GAWLER Council’s proposed boundary reform plans could increase its population by 60,000 people, according to a report tabled at a special meeting held last night.
Elected members last night were presented with a staff report and discussed the future steps for council’s push to reform its boundaries to include neighbouring suburbs at a special meeting – held after The Bunyip’s print deadline.
If the recommendations from staff are adopted by council, the council would support, in principle, undertaking an official application to the new State Government Boundaries Commission to bring in the Concordia growth area; Hewett; a portion of Kalbeeba, including the Springwood Development; a portion of Gawler Belt, Evanston Park, Reid and Hillier to its boundaries.

It would also support ceding its portion of the suburbs of Bibaringa and Uleybury to Playford Council.
Staff also sought advice from elected members in the report on a position for the town of Roseworthy, currently a part of Light Regional Council (LRC), which is set to rapidly expand after the announcement of a large housing development south of the town.
The report noted the expansion of Roseworthy would lead to an increased demand on Gawler services, but staff feared pushing to include the town within its boundaries would impact LRC too severely.
“Once developed the township of Roseworthy will stretch south and reach the Gawler Boundary, essentially merging the townships and creating a ribbon of urban growth which was one of Council’s key arguments when opposing the Roseworthy Development Plan Amendment in 2016,” the report read.
“It was the desire of the Town of Gawler to see the township of Roseworthy grow in a centric fashion placing greater importance on the facilities and services already provided within the existing town, instead of promoting a new community sprawled to the south, which would likely become dependent on the services provided in Gawler.
“Due to the information above and the fact that Roseworthy will eventually form a substantial part of the urban fabric within the lower north region, staff are seeking guidance from the elected body in relation to this matter.
“An important variable to be considered when pursuing boundary reform change is the financial sustainability of the affected Councils.”
Detailed financial analysis of what benefits and costs council would incur by bringing the new suburbs in to their jurisdiction will be completed by the Boundaries Commission.
Previous financial analysis undertaken by council showed it would bring in an extra $2,284,000 in rates, service charges, dog registrations and the hire of the Hewett Community Centre, while incurring $2,004,000 in operating expenses.
Mayor Karen Redman first brought boundary reform to the chamber in May with a motion which was supported by all but two councillors.
LRC mayor Bill O’Brien and Barossa Council mayor Bim Lange have both spoken out against Gawler’s boundary reform plan since it was first put forward.