MWA was pleased to attend the Southern Hills Branch meeting of the South Australian Local Government Officers Association (SALGOA), held on 15 May 2026 at the McCracken Country Club in Victor Harbor, South Australia.
The event brought together local government professionals, infrastructure specialists, contractors, consultants and industry suppliers from across the region for a valuable day of networking, technical discussion and collaboration focused on the future of community infrastructure and service delivery throughout South Australia.
The meeting provided an excellent platform for attendees to exchange ideas, discuss current industry challenges and hear firsthand about significant projects and initiatives currently being delivered across regional councils. With increasing demands on local government infrastructure, the discussions throughout the day reinforced the importance of innovation, collaboration and practical project delivery solutions.
Industry and Project Presentations
One of the key presentations of the day was delivered by Michael Robertson, CEO of the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority, who provided insights into the organisation’s operations, future planning initiatives and the evolving needs of community infrastructure management across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
The City of Victor Harbor also showcased several important local projects currently underway within the municipality. These included updates on the Yilki Coastal Seawall project, which is playing a critical role in protecting coastal assets and improving long-term resilience along the foreshore, as well as the Canton Place Footbridge project, highlighting the council’s continued investment in accessibility, connectivity and public infrastructure improvements for residents and visitors alike.
The project presentations generated strong discussion among attendees around coastal protection, asset management, procurement challenges, project funding and the increasing need for sustainable infrastructure solutions within local government.
Industry Collaboration and Networking
The SALGOA meeting also created an important opportunity for councils, contractors and suppliers to strengthen relationships and discuss emerging opportunities within the civil infrastructure and municipal works sectors.
MWA valued the opportunity to engage directly with council representatives and industry stakeholders throughout the day, sharing insights into current infrastructure trends, operational challenges and innovative delivery approaches being adopted across South Australia and interstate markets.
The afternoon general meeting included updates from the Southern Hills Branch committee, Treasurer and Secretary reports, as well as open discussion sessions where attendees shared updates from their respective organisations and regions. These conversations highlighted the strong level of collaboration that continues to exist across the South Australian local government sector.
Sponsor and Industry Support
The event was well supported by a range of industry partners and suppliers who continue to contribute to the success of local government infrastructure delivery throughout South Australia. Sponsors and supporting organisations included companies across civil construction, road maintenance, traffic management, precast concrete, safety products and specialised infrastructure services.
The strong attendance and engagement demonstrated the ongoing value of SALGOA meetings in bringing together professionals who are committed to improving community outcomes and supporting sustainable regional development.
Looking Ahead
As councils continue to navigate growing infrastructure demands, environmental pressures and funding challenges, forums such as SALGOA remain critical in fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and practical solutions across the industry.
MWA would like to thank the Southern Hills Branch of SALGOA, the City of Victor Harbor, presenters, sponsors and all attendees for hosting a highly informative and successful event in the beautiful coastal setting of Victor Harbor. We look forward to continuing to support and collaborate with local government and industry partners across South Australia in delivering safe, resilient and sustainable infrastructure outcomes for communities.
