What's happening

The Gumeracha Opportunity Shop (Op Shop) is owned and operated by the Adelaide Hills Council (AHC) in a small standalone building originally built with funds raised by the local Country Women’s Association. The Op Shop commenced trading prior to the formation of AHC in 1997 and was first established to meet a local need in the community at a time when this type of alternative shopping offering was limited.

In June 2025, BRM Advisory were engaged to undertake the Service Review of the Gumeracha Op Shop, and a detailed report of their investigations is available as part of the 26 August Council Meeting Agenda. The Service Review has considered the rationale and long-term viability of the Op Shop by examining matters that include:

  • trends in community demand, competition, and demographic shifts
  • alignment of the service with AHC’s strategic priorities and objectives
  • financial performance
  • WHS issues and building condition
  • current and future resource requirements
  • challenges and opportunities

Following the service review, four possible options for the future of the Gumeracha Op Shop were presented to Council.

Community Engagement

At the Council Meeting held on 26 August 2025, Council resolved to undertake a community engagement process guided by the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum, with volunteers and key stakeholders around the ongoing operation or cessation of the service and transition plan, should it be required.

During September 2025, we worked with volunteers, key stakeholders and interested community members, to understand their feedback about what is important for us to consider regarding the future of the Op Shop considering, use of Council resources, staff time and the building the Gumeracha Op Shop currently operates from.

Community engagement has now closed and the Engagement Summary can be viewed below.

Engagement summary

What we asked

During September, we invited feedback from key stakeholders and local residents about the Op Shop service review and future of the service.

Our engagement approach aimed to provide detail about the history and current condition of the Op Shop and share details about the service review undertaken and possible future options for the service and building.

Questions were asked to determine participants feedback on the four options presented in the August Council Report, community preference for how Council prioritises resources and any additional feedback or comments. A feedback form was developed and provided online and in hardcopy format. It contained both closed and open style questions.

How we asked

What we heard

Online and hardcopy feedback

Participants were provided with an overview of the Gumeracha Op Shop service review and the four future service options presented to Council and asked if they had any feedback they would like to provide.

Key themes of feedback:

  • The Op Shop is a valued community resource / service - 12 comments
  • Support for exploration into other service models - 4 comments
  • Remove staff / council from service operation / management - 4 comments
  • Concerns about the effect on volunteers / volunteer opportunities - 4 comments
  • Social value of Op Shop - 4 comments
  • Support council going out to an expression of interest for a community group to take over running of service - 3 comments
  • Op Shop is in the right / best location, community hub, supporting amenities - 3 comments
  • Increase hours of operation / open on weekends - 3 comments
  • Maintain / increase current service - 3 comments
  • Need for more community services in the Gumeracha area / concern about reduction of local services - 3 comments

How would you prefer Council resources are prioritised?

Participants were asked how they would like to see Council resources prioritised and provided with three possible answer shown below:

If the opportunity shop was to close, what do you think is important to consider?

Key themes of feedback:

  • Op Shop is a tourist destination / reason to stop - 6 comments
  • Op Shop is a valued community resource / service - 5 comments
  • Need for more community services in the Gumeracha area / concern about reduction of local services - 4 comments
  • Concerns about the effects on the town and Main Street of losing this shop - 5 comments
  • Support for exploration into other service models - 4 comments
Community meetings

Meetings and conversations were held with key stakeholders / groups to discuss the Op Shop service review process and seek their feedback on the potential future options for the Op Shop and preferences for use of Council resources. The main themes of discussions between staff and community members are provided below:

  • Concern that there was no consultation with the town or volunteers prior to the 26 August Council Report.
  • Concern about the volunteers being recognised with a celebration should the Op Shop close.
  • Openness to building being used in an alternative way or for another group.
  • Concern about there being another vacant building on the main street.
  • Interest in taking over the Op Shop service.
  • General discussions about promoting the engagement to members and other community representatives.
Community drop-in sessions

Two community drop-in sessions were held at the Gumeracha Civic Centre / Library on the dates below:

  • 11am to 12noon, Monday 15 September 2025
  • 4pm to 6pm, Thursday 18 September 2025

The drop-in sessions were an opportunity for community members to find out more about the review process that was undertaken and to share their feedback on the potential future options for the Op Shop and their priorities for council resources.

The main themes of discussions between staff and community members are provided below:

  • Questions around the reason/s for the Op Shop service review – what instigated the review and the potential closure of the Op Shop.
  • Requesting further information about the costs of running the Op Shop and why the service has become unsustainable.
  • Seeking to understand the need for council staff management versus shop being purely volunteer run.
  • Questions about the hours of operation of the Op Shop and if this could be extended to weekends.
  • Interest in whether there could be improvements to the running model to bring the service back to a profit and / or be taken on by another organisation.
  • Concerns about volunteers.
  • Preferences that Council be removed from running the service and outsource the service to another community run organisation e.g. Lions, Rotary.
  • Commentary around the need for the service within the community to allow access to low-cost goods.
  • Op Shop being key driver for people stopping in town and the effects the closure of the Op Shop could have on other services / businesses.
  • Feedback around disappointment that engagement hadn’t occurred earlier in the process.
  • Importance of the building not sitting vacant if the Op Shop is to close.
  • Ideas around other uses for the building e.g. a repair café.
  • Role the Op Shop plays in providing social interaction opportunity.
  • Commentary around the current location of the Op Shop being preferable due to proximity to library, community centre, reserve etc.
View the full Community Engagement Outcomes Report open in new window

Council Decision and Next Steps

A Report was presented to Council at the Council Meeting on 11 November 2025, detailing the outcomes of community engagement and recommending next steps for the future of the Gumeracha Opportunity Shop.

