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Civic leadership on display at 2026 LGA OGM and Conference

1 June 2026
More than 200 elected members and senior council leaders gathered on Friday for LGA's 2026 Conference and Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) to set sector priorities and participate in discussions on some of the most important issues facing the sector.

Held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre under the theme Civic Leadership, the event highlighted the vital role councils and elected members play in strengthening local democracy, guiding communities through change and shaping South Australia's future.

Members endorse key advocacy priorities

A key component of the OGM was consideration of four Items of Business submitted by member councils. All four motions were supported by delegates and will help guide the LGA's future advocacy efforts.

The endorsed motions included:

  • Unfair burden of the Construction Industry Training Fund Amendment Act: the impacts and financial burden placed on councils under changes introduced through the Construction Industry Training Fund Amendment Act.
  • Supply of portable water and sewage through growth areas identified under the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan: ensuring critical water and sewer infrastructure is delivered to support growth areas identified under the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan.
  • Stronger penalties for damaging trees: stronger penalties and enforcement measures for unlawful tree damaging activity.
  • Compliance and enforcement provisions under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016: a review of compliance and enforcement provisions under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 to strengthen councils' ability to respond to planning breaches.

Important conversations for the sector

Delegates heard from Minister for Local Government, Rhiannon Pearce, who delivered her first address to the sector since becoming Minister, outlining the State Government's priorities and commitment to working with local government.

Members also heard from incoming LGA CEO Victoria MacKirdy, who reflected on the opportunities ahead for the sector and the importance of continuing to build strong partnerships across local government.

The conference program also included highly interactive breakout sessions focused on shared services and disaster resilience. Participants actively exchanged ideas, shared experiences from their own councils and explored opportunities for greater collaboration across the sector.

The discussions highlighted a strong appetite among councils to work together to improve service delivery, build organisational capability and strengthen community resilience in the face of future challenges.

LGA will now progress advocacy on the endorsed motions on behalf of member councils and continue working with councils, governments and key stakeholders to advance the priorities identified by members.