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How State Budget funding can supercharge local initiatives

22 May 2026
With the State Budget to be handed down on 4 June 2026, LGA South Australia is continuing to advocate for several long-standing local government priorities that would deliver significant benefits for councils and South Australians across the state.

Since late last year, in the lead up to the March State Election, LGA has been calling for increased State Government investment in key areas including libraries and jetties, community wastewater management system funding, product stewardship and many more policy areas.

These priorities have also been raised in meetings with Government Ministers, Opposition MPs and the crossbencher to advocate for local government priorities on behalf of our sector.

LGA is reiterating how State Government funding injections into the following areas can make a huge impact across South Australia:

  • Future proofing public libraries: Increasing annual baseline funding from $20.7 million and including indexation in a new public libraries funding agreement would help secure existing services into the future.
  • Unlocking housing growth: Increasing Community Wastewater Management System program funding from $4.8 million to $12 million per year, plus establishing a new $20 million growth fund would support infrastructure for thousands of new regional homes.
  • Protecting jetties: Introducing an 80/20 cost-sharing partnership between state and local government for jetties maintenance and increasing annual state funding from $5 million to $10 million would help stop our iconic jetties from disappearing.
  • Product stewardship: Passing legislation to create a mandatory, fully funded product stewardship scheme would hold manufacturers accountable for waste, starting with lithium-ion batteries. Investment in safe disposal pathways and community education would also support behaviour change.
  • Climate Ready Alliances: Investing $5 million over five years in a statewide Climate Ready Alliances program would strengthen regional partnerships on climate action.

LGA will continue working closely with the State Government and all sides of politics to ensure the needs of councils and communities remain front and centre.

Find out more

For councils wanting more information about LGA’s advocacy on these items, contact Director Advocacy, Andrew Lamb.

Media wanting more information about LGA’s asks can contact media@lga.sa.gov.au or 0476 853 689.