$23.7 million secured for Onkaparinga community
Published on 06 October 2026
The City of Onkaparinga secured $23.7 million in external funding, delivering investment into community services, infrastructure, environmental programs, recreation facilities, and initiatives to improve the lives of local residents.
The funding was secured in 2025–26 through 48 separate contracts and grant agreements, supporting projects valued at more than $31 million across the city.
The result includes $15.4 million in operational funding and $8.3 million in competitive grant funding, achieved through an 83 per cent grant success rate.
City of Onkaparinga CEO Sharon Mason said the result reflected significant effort across the organisation and demonstrated the value the council creates through strong advocacy and partnerships.
“Every dollar secured through external funding helps us deliver more for our community than would otherwise be possible,” she said.
“These funds support projects that improve neighbourhoods, strengthen community services, protect our environment, create opportunities for residents and help build a more liveable city.”
Significant projects enabled by this funding include:
- Morphett Vale (Knox ward), Bains Road school crossing ($100,700)
- Noarlunga Aquatic Centre (Mid Coast ward) Electrification ($1.575M)
- Reynella East (Pimpala ward) Malbeck Drive reconstruction ($830,000)
- Aldinga Beach (South Coast ward), Norman Road reconstruction ($1.898M)
- Hackham (Southern Vales ward), Collins Parade upgrade ($925,000)
- Flagstaff Hill (Thalassa ward), Traffic calming scheme on Murrays Hill Road/Craigburn Primary School ($154,500)
“This outcome is the result of a tremendous amount of work by staff across the council, who identify opportunities, build partnerships and develop high-quality applications that compete successfully for state and federal funding,” Ms Mason said
“Importantly, it means local residents benefit from investment that is brought into our city from outside sources, helping us deliver value while advancing priorities that matter to our community.”
Deputy Mayor Michael Fisher said the funding demonstrated the council’s ability to advocate effectively on behalf of residents and attract investment into the south.
“Securing almost $24 million in external funding is a significant achievement and a strong endorsement of the quality of projects being delivered across Onkaparinga,” he said.
“This investment will support facilities, programs and services that benefit our communities today while also helping us plan and build for the future.
“As South Australia's largest metropolitan council, we have a responsibility to advocate strongly for our growing community, and these outcomes show that advocacy is delivering real results.
“This funding is helping communities across our city thrive, creating opportunities for residents and ensuring Onkaparinga remains a great place to live, work, visit and invest.”
In addition to funding secured for council projects, the City of Onkaparinga also supported local community organisations and groups to access approximately $1 million in grant funding and provided 63 letters of support that contributed to almost $291,000 in successful external funding outcomes.
A further 10 funding applications, with a combined value of approximately $2.4 million, were awaiting assessment at the end of the financial year.
The funding supports the City of Onkaparinga’s commitment to delivering the aspirations outlined in the Community Vision 2034 and ensuring local communities continue to benefit from investment, innovation and partnership opportunities.
Highlights:
- $23.7 million secured
- 48 funding contracts
- $31.1 million in project value supported
- 83% grant success rate
- $1 million secured by community organisations with Council assistance
- 63 letters of support provided
- $290,915 in confirmed funding linked to those letters
- 10 further applications pending assessment
ENDS