Mayor Simone Bailey elected as next LGA South Australia President

Mayor Bailey will formally succeed incumbent President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross at the conclusion of LGA’s Annual General Meeting on 4 December.

With a professional background in commerce and previous experience working as a Council Accountant, Mayor Bailey was first elected to Mid Murray Council as a councillor in 2018. She then served as Deputy Mayor in 2020 before being elected Mayor in 2022.

Drawing on her experience both as a council employee and an elected member, she has led the council through significant challenges this term, including the 2022–23 River Murray flood emergency, ongoing drought in the region and financial sustainability pressures.

Mayor Bailey is also currently the Vice President of the Murraylands and Riverland Local Government Association and has served on LGA’s South Australian Regional Organisation of Councils Committee since 2024.

Mayor Bailey said her extensive local government experience, both in operational and elected roles, provides a strong foundation for the presidency, with financial sustainability and cost shifting onto councils being two issues that will be an ongoing focus of her upcoming term.

“I’m grateful to South Australian councils for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading and representing our local government sector as LGA President for the next two years,” Mayor Bailey said.

“Strong advocacy starts with strong relationships, and I’m committed to ensuring LGA remains a respected and constructive partner of state and federal governments, working collaboratively wherever possible while never shying away from standing up for councils and their communities.

“Councils across South Australia are facing growing responsibilities, rising costs and increasing community expectations, and as the peak body LGA needs to keep challenging things like cost shifting and making sure councils receive the funding and resources they need to meet these demands.

“SA councils are incredibly diverse, and LGA’s role is ensuring they all have a voice – that means understanding the different challenges facing metropolitan, regional and rural communities and making sure our advocacy reflects the needs of the entire sector.

“I thank outgoing President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross for her strong leadership and dedication over the past two years and I’m excited to hit the ground running from next month."

Ballots from South Australian councils were counted at Local Government House on Monday, where Mayor Bailey received the most votes to be elected.

Outgoing President Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross congratulated Mayor Bailey on her election and reflected on some of the significant achievements during her tenure.

“When I began my term in November 2024, I had a goal to build LGA’s role as our sector’s peak body, to better lead and deliver more for councils,” Mayor Holmes-Ross said.

“We’ve made some significant achievements over the past two years and I’m particularly proud of the advocacy work that led to LGA securing $230.8 million in federal money to continue Supplementary Local Road Funding for the next decade for South Australia.

“We’ve also strengthened our sector’s fiscal capability through a new Financial Sustainability Program, the development of LGA’s advocacy plan, reviewing our governance framework, and appointing CEO Victoria MacKirdy – all of which sets up LGA now and into the future.

“Another key focus was taking action to address behaviour within councils, and we’ve taken strong steps toward doing this through a Strengthening Council Capability and Leadership Program, with an Early Intervention Advisory Service also to be launched soon.

“I’m incredibly proud to have led over the past two years, and I thank my fellow Board Directors and the LGA Secretariat for their support and focus to deliver outcomes for the sector.

“I congratulate Mayor Bailey on her election and look forward to working alongside her in my continuing capacity as Immediate Past President.”

LGA’s presidency alternates between a regional and metropolitan representative every two years, with South Australian councils casting their vote to determine who is elected to the position.

Photo caption: Incoming LGA President, Mayor Simone Bailey (left) with LGA Chief Executive Officer Victoria MacKirdy.

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For media enquiries, please contact media@lga.sa.gov.au or 0476 853 689.