes and an engagement summary on what we heard.
One of the changes you will notice in this plan is the way activities are presented. Each strategic pillar now includes a clear set of ‘pillar strategies’, grouping related activity areas together. This structure aims to make the plan easier to navigate and read.
What we heard
From August 2024 to September 2025, LGA South Australia has invited members to have their say and provide feedback to inform the development of a new Strategic Plan.
We asked members to tell us about:
- our performance
- opportunities and challenges
- strategic priorities.
More than 70 pieces of individual feedback was received, either as comprehensive council-endorsed submissions or as individual survey responses. Input was also received via webinars and workshops.
Submissions provided a range of feedback on LGA’s role, priorities and service delivery, with many members calling for a stronger focus on core functions such as advocacy, governance support and training.
Feedback also highlighted the need for clearer engagement and accountability, improved workforce and financial sustainability support, greater collaboration and opt-in shared service models, expanded procurement opportunities, and stronger leadership in digital transformation, climate resilience and building the sector’s reputation.
Download the member engagement summary.
Some of the main topics of feedback to improve LGA’s services and support included:
- Importance of core member services – advocacy, governance and training.
- Provide clearer distinction between core and fee-for-service activities.
- Strengthen governance and compliance support, including model policies, procedures and tools.
- Improve engagement, communication and how we listen to members (including council administration).
- Advocate for financial sustainability, fairer funding and reduced cost-shifting.
- Expand collaboration and shared service opportunities across councils.
- Support workforce attraction, retention and leadership development.
- Lead sector readiness in digital transformation, cybersecurity and AI.
- Drive coordinated action on climate resilience, sustainability and disaster preparedness.
- Strengthen public trust and sector reputation (structured case studies showcasing local government success stories).
- Establish structured member engagement framework (or account management model) and service level commitment.
Engagement activities
The development of our Strategic Plan has been a collaborative process. It has involved input from members, the LGA Board, GAROC and SAROC Committees, our Audit and Risk Committee, and all LGA staff.
The following are some of the engagement opportunities that were available during the consultation period:
- Initial Member survey – August 2024 – September 2024
- LGA staff and Executive Leadership team via series of staff listening sessions
- LGA Board via Strategy Workshops 3 March 2025 and 8 August 2025
- LGA Staff listening sessions – September 2024
- Member survey – December 2024 – March 2025 (conducted by Scyne Advisory)
- Webinar for members - Wednesday 2 April 2025
- Webinar for members - Tuesday 8 April 2025
- Webinar for members - Thursday 10 April 2025
- Webinar for members - Monday 28 April 2025
- LGA staff engagement session March – May 2025.
- CEO Workshop (information sharing) – 18 July 2025
- Mayor and CEO Forum (information sharing) – 26 July 2025
- LGA staff engagement session – 26 September 2025
Next steps
A draft implementation plan to embed the new Strategic Plan and map out our timeframes for delivery will be developed.
While the working draft included a high-level implementation roadmap, a more detailed and standalone roadmap will be developed based on member feedback to clearly outline the steps, timeframes and responsibilities for delivery.
Our Corporate Plan, which was developed in draft earlier in the year, is now being updated to align with the new pillars and strategic activities. This will guide the first year of delivery.
Strategic pillars and activities are also now being incorporated into our reporting and performance measures. Progress will be tracked through clear indicators and regular reporting, ensuring transparency as actions are delivered.
We look forward to this next stage and delivering value for members.