The council was suspended and an administrator appointed in 2019, following soaring debt and findings of maladministration. It had been due to take part in the April 2027 local government elections, which would have ended the administration. No replacement timeline has been set.

Local Government Minister Rhiannon Pearce told parliament the principal administrator had advised her of serious concerns about the council’s readiness to return to an elected body. The ABC reports that Ms Pearce pointed to the complexity of the issues being rectified. She noted that Coober Pedy is the only council in South Australia responsible for essential services such as water and electricity.

Water delivery is due to transfer to SA Water by the end of this year. Discussions are under way with the Department for Energy and Mining on electricity supply.

The bill would allow more flexibility on timing and would facilitate a hybrid model of governance. Ms Pearce said community leaders had expressed a strong desire for a staged transition back to an elected council. The ABC report does not detail how the hybrid model would operate.

The ABC notes the decision follows assurances from previous Local Government Minister Joe Szakacs that the administration would end in 2026.