A BOLD proposal to have the Gawler Council completely absorbed by its neighbours has failed to receive the backing it needs to proceed.

In May, Light Regional Council notified the State Local Government Boundaries Commission of a potential boundary change that would see the existing suburbs of Gawler be taken under the guidance of itself, as well as neighbours Barossa and Playford.

However, on Friday, Light Regional Mayor Bill O’Brien was informed the proposal would not be referred for the commission’s consideration.

In a letter to Mr O’Brien, commission chair Bruce Green said it was determined the proposal did not address the broader concept of a ‘community of interest’ nor specifically identify common interests between the affected communities.

“Further to this, the commission does not believe that additional work or information from the council at this stage would assist in the progression of this proposal…,” Mr Green said.

“The commission noted that the key objective of the potential proposal (is) to enhance regional productivity, regional governance and regional economics.

“However, the commission is of the view that the potential proposal does not sufficiently demonstrate that link between these objectives and the boundary changes that the potential proposal outlines.”

Mr Green goes on to say a potential proposal based on such significant changes to the boundaries of numerous councils should explicitly reference views from these councils.

“Your council may wish to note at this point that the costs of the investigation for a proposal of the nature that you have put forward are likely to be very significant,” he said.

In a prepared statement Mr O’Brien told The Bunyip Light Regional Council will continue to put first the interests and welfare of residents in any considerations to reform local government boundaries.

“Last week’s decision by the South Australian Local Government Boundaries Commission does not alter council’s commitment to residents and the region,” he said.

“Council is surprised at the commission’s decision. It is confusing given that the issues and circumstances driving council’s application are no different to those of the Barossa and Gawler councils.

“Council will need time to consider the commission’s decision, seek advice and decide on its next course of action.”

At the time of submitting the proposal, Light Regional chief executive Brian Carr labelled Gawler Council as “dysfunctional” and said boundary reform would lead to a more productive use of Gawler’s assets.

It followed Gawler Council’s own boundary realignment push that would see it take Hewett, Gawler Belt and Reid from Light Regional Council, as well as other suburbs from both Barossa and Playford.

Gawler Council was informed in January that its proposal could proceed to the next stage and be referred to the commission.