Media Releases

“The Council has many reasons why it wants to host the AFL Gather Round again in 2025,” Mayor Bria said.

“The nation’s spotlight was on our beautiful City as we hosted two nail biting AFL matches in April this year, the Norwood Food & Wine Festival that attracted over 70,000 people who enjoyed the produce from our local food and beverage producers and the weekend delivered significant local economic benefits. As well, of course, the fantastic community spirit and vibe!”

More than 18,000 fans packed Norwood Oval over the Gather Round weekend for the two AFL matches this year. The Brisbane Lions kicking off a convincing win over North Melbourne in front of more than 9,000 fans on Friday 5 April, while 9,425 footy fans enjoyed watching St Kilda defeat Richmond on Sunday 7 April.

Economic data for the month of April shows that the business sector in City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and in particular the suburb of Norwood, benefitted from a massive increase in spending this year compared to 2023.

Spendmapp data revealed the total spend for the entire City entire over the three days was $17.6 million compared to $14.2 million in 2023.

“City-wide expenditure in the Dining and Hospitality sector was $6.6 million this year compared to $4.45 million in 2023 - representing a 48% increase - which is a phenomenal result.”

“This massive increase in spending this year is testament to the momentum of the AFL Gather Round and of course, the popularity of The Parade, The Norwood Oval and The Norwood Food & Wine Festival.”

“The high percentage of spending coming from visitors, rather than locals, reinforces the success of the AFL Gather Round and how it attracts people from interstate to South Australia and the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.”

“In fact, almost one quarter ($890,000) of the spend in Norwood came from Victorian visitors, which is a great result and demonstrates the popularity of the Norwood Food & Wine Festival.”

Mayor Bria said the Council has resolved to express its interest with the AFL and the State Government for Norwood Oval to host matches for the 2025 AFL Gather Round and has allocated $200,000 in its 2024-2025 budget for activations and events. 

Media enquiries: Mayor Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Simonne Whitlock 0400 650 951

This year’s budget will result in an average residential rate increase of 7.01% or $149, bringing the residential (average) rate to $2,040.

The adopted budget will result in almost one third of residential properties only paying the Minimum Rate of $1,277.

More than three in five (63%) of residential property owners will pay no more than to $2,000, which is $40 below the average rate.

Mayor Robert Bria acknowledged that while this year’s rate increase is higher than those of recent years, the Council is delivering a significant infrastructure renewal and new capital works program.

This includes:
• road reseals ($4.177 million);
• footpath reconstruction ($951,000);
• kerb and water tables ($1.552 million);
• stormwater works including the Trinity Valley Drainage Upgrade ($11.642 million); and
• renewal of other infrastructure asset renewals ($1.972 million).

Other major projects funded in the budget are the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre
Redevelopment and the upgrade of George Street, Norwood, which is the first major instalment of the Parade Masterplan.

The Council is also funding an exciting events program, which includes efex Men’s Stage 3 for the 2025 Tour Down Under, Concerts in the Park series and Raising the Bar Adelaide.

$200,000 has been allocated towards next year’s AFL Gather Round, which the Council hopes to be a part of again following the success of the two games played at Norwood Oval last April.

“Our citizens work hard for their money which goes into the Council budget, so it is only fair the Council ensures the money in the budget works hard for them,” Mayor Bria said.

“As a Council, we are absolutely committed to delivering high quality services and infrastructure for our community.

“Over a number of years, the Council has been focused on delivering a number of projects, but we know there is still much more to be done,” said Mayor Bria.

Media enquiries: Mayor Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Simonne Whitlock 0400 650 951

Speakers at this year’s event will be discussing a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to - your rights at work; bowel cancer; suppression orders versus silence; intimate relationships, diet, body language, elevating your career and how history is recorded.

Mayor Robert Bria said Raising the Bar was one of the most anticipated events in the Council’s calendar with many of the free talks expected to be at capacity.

“This year’s speakers cover a range of intriguing and riveting topics that are sure to pique everyone’s interests,” he said.

“This year the calibre of speakers is exceptional and we also have a new venue - Ferg’s Stepney.”

Veteran Raising the Bar Adelaide speakers, The Advertiser’s Chief Court Reporter Sean Fewster and Change Management Consultant, Daniel Panozzo, who are the co-creators and co-hosts of the Just Lawful Podcast, will be speaking at Little Bang Brewery.  During their talk at 6:30pm talk they will be focussing on “suppression vs silence”.

“In the past, Sean and Daniel have always been fully booked so I recommend getting in early if legal issues and justice are of interest to you.”

“It is expected that Kellie Finlayson and Sophie Edwards, will also be very popular speakers. They are both Jodi Lee Foundation Ambassadors and both bowel cancer.

“Kellie, who is married to Port Adelaide Football Club key forward Jeremy Finlayson, and Sophie will speak about bowel cancer, how to prevent the disease and their work with the Jodi Lee Foundation. They will also share their bowel cancer stories in a real and raw yet humorous way."

“The best – and most challenging aspect -  of Raising the Bar is deciding who to see and in what venue. One of the drawcards of the initiative is the opportunity to “bar hop” and visit as many venues as you can.”

Raising the Bar originated in New York City when students from New York University and Columbia University combined to bring lectures into informal settings such as bars. Raising the Bar events are now held in a number of cities across the world including London, Hong Kong, Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne.

The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters holds the exclusive license to host the event in South Australia.

Tickets to Raising the Bar talks are free and bookings are essential.

For more information  about speakers and venues, and to secure your seat, visit: Raising the Bar Adelaide

Media enquiries: Mayor Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Simonne Whitlock 0400 650 951

The Landscape Architecture Awards promote the achievements and work of landscape architects in Australia and are an opportunity for public and peer recognition.
The St Peters Street Project took out awards in the following categories:

• Infrastructure Award of Excellence
• Water for Life Award
• Healthy Parks, Healthy People Award

St Peters Street also took out the inaugural Minister for Planning’s Award which was presented to Mayor Robert Bria by Hon Nick Champion, Minister for Planning.

Mayor Bria said the St Peters Street Upgrade Project was a transformative project which was undertaken as part of the Council’s ‘complete streets’ approach to major infrastructure and asset renewals.

The complete streets approach involves bringing the staggered timing of the replacement and/or renewal of different assets such as footpaths, kerbs, road reseals and stormwater drainage works together at the same time.

Mayor Bria said receiving multiple awards in different categories for the one project “is testament to the thoughtful and innovative thinking that underpins the design of St Peters Street.”

“The St Peters Street Upgrade Project is a once in a generation project in that it traverses eight avenues and completely overhauled a tired residential street with crumbling infrastructure.

“The upgrade took over a year to complete given its size and complexity, but the result has seen the amenity rise a very high standard, which includes wider footpaths, verge and median plantings and over 150 trees planted on both sides of the street. The Council’s vision for St Peters Street was realised and now serves as a model for future ‘complete street’ projects,” said Mayor Bria.

The project has delivered streetscape infrastructure that:

• provides safe and accessible movement for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists;
• encourages physical activity and supports mental health to achieve healthier lifestyles and well-being;
• maximises the extent of green landscaping and shade tree planting for comfort and amenity;
• links movement between open spaces for both people and wildlife; and
• integrates green infrastructure and uses recycled water for long-term sustainability, cleaner waterways and climate change adaption.

The Council is extremely grateful for the Awards and wishes to acknowledge the efforts of Council staff, consultants and contractors in the delivery of the project, including Landskap (landscape architecture) and Dryside Engineering, Plotworks and Cavocon.

Media Enquiries: Robert Bria 0431 754 077 or Simonne Whitlock 0400 650 951