🤝 Exploring Shared Services Across the Fleurieu

A vision for greater efficiency

At a recent council meeting, an important motion was put forward by Cr Karin Hatch, seconded by Cr Davina Quirke, that could potentially reshape how local government administration operates across the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The motion centres on the idea of aggregating back-office administrative functions across three neighbouring councils:

The proposal seeks to explore whether combining certain administrative services into a single shared provider could deliver financial savings, operational efficiencies, and improved service outcomes.

What's being proposed?

The first step is cautious and investigative rather than prescriptive. Council has resolved — subject to support from CVH and AC — to request a detailed briefing on the scope of commissioning an independent report.

This report would examine:

• Whether cost savings could be achieved
• Which service areas would benefit most
• Any potential drawbacks or risks

The administrative functions identified for consideration include:

Importantly, this is not a final list, but rather a starting point for broader analysis.

Collaboration at the core

Recognising that such a change would require strong regional cooperation, the motion also calls for joint discussions between council leaders.

If supported, the Mayor and CEO will work with their counterparts from Victor Harbor and Alexandrina to:

• Discuss the potential benefits of a shared services model
• Develop a clear scope for the independent report
• Ensure all three councils are aligned before proceeding

This collaborative approach reflects a growing trend in local government: working across boundaries to reduce duplication and maximise value for ratepayers.

Why this matters

Councils today face increasing pressure to:

Shared service models are becoming an attractive option because they can:

• Reduce administrative overhead
• Improve consistency in processes
• Leverage combined purchasing power
• Allow councils to focus more on frontline community services

What happens next?

At this stage, the initiative is firmly in the investigative phase. The next key milestone will be gaining agreement from the other councils and defining the scope of the independent analysis.

If progressed, the resulting report will provide elected members with the evidence needed to decide whether a shared administrative model is viable — and beneficial — for the Fleurieu region.

Looking ahead

This proposal signals a proactive approach to governance — one that is open to innovation while grounded in due diligence. By exploring collaboration at a deeper operational level, the councils are positioning themselves to potentially deliver smarter, more efficient services to their communities.

As discussions unfold, this initiative will be one to watch for anyone interested in the future of local government on the Fleurieu.