Decision details

Moved by Councillor Cabada,

Seconded by Councillor Maher –

That Council:

1.       Notes that the 2026–27 City of Adelaide Business Plan and Budget will materially shape the City’s economic performance and long-term financial sustainability.

2.       Notes that the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA), as a subsidiary of the City of Adelaide (CoA), plays a central role in delivering investment attraction, business growth, precinct activation and main street revitalisation.

3.       Requests that Administration arrange an AEDA Budget Workshop for Councillors on Thursday 12 March 2026 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, prior to the 2026–27 Business Plan and Budget briefing.

4.       Requests that AEDA present at the Workshop:

a)       Its proposed 2026–27 base budget and the strategic outcomes deliverable within current funding settings.

b)       Clear funding scenarios outlining the additional initiatives and outcomes deliverable under:

i.        An additional $2.25 million per annum.

ii.       An additional $4.5 million per annum.

c)       The initiatives or objectives that would not proceed under base funding.

d)       The projected economic and financial impacts of each funding scenario, including investment attraction, business growth, visitation, job creation, private sector leverage and impact on the City’s rate base.

e)       How proposed initiatives would support identified growth and development precincts.

5.       Requests that Administration provide advice on the financial implications and sustainability of each funding scenario, including identification of significant expenditure areas that could reasonably be reduced, deferred, consolidated or reprioritised to support initiatives that demonstrably drive economic benefit to the City, together with an assessment of the associated financial and service impacts.

6.       Requests that workshop materials be provided to Elected Members no later than 5:00 pm on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

Discussion ensued

Amendment –

Moved by Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Noon,

Seconded by Councillor Couros –

‘That Parts 3 and 6 of the motion be amended to read as follows:

3.       Requests that Administration arrange an AEDA Budget Workshop together with the AEDA Chair and Deputy Chair present, no later than Monday 23 March 2026. 

6.       Requests that workshop materials be provided to Elected Members no later than 3 clear days before the scheduled meeting.’

Discussion continued

Undertaking – Councillor Cabada - MoN - AEDA Budget Workshop – 2026–27 Business Plan and Budget

In response to a query from Councillor Davis, an undertaking was given to include in the workshop information on any budget line AEDA has to support main streets during the main street revitalisation projects.

The amendment was then put and carried

The motion, as amended, was then put and carried