Tonight, the City of Adelaide had a choice – back its own rhetoric on growth and vibrancy or vote against it. Once again, it chose the latter.
Council considered three practical, targeted motions to activate the city and strengthen
the economy. All three were rejected. One motion sought to increase funding to the
Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) - the very body Council relies on to drive
city growth. Despite businesses contributing over 75% of rates revenue, AEDA receives
just 6.5% of the budget.
If Council is serious about growth and the economy, this is where it should start. Instead,
it voted no. Property Council SA Executive Director Bruce Djite said this pattern is
becoming all too familiar "Adelaide City Council talks about growth, activation and
vibrancy - but when it counts, it votes in the opposite direction. Every time a sensible
reform is put forward, it's rejected, and Council falls back on the lazy option: increasing
rates."
That same failure is now showing up in the draft budget, with Council yet again seeking
above-inflation rate increases before proving it has tightened its own belt. "This is lazy
governance," Djite said. "Ratepayers should not be the first port of call when Council has
not done the hard work on its own costs."
Tonight, modest, practical measures to support city activation were also rejected:
• A $100,000 increase for Renew Adelaide, an organisation proven to bring empty
spaces to life - turned down. Great ideas that would activate vacant shops will not
see the light of day.
• A 12-month freeze on outdoor dining fees - rejected during confidence and costof-doing business crisis.
In a $300 million budget forecasting a ~$5 million surplus, these are marginal investments
with outsized impact. "This is the anchor effect of the council in action," Djite said. "While
the State Government is pulling every lever to bring people into the city, Council is
dragging it in the opposite direction - holding back the potential of our capital."
As Councillor, Henry Davis put it, "the city threatens to become a haven for massage
parlors and convenience stores." Pushing business out of the city into the welcoming
arms of the suburban councils.
The Adelaide City Council's message to business is clear – you are paying more and
getting less. With a Council election looming, Djite said the business community must
respond, "if you care about how this city grows and how your rates are spent you cannot
sit on the sidelines. It's never been more important for the business community to show
up, enrol to vote, demand better, and support candidates that support business and
understand the economy."
