Media Releases

Mayor Robert Bria says the Council is excited to continue this important public art initiative.

“Public artwork is highly valued by our community because it adds to the strong sense of place the Council is committed to creating for our residents.

“We have a strong and vibrant arts community in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and the continuation of this major public art program sends a strong message to our arts community that we are putting our money where our mouth is.”

Mayor Robert Bria says that the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters is seen as leader in the public art space.

“We also know that the Council is a trailblazer and pacesetter in terms of this type of artwork, with other councils adopting similar policies.”

Under the Council’s Public Art Policy, budget is set aside annually for the purpose of funding a commissioned public artwork.

The total budget allocated for the artwork is $300,000, which is based on a formula of the equivalent of 1% of the Council’s annual capital works budget or a maximum of $75,000 allocated per annum.

The annual budget allocation of $75,000 is the equivalent of $1.40 spent for every $1,000 in Council’s annual budget.

“While the artwork is fully funded through Council’s annual budget process, the Council will continue to seek opportunities for grant funding to help offset the cost.”

The Council will now commence an expression of interest process in which artists are invited to respond to a project brief.

It is anticipated that the selected work will be unveiled by August 2026 at which time it will join the Council’s four previous Quadrennial Public Artworks:

• Seed Mix (Hackney, 2022)
• Perpetual Sun (Stepney, 2018)
• Fallow (St Peters, 2014)
• Spectrum (Norwood, 2010).

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834

“Small businesses are the bedrock of the local economy, employing more than 5,000 residents of our city to provide incomes and an enviable quality of life,” says Mayor Robert Bria.

“They bring people and tourists to our City and diversity to our main streets; they create local jobs for local people and spark innovation; they build community identity and are the foundation of many friendships and community connections.

“We want to shine a spotlight on the incredible businesses operating in our city, who for years, have provided exceptional service or have sold world-class products without recognition.”

The Awards, now in the eighth year, provide a platform to showcase the diverse range of businesses and entrepreneurship across the City.

“The awards present a great opportunity to learn about local businesses, in particular the people, their ideas and their stories,” says Mayor Bria.

Awards are offered across 10 categories in addition to a Hall of Fame recipient (for businesses existing 20 years and more) and Legends (three-time winners of the same award category).

Mayor Bria says that supporting the area’s economic credential has recently been made easier by the August 2024 announcement that the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters was listed by CreditorWatch as the best council area to do business.

“This result is testament to the professionalism, tenacity and resilience of the 7,370 local businesses, and the diversity of their offerings for customers.

“Together with the nation-wide attention placed on the City during national events such as Gather Round and Santos Tour Down Under, I expect that we will see a further increase in the Award voting this year.”

The Council is proud to continue delivering the Eastside Business Awards in partnership with Solstice Media.

David Simmons, InDaily’s Business Editor and Senior Journalist says, he is excited to return as an Eastside Business Awards judge for the second year running.

“The Awards give us an insight into some spectacular businesses.”

“Getting to know the owners always garners good stories throughout the year — stories read by a local audience keen to know what is happening in their neighbourhoods.” he says.

“I look forward to seeing the entries this year and hope the public gets behind the important initiative and votes for their favourites.”

Mayor Bria encourages all ratepayers, residents, customers, staff and visitors to nominate their favourite business and cast the spotlight on great local success stories.

“Help us show appreciation for our local businesses and the great things they do to lift up our community and position the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters as one of the best places in the State.”

Vote for your favourite businesses now!

Voting is now open. Vote for your favourites here.

• Voting closes Sunday 16 March.
• Finalists announced Monday 31 March.
• Winners and finalists celebrated at an Awards Evening on Wednesday 30 April.

Media Enquries to: Allison Kane on 8366 4528

“Between 2020 and 2024, expenditure in the City increased from $1.39 billion to $1.89 billion — a half a billion dollar increase in a four-year period dominated by COVID-19, rising interest rates and inflation, which is a stunning result.

“Norwood continues to be the ‘engine room’, with the suburb enjoying a very healthy share of the city’s total spend on hospitality, dining and professional services.”

“This is not surprising given The Parade’s standing as South Australia’s premier main street,” says Mayor Bria.

He said the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters is also widely recognised as a ‘council of choice’ to do business, with the Creditor Watch Business Risk Index (BRI) reporting it as the number one Council in Australia with the lowest risk of business failure in six months during 2024.

