Media Releases

Spendmapp data, which collects credit card and EFTPOS transactions, revealed the City recorded $2.08 billion in consumer spending for the 12-month period ending 31 May 2025.

City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria says the figure is an “incredible result which shows our City and its community remain resilient in an uncertain economic environment”.

“It also demonstrates why our City has been ranked by CreditorWatch as having the lowest risk of business failure of any council area in Australia for nine consecutive months.”

The largest spend was in the health sector ($350 million), followed by specialised and luxury goods ($305 million) and groceries and supermarkets ($234 million).

Spendmapp data shows Norwood to be the best performing suburb within the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, with spending in the area accounting for 39% of total spend in the City.

Norwood also accounted for:

• 56% of total spending on groceries and supermarket 
• 53% of total spending on luxury and specialised goods
• 49% of total spending on dining
• 35% of total spending on health care.

“Norwood continues to be the ‘engine room’ of the local economy and dominates the largest sectors in terms of the percentage of total spend,” adds Mayor Bria.

“The Council understands the revamped Burnside Village is likely to have some of impact on The Parade in the short term but is confident the precinct will continue to perform strongly well into the future due the diversity of the precinct’s offering.

“When you consider that almost half ($114 million) of the annual dining spend in our City is in Norwood, it’s easy to see why The Parade is Adelaide’s premier main street.

“At the same time, Spendmapp data is showing localities such as Kent Town are starting to come into their own, which means the Council needs to take deep dive to see what’s happening there and how it can best support future strategic growth.” 

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834

The Business Risk Index ranking, released monthly by CreditorWatch, considers a range of business-related indicators, such as property prices, rents, consumer confidence, insolvencies, inflation and interest rates.

Of the number one ranking, Mayor Robert Bria says this is an “incredible result for a relatively small council in South Australia”.

“When you consider there are 537 Councils in Australia, achieving the number one ranking once is a great result, but then going on to maintain that ranking for another nine months is pretty special.

“What this tells us is that business confidence in Norwood Payneham & St Peters is high, brick and mortar traders like being here, and the lifestyle our City offers makes operating home-based business an attractive proposition.

“Our local business community is large with more than 7,000 businesses, which equates to almost one business for every five residents in our City,” he said. 

“This ratio means our economic strength is directly linked to our community strength, making for a more connected, prosperous and socially cohesive city.”

Mayor Bria says the diversity of the local economy means that multiple sectors have contributed to our resilience during challenging times.

“As you’d expect in a city like ours, retail and hospitality are big sectors, but other sectors such as health and education are also strong,” he said.

For more than a decade Tom McClure has been trading on The Parade as Grill’d Norwood and says the recent data and long-running number one CreditorWatch ranking, positions The Parade and City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters as an ideal place to continue doing business.

“I’ve been running a hospitality business on The Parade for 11 years and these results confirm what we’ve known for some time—The Parade is a destination, especially for hospitality,” says Tom.

“Annual events such as the Norwood Food and Wine Festival and AFL Gather Round add to the vibrancy and appeal, while Council’s ongoing support ensures local businesses continue to thrive.

“As a business owner who previously held a position on The Parade Precinct Committee, I am grateful for the consistent efforts made by the Council to support local businesses and grow the local economy — and the results are in and they’re pleasing to say the least."

Mayor Bria suggests that despite the impressive results, the Council must keep working closely with local business and the South Australian Government to help create the conditions for long term economic growth.

“Rather than rest on our laurels, we need to double down on our efforts to stay engaged with the local business community to ensure they continue to invest and create jobs.”

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834

Following a $1 million redevelopment, the new Dunstan Adventure Playground was officially opened on 2 February 2024 by Mayor Robert Bria and the South Australian Premier, the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP.

Mayor Bria says the award reflects the investment that the Council is making into the renewal of its playgrounds as places the whole family can enjoy.

“The Dunstan Adventure Playground is the result of thoughtful planning and collaboration with First Nations people to create a place that demonstrates a strong connection to Country, offers active and nature play for children of all ages and places for families and friends to connect, among a stunning natural landscape.

“I am particularly proud of the teamwork demonstrated throughout the project that included Council staff, arborists, designers, contractors, Kaurna representatives and artists and residents.” 

Paying homage to former South Australian Premier Don Dunstan’s vision, the Dunstan Adventure Playground boasts adventure themed play equipment complete with barbecues, lighting, shelter toilets and picnic facilities amongst a thoughtfully designed landscape setting.

