A Representation Review is a process that every Council must regularly undertake which considers whether the composition of the Council meets the needs of the local community.

Matters to be considered as part of the review include:

• The number of Elected Members to represent the community
• The number and structure of Wards
• Ward names.

Council is required to undertake a review of their representative composition and electoral structure every eight years in accordance with Section 12(4) of the Local Government Act 1999.

Council last completed a Representation Review in 2016/2017, which resulted in the current composition structure.

The Representation Review has been undertaken with consideration towards the following:

• Voter entitlements and projections
• Composition of the Council, including whether Councillors should represent Wards or the whole Council area
• Elector representation including elector numbers, quota (number of electors per Elected Member), and Ward quota (number of electors per Elected Member who represent a Ward)
• Comparisons with other comparable Metropolitan Adelaide Councils
• Number of Elected Members
• Whether the division of the council area into Wards should be abolished, or if Wards should be retained, taking into consideration
  • Ward structure
  • Number of Ward Councillors
  • Wards of varying representation (varying numbers of Councillors per Ward), Area Councillors only (i.e. no Wards)
  • Ward name themes

Post consultation, the Council must prepare a final Representation Review Report which captures community feedback for submission to the Electoral Commissioner for approval.

Once approved, the proposed representation structure will come into effect at the next electoral cycle (2026).

The preferred structure proposes:

• The principal member of Council will be a Mayor elected by the community (as per the requirements of Section 51 of the Act).
• The future elected body of Council will comprise the Mayor and twelve (12) ward councillors.
• The Council area will be divided into three (3) wards with each of the proposed wards being represented by four (4) councillors.

The three proposed wards:

Ward 1: Comprising the districts/localities of Birdwood (part), Castambul, Chain of Ponds, Charleston, Cromer (part), Cudlee Creek, Forreston, Gumeracha, Houghton (part),Humbug Scrub (part), Inglewood, Kenton Valley, Kersbrook, Lobethal, Lower Hermitage, Millbrook, Montacute, Mount Crawford (part), Mount Torrens (part), Paracombe (part),Upper Hermitage (part) and Woodside.

Ward 2: Comprising the districts/localities of Ashton, Balhannah, Basket Range, Bridgewater (part), Carey Gully, Cherryville, Forest Range, Greenhill, Hahndorf (part), Hay Valley (part), Horsnell Gully, Lenswood, Marble Hill, Mount George, Norton Summit, Oakbank (part), Piccadilly, Rostrevor (part), Summertown, Teringie, Uraidla, Verdun (part) and Woodforde.

Ward 3: Comprising the districts/localities of Aldgate, Belair (part), Bradbury (part), Cleland, Crafers, Crafers West (part), Dorset Vale (part), Heathfield, Ironbank (part), Longwood, Mylor (part), Scott Creek, Stirling, Upper Sturt (part) and Waterfall Gully (part).