The 5049 Coastal Community Association has lodged its formal submission on the City of Holdfast Bay’s Draft 2026-27 Annual Business Plan, offering a range of observations and recommendations on behalf of the Seacliff and Kingston Park community.

Rates and Financial Position

The Association acknowledges the Essential Services Commission SA’s broadly favourable assessment of the Business Plan and welcomes the improvement in Council’s Net Financial Liabilities ratio, which has reduced from 111% to 97%.

However, we note that the proposed rate rise of 6.6% exceeds the 5.4% figure previously advised to the commission. We reiterate its recommendation that a rate cap of less than 10% be introduced and applied automatically — consistent with the approach taken by other South Australian councils.

Capital Investment in Seacliff and Kingston Park

A significant concern raised in the submission is the limited prospect of new capital projects in the Seacliff Ward over the next three to five years, reflecting the financial pressures associated with the Transforming Jetty Road Glenelg project.

Against this backdrop we are calling for Stage 2 of Seacliff Plaza to be designated as Council’s top funding priority. The project would deliver improved beach access, greening, and a more cohesive public precinct — completing a vision already outlined in Council’s existing Masterplan.

Kingston Park Coastal Reserve and Other Priorities

The submission welcomes news that Tulukutangga (Kingston Park Coastal Reserve) Masterplan is approaching Ministerial approval, while noting the substantial funding gap. The gap is estimated at $5–10 million against the $700,000 currently available, this will need to be bridged for works to proceed. We are hopeful that State and Federal funding can be secured to progress key elements, including the restoration of the Tjilbruke Spring.

Other matters addressed in the submission include the Brighton Road tree replacement program, the proposed relocation of the Rifles Monument, community project suggestions for Seacliff Plaza and Singleton Bridge, and the long-term reimagining of Brighton Village and Brighton Road.

Read the Full Submission Here

Holdfast Bay Council ignores the wishes of residents.

Approves plan which will double debt to $60 Million

A big thankyou to 5049CCA members who responded to our “Call to Action” and attended the Holdfast Bay Council meeting on 25 June, when the Council’s 2024-25 Business Plan (Budget), including the Jetty Road, Glenelg upgrade, was voted on.

Thanks also to those who took the time to indicate their position in our survey which asked the simple question: “Do you support the $40 million Jetty Road, Glenelg upgrade project based on the funding model proposed?” Almost 1400 residents (rate payers) in Holdfast Bay responded to the survey with an overwhelming majority of 92% saying NO.

Given the community’s strong opposition to the project funding model our Association and the Holdfast Bay Resident’s Association (HBRA) worked hard to affect the outcome of the vote. Read my deputation to the Council meeting on this page.

Council chose to ignore the views of the majority of residents and voted to approve the budget, including the Transforming Jetty Road project. The only councillor who voted against it was our Seacliff Ward Councilor, Annette Bradshaw. We thank Annette for her support.

We met with our other Elected Members in Seacliff Ward, Clare Lindop and Susan Lonie, prior to the meeting with the hope that they too, would vote against it. We are very disappointed that they decided to support the budget, although we note that Clare did move an amendment to reduce the capital commitment, but this was not successful..

5049CC and HBRA are considering what further actions we can take. A letter was prepared on our behalf by Botten Levinson Lawyers and submitted to Council immediately prior to the meeting. The letter raised a number of legal concerns and stated that any decision of the Council to adopt the 2024-25 Annual Business Plan and the Long-Term Financial Plan would be contrary to the Local Government Act and invalid. We are awaiting a response from Council.

We desperately need more volunteers to help our campaign against the council’s decision. if you can help please email us at info@5049coastalcommunity.com

You can also assist the Association by contacting our local councillors and expressing your view on the decision. Their details are below:

David Cruickshanks-Boyd

President 5049 Coastal Community Association

Read David’s Deputation to Council here...

Read HBRA’s Deputation to Council here

City of Holdfast Bay – Seacliff Ward Council Members

Clare Lindop:

The Holdfast Bay Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034 has a proposal to borrow an additional $30 million for an upgrade of Jetty Road Glenelg. This will increase the overall debt to approximately $60 million.

This proposal lacks risk management and exposes ratepayers to the largest financial risk the Council has made, $60 million. The new borrowings will be spent on a small proportion of the area of the City of Holdfast Bay.

The public consultation period is 3 weeks and is limited to a Council survey to some 1000 residents and feedback on the Council’s website. Due to the scale of borrowings the Holdfast Bay Residents Association believes a long-term financial plan should be a standalone consultation across the Council area involving all ratepayers.

Answer this simple survey to let us know if you support our campaign to stop this madness.

Read the draft plan and provide your feedback on the City of Holdfast Bay website.

Download our 5049 Coastal Community submission here.

Download the Holdfast Bay Residents Association full statement here.

Check out the campaign flyer here.