Media Releases

“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.

Public consultation is being undertaken from Thursday 24 October 2024 until Friday 20 December 2024.

This change is proposed through an amendment to the Planning & Design Code, which is the State-wide Planning Policy document. The Code Amendment proposes to list 20 new Local Heritage Places and introduce a new Historic Area which includes 32 dwellings, together with some minor zoning changes to surrounding properties.

The proposed change to policies seeks to protect the eligible buildings from adverse development outcomes, such as demolition or significant modifications to original parts of the building.

The protection of Inter-war buildings is identified as an initiative in the Council’s 2022-2027 Built Heritage Strategy.

The Council is encouraged by the support that it has received from the State Government to make changes to the Code to facilitate and improve heritage and historic area protection, including a matched funding grant towards the development and progression of various heritage Code Amendments.

“It is important for our community to understand the nature of these policy changes and to provide the Council with feedback to help shape the City’s planning for heritage and historic areas”, said Mayor Bria.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Lisa Mara, General Manager Governance & Civic Affairs on 08 8366 4549.