At the meeting, Council decided to cease operating the Gumeracha Opportunity Shop as a Council-run program and undertake an Expression of Interest process to find a community group to take on the Op Shop or establish another community offering at the site.

Following the EOI process, the Administration will provide a report to Council recommending a community-based group to assume operations at the site. The Opportunity Shop will continue to be run by Council until an alternative group has been identified to take over the operations of the Opportunity Shop or deliver an alternative offering.

Current volunteers and stakeholders will be promptly notified of this resolution, and that volunteers will be appropriately recognised and supported throughout any transition period. Council acknowledges and sincerely thanks the volunteers and broader community for their valuable contribution to the Opportunity Shop over many years.

Council Agenda - 11 November 2025 open in new window
Council Minutes - 11 November 2025 open in new window

Future options

Future options for the Gumeracha Op Shop

  • Cease operation & consider future building options

    Cease providing the Op Shop service in line with the review recommendations and consider future uses for the Op Shop building. This approach acknowledges the contributions of volunteers and the community and enables resources to be redirected toward initiatives that deliver greater strategic and community benefit to the Gumeracha community and surrounding townships. These services could include youth programing, gardening programs, activation of the Gumeracha Town Hall.

  • Maintain current operations

    Continue providing the Gumeracha Op Shop with existing resources. This is not recommended, as the Service Review identified that additional staff support is needed to operate to the required standard to mitigate risk and provide value to the community. Should Council pursue this option, the Administration would need to undertake further assessment of the implications on service delivery and staff capacity.

  • Continue operations with additional resourcing

    Allocate additional resources to cover the operating costs and the necessary staff support to provide this service. This would be in the realm of $14,000 per annum in additional staff and operating costs. It is also an option to allocate additional investment to pursue strategies that might increase the financial performance of the Op Shop. An allocation of $10,000 as a once-off cost for consultancy and retail advice could be expected.

  • Expression of interest process

    Seek expressions of interest from alternative organisations or groups to manage and operate an Op Shop at this site. This would involve a lease to the group who would be responsible for all operating costs and responsibilities, including work, health and safety. In considering this option, important factors include whether there is a community need for the service, given that another Op Shop operates in Gumeracha.

Op Shop objectives

Why Was the Gumeracha Op Shop Established?

The Op Shop was originally created to:

  1. Provide access to low-cost goods for the community
  2. Support reuse and recycling of goods and textiles
  3. Offer connection and volunteering opportunities
  4. Generate income which was later used to support other community centre initiatives

These are all important goals. When Council reviews a service, we ask:

  • Do these needs still exist?
  • Are they still a priority in the current context?
  • Is Council the best organisation to meet them?


Do These Reasons Still Apply?

  • Access to Low-Cost Goods

    ✅ This need still exists.
    However, low-cost items are now more widely available through:

    • Online marketplaces
    • Discount retailers
    • Other local Op Shops (including one in Gumeracha)

    ➡️ Council must consider whether it’s necessary to continue providing this service when alternatives are already available.

  • Support Reuse and Recycling

    ✅ This remains important.
    But other Op Shops and recycling programs in the region already support this goal.
    ➡️ The community still has access to reuse and recycling opportunities without Council needing to run its own shop.

  • Volunteering and Community Connection

    ✅ Volunteering is a key part of community wellbeing.
    Council offers volunteering roles across libraries, community centres, and other programs.
    ➡️ Volunteers can still connect and contribute through other avenues—including the nearby Op Shop, which is actively seeking volunteers.

  • Income Generation

    ❌ This goal is no longer being met.

    • The Op Shop has operated at a net financial loss for many years.
    • Continuing operations would require additional resourcing.
    • Costs related to illegal dumping, waste removal, and WHS compliance are increasing.

    ➡️ The shop is no longer a sustainable income source and may divert resources from higher-impact programs.

Service Review

Key Considerations from the Service Review

  • Strategic Misalignment

    • Operating an Op Shop is not a core function of local government—it’s typically run by charities or community groups.
    • Continuing to run the Op Shop may limit Council’s ability to invest in services with broader strategic impact.

  • Financial Sustainability

    • The Op Shop has operated at a net financial loss for many years.
    • To continue safely and effectively, it would require additional staff time to support volunteers, WHS, and increasing operational requirements
    • Council must ask: Is this the best use of limited resources?

  • Operational Challenges

    • Staff are increasingly required to manage:
      • Workplace health and safety risks
      • Illegal dumping and disposal of unsaleable items
      • Volunteer support
    • These demands are growing and divert staff from other community programs.

  • Duplication of Services

    • There are 10 other Op Shops within 25 km, including one in Gumeracha.
    • This means the service is not unique, and similar benefits are available locally.
    • Opportunities to access low-cost goods and recycle still exist—just through other providers.

  • Limited Broad Community Benefit

    • While the Op shop has been a valued community program for many years and is run by a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers, its continued operation by council diverts resources away for developing other offerings that can offer broader community wellbeing outcomes.