Highlights from 2024 Spendmapp data include:

• Total expenditure in the city was $1.89b, up from $1.39b in 2020, an increase of $500m (37%);
• Expenditure on Health was $320m, up from from $195m in 2020, an increase of $125m (60%);
• Expenditure on Dining was $212m, up from  $130m in 2020, an increase of $82m (61%) increase;
• Norwood continues to be the ‘engine room’ of the local economy, accounting for 57% of expenditure on Groceries and Supermarkets; 49% of expenditure on Dining; 47% of expenditure on Personal Services; and 36% of expenditure on Health;
• Local Resident Expenditure was (18%) and Local Visitor Expenditure was (82.%), underlining the strength of the visitor economy.

Mayor Bria says the economic outlook for the city is very positive.

“Three of the big four banks predict there’ll be at least four interest rate cuts in 2025, which means good news for consumer spending.

“I believe expenditure in our city can reach three billion dollars by the end of 2030 if Council has the right policies and supports in place to encourage continual growth,” he adds.

Mayor Bria said the Council’s Business and Economic Development Advisory Committee will be presented with the Spendmapp data at its first meeting on 18 February 2025.

ENDS

Media enquiries to Mayor Robert Bria 

“The 2024 Long Lunch was a spectacular success with 120 people feasting on produce from local manufacturers in Glynde and Stepney, accompanied by a selection of beverages from Amadio Wines and The Suburban Brew,” says Mayor Robert Bria.

Promising an even more indulgent experience this year, the lunch will be expanded to welcome up to 180 guests who will dine under a marquee along the tree-lined Osmond Terrace, Norwood.

The locally sourced menu will be curated by Eddie Noble, Head Chef of seaside restaurant HNLY.

“I’m already excited to present a thoughtfully crafted menu designed to take guests on a culinary journey, with each dish highlighting the best of what Glynde and Stepney have to offer,” says Eddie.

Joining Eddie in spotlight for this meticulously crafted food and beverage experience is none other than his mum and media personality, Jane Reilly OAM.

“This event is an exceptional opportunity to support local businesses while enjoying some of the best cuisine Adelaide has to offer,” says Jane, who will host guests at the Rivals Long Lunch.

Mayor Bria says the 2024 Long Lunch was a key part of the AFL Gather Round events hosted in Norwood and around Norwood Oval.

“The Rivals Long Lunch is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some of South Australia’s best food and wine on picturesque Osmond Terrace; only a stone’s throw from Norwood Oval.”

The Rivals Long Lunch is the precursor to the Brisbane vs Bulldogs game at Norwood Oval, also scheduled for Saturday 12 April.

“This is a unique culinary experience that will give guests the opportunity to explore the best of local food manufacturers from Adelaide’s east, and one that can’t be missed,” says Mayor Bria.

Secure your seat at the table

Tickets for the four-course lunch and drinks package are $150 per head and can be purchased here.

The Bulldogs will make their first appearance at The Parade, while the Giants, Lions and Saints will play at the ground for the second time.

Norwood Payneham & St Peter’s Mayor Robert Bria said he Council was “very excited” to be hosting Gather Round matches at Norwood for the third year running.

“Gather Round is an amazing time for The Parade and our city more generally, bringing tourists from around the country to South Australia’s premier Mainstreet.”

“The Council thanks the AFL and State Government for keeping faith with Norwood and what we have been able to deliver over the past two Gather Rounds.”

“We understand and embrace the challenge that comes with the meeting the high expectations to contribute to an amazing sporting event,” he said. 

“We also understand the enormous opportunities Gather Round provides to showcase our city and promote the local hospitality scene, especially with the Norwood Food and Wine Festival.”

Mayor Bria said the City-wide spend in the Dining and Hospitality category during the 2024 AFL Gather Round was $6.6 million, compared to $4.45 million in 2023.

“Of the $6.6 million spent, $5.7 million was visitor spend, which is people from outside of the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters,” he said.

Dining and Hospitality spending in the suburb of Norwood reached $3.7 million compared to $2.2 million in 2023. Of this figure, 88% was spent by visitors outside of the suburb.

Almost one quarter ($890,000) of $3.7m spend in Norwood came from Victorian visitors.

Mayor Bria said the announcement for 2025 AFL Gather Round caps off a great year for Norwood.

Last month, ‘Timeout’ an online magazine with a global reach of more than 7 million people, listed Norwood as one of the 38 coolest neighbourhoods in the world, the only place in South Australian to make the list. 

CreditorWatch’s August 2024 Business Risk Index (BRI) revealed the  City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters had the lowest risk region for business failure in Australia, ahead of the City of Unley which came in second.