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AAP
AAP
Politics
Tim Dornin

Community vote on SA council amalgamation

Peter Malinauskas says council amalgamation in SA's southeast is an important issue for residents. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

A plebiscite will be held to gauge community support for the amalgamation of two councils in South Australia's southeast.

The state government will bring legislation to parliament this week to hold the vote at the same time as the local government elections in November.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says the question of amalgamating the Mount Gambier and surrounding Grant councils has long been a matter of debate in the southeast.

The City of Mount Gambier is completely surrounded by the Grant Council, which is often referred to as a donut council.

"This will be an opportunity for the people of the southeast to have their say about the future of their community," the premier said.

"In my numerous visits to the Limestone Coast, this issue was repeatedly raised.

"But ultimately, this question will be in the hands of the people of the southeast."

Under existing law, the SA Local Government Boundaries Commission must conduct an inquiry into the merits of a proposed council amalgamation.

The government said holding a plebiscite to determine the level of community support for an amalgamation, before an inquiry, was a prudent first step.

Staging it at the same time as the local government elections would also minimise the cost.

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