Media Releases

The recipes, featuring locally sourced ingredients from the likes of Avanti Pasticceria, L’Abruzzesse Pasta and Rio Vista Olives, are easy to follow videos, complete with ingredients lists, where to buy every item and step-by-step, easy to follow instructions.

“Jane and Eddie are showcasing what our food and beverage manufacturers in Glynde, Stepney and the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters have to offer,” says Mayor Robert Bria.

“And with some of the best produce in the State right here on our doorstep, it’s not hard to find inspiration.”

Recipes take you on a culinary journey from a gourmet croque monsieur and whipped labneh with olive oil flatbread, to eggplant cotoletta and twice cooked duck leg, to a hearty lamb ragu bianco with pappardelle.

And of course, then there’s dessert.

“Our cannoli and trifle recipes put a fresh and contemporary spin on traditional favourites,” says Jane.

“All of the recipes were designed with people in mind — easily sourced, accessible ingredients and easy to follow instructions are at the heart of these dishes.

“We want to ensure that anyone can prepare these recipes and everyone will enjoy them, whether that’s a quick lunch at home or a fabulous dinner party with your nearest and dearest.”

For those who need a little more encouragement to try their hand in the kitchen, Eddie says, “Cooking is supposed to be fun and about bringing people together”.

“Yes, it can be intimidating, but once you give things a go, your confidence will grow with each recipe — don't be afraid to make some mistakes!”

Eddie says there’s a few key measures that will ensure you enjoy the process and create elevated dishes.

“Number one is to plan ahead — Read over the recipes before starting, think about the steps. A little planning goes a long way.

“We know cooking can become a chore in our day to day, but bringing your loved ones together, putting on some music and making an afternoon of it — it really lifts the enjoyment!”

“And lastly, don’t compromise quality for quantity. Great produce makes all the difference, whether it's a beautiful olive oil or a locally made cheese,” Eddie adds.

“We’re really spoiled for choice when it comes to quality produce with a plethora of producers, artisans and suppliers on our doorstep.

“Visit them, talk to them, lean into their passion and knowledge — good food is what they do, it’s deeply ingrained in them”.

Explore all ten recipes, watch the videos and download the ingredients lists and recipe cards, visit our website to start your cooking journey.

Watch now: Food Secrets with Jane and Eddie

Mayor Robert Bria says the Council’s draft Budget continues the Council’s ongoing commitment to investing in the Council’s infrastructure in response to the community’s expectations.

“Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty both nationally and internationally, the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters—like all other councils—faces a challenging financial environment,” says Mayor Bria.

“While interest rates and inflation have fallen in recent times, the legacy of these additional impacts on operational costs, and the cost of materials and labour required to deliver projects and provide services and programs, have been front of mind in the Council’s deliberations associated with this draft budget.

“The Council remains focused on adhering to the guiding principles of the Long-term Financial Plan (LTFP) by applying an 8.5% Rate Revenue increase in 2025–2026, to ensure it remains financially sustainable.

“This approach will help to ensure that the Council can continue to operate in a financially sustainable manner, which means its annual revenue will cover the costs of services and programs we deliver for our citizens.

The proposed budget will result in an average residential rate increase of 9.49% or $194, bringing the residential (average) rate to $2,238 while the average commercial rate will be $3,461 per annum.

Approximately 50% of ratepayers will pay the average rate or less while one third of residential properties (6,650) will pay the minimum rate of $1,386.

The projected Operating Budget Surplus is $754,356.

Infrastructure investment remains a core focus of the draft 2025–2026 Budget, with a total of $26 million allocated for capital projects, of which $11 million will fund the continued construction of the state-of-the-art Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre, which is expected to reach practical completion in the first half of 2026 (at which point the construction schedule will have spanned three financial years).

The Council also understands the importance of ensuring it keeps up its investment in essential infrastructure of roads, footpaths and kerbs for the community.

The 2025-26 Capital Works Program will include: 

• Resealing of roads ($3.5 million)
• Renewal of footpaths ($1.2 million)
• Kerbing ($1.5 million)
• Stormwater drainage ($2.1 million)
• Buildings ($2.6 million)
• Kent Town Infrastructure Upgrade ($400,000).

The Budget also includes new playgrounds and shade sails at Adey Reserve, Firle (which will also and St Peters Child Care Centre and Preschool.

A new playground will also be constructed at St Morris Reserve, to be undertaken as part of the St Morris Reserve Redevelopment, which forms the $7.5 million Stage 1 of the Trinity Valley Stormwater Drainage Upgrade project—the final phase of this multi-million dollar project to assist in protecting the community against the impacts of flooding.

“While these projects will be delivered in different areas of our City, each new project will bring benefits to our whole community,” says Mayor Bria.

Beyond infrastructure, the draft Annual Business Plan & Budget outlines a range of initiatives designed to foster community connection and wellbeing.

Funding is also allocated for the delivery of an exciting events program, which includes the 2026 Tour Down Under, Norwood Christmas Pageant, Raising the Bar and Concerts in the Park series.

A key attraction during the AFL season, $200,000 has also been allocated to the delivery of events and activations as part of the 2026 AFL Gather Round, which the Council hopes to be a part of for the fourth consecutive year.

“All of these events and activities help to build on our already strong sense of community, bringing neighbours, friends and visitors together to enjoy the best of what Norwood Payneham & St Peters has to offer,” adds Mayor Bria.

“The Council is getting on with the job of delivering for our community to improve the lifestyle and amenity of all who call our City home while ensuring the Council remains financially sustainable.”

Download a copy of the draft 2025–2026 Annual Business Plan and share your comments by visiting the Council’s website at www.npsp.sa.gov.au/consultation

Consultation closes 5pm, Friday 30 May 2025.

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

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