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Adelaide Council Moves Forward on 2026-27 Budget and Growth Plans
Decisions on the 2026-27 budget, population increase and response to state legislation now move to implementation.
How we reported this
Adelaide City Council plans to raise rates by 5.6% for 2026-27, lifting the average residential rate to $2,387 and adding $127 per property. The increase forms part of the draft budget now under final consideration.
Rate Rise and Budget Timing
The 5.6% rise above inflation will affect roughly 30,000 properties in the CBD and North Adelaide. Council documents show the extra revenue is required to meet operating costs while several capital projects, including nightlife precinct upgrades, face delays. Residents will receive the new rate notices once the budget is formally adopted later this year.
Population Target and Skyline Planning
The council has set a goal to nearly double the CBD and North Adelaide population to 50,000 residents by 2036. Achieving the target requires an average of 1,000 new homes each year, delivered mainly through private development. This scale of growth will require updates to planning controls that currently limit building heights in parts of the city.
Position on North Adelaide Golf Course Act
The council has formally opposed the North Adelaide Public Golf Course Act 2025. The legislation transfers council-owned land to state control and removes EPA oversight for major events at the site. Council statements confirm it does not oppose motorsport or sporting events in the CBD in principle, provided state government consultation improves and impacts on residents are addressed.
These three positions now shape the council’s immediate workload. The adopted 2026-27 budget will set the revenue baseline, while the population target will guide planning scheme amendments. Discussions with the state government over event management at the golf course site are expected to continue through the remainder of the year.