The AILA Landscape Awards judges’ citation notes that, “The project is an exemplar, led by landscape architecture and a collaborative relationship with Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation and local Kaurna artists”.

“The refreshed space has a strong connection to Country — an element previously missing within this playground on the Karrawirra Pari, despite Don Dunstan being a champion for First Nations people and its riverine context.”

Judges acknowledged that through its redevelopment, the Dunstan Adventure Playground has retained its unique qualities of challenging play while building on these themes with embedded culture and environmental sensitivity.

“The team has reinforced this fantastic destination along the River Torrens Linear Park. The playground design is brave and also encourages children and parents to be brave — just as it did in the seventies.”

Burchell Reserve, located at 50 Sixth Avenue, St Peters, was also acknowledged with two commendations following its $4.2 million redevelopment.

The Water for Life Commendation is a nod to the Council’s strategic approach to substantive stormwater peak flow mitigation and water quality improvements that has been delivered with high-quality green space and leisure opportunities for the local community. 

Judges specifically noted thoughtful integration of a raingarden and stormwater detention tanks below the tennis courts, stating, “this was done without impacting on activity space, and park-wide detention storage, whilst retaining mature trees via progressive civil works treatment”.

The Healthy Parks Healthy People Commendation saluted the Council’s approach to integration of existing mature trees and green spaces with stormwater management and new recreational opportunities — with a clear focus on expressing the natural drainage and landscape palette.

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834

Mayor Robert Bria says the figures not only demonstrate the popularity of the Gather Round but also position Norwood Oval on The Parade, as the local venue to host matches.

Of the $15.8 million total spend across the City during Gather Round, more than $1.12 million can be attributed to interstate tourists.

Victorians spent $750,000, while Sydneysiders outlaid $191,000 and Queenslanders $182,000.

Norwood Oval again hosted two matches as part of AFL Gather Round, with Brisbane Lions playing Western Bulldogs on Saturday, 12 April while St Kilda came up against Greater Western Sydney (GWS) on Sunday, 13 April.

Mayor Bria says hosting matches at Norwood Oval featuring interstate teams was a key factor in attracting tourists from across the country to The Parade.

“Bringing teams such as Brisbane and GWS to Norwood Oval is great from a tourism perspective and gives our City a unique opportunity to showcase everything  our great City has to offer.

“I was delighted to see people from as far as Townsville attend the Rivals Long Lunch on Osmond Terrace on Saturday, 12 April.”

Mayor Bria says the Council  was particularly pleased with the significant increase in hospitality spend this year — $4.6 million compared to $3.6 million in 2024.

Key Spendmapp data for the 2025 AFL Gather Round:

• Total spend in the City: $15.8 million compared to $14.8 million in 2024 (7% increase)
• Total hospitality spend in the City: $4.6 million compared to $3.6 million in 2024 (26% increase)
• Hospitality spend in Norwood: $2.83 million compared to $2.4 million in 2024 (19% increase)
• Hospitality spend on Sunday 13 April (day of Norwood Food and Wine Festival): $1.5 million compared to $1.1 million in 2024 (36% increase).

Note: Spendmapp has recently recalculated the data following a review of different categories.

Media enquiries: Robert Bria on 0431 754 077 or Allison Kane on 0499 558 834

The recipes, featuring locally sourced ingredients from the likes of Avanti Pasticceria, L’Abruzzesse Pasta and Rio Vista Olives, are easy to follow videos, complete with ingredients lists, where to buy every item and step-by-step, easy to follow instructions.

“Jane and Eddie are showcasing what our food and beverage manufacturers in Glynde, Stepney and the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters have to offer,” says Mayor Robert Bria.

“And with some of the best produce in the State right here on our doorstep, it’s not hard to find inspiration.”

Recipes take you on a culinary journey from a gourmet croque monsieur and whipped labneh with olive oil flatbread, to eggplant cotoletta and twice cooked duck leg, to a hearty lamb ragu bianco with pappardelle.

And of course, then there’s dessert.

“Our cannoli and trifle recipes put a fresh and contemporary spin on traditional favourites,” says Jane.

“All of the recipes were designed with people in mind — easily sourced, accessible ingredients and easy to follow instructions are at the heart of these dishes.

“We want to ensure that anyone can prepare these recipes and everyone will enjoy them, whether that’s a quick lunch at home or a fabulous dinner party with your nearest and dearest.”

For those who need a little more encouragement to try their hand in the kitchen, Eddie says, “Cooking is supposed to be fun and about bringing people together”.

“Yes, it can be intimidating, but once you give things a go, your confidence will grow with each recipe — don't be afraid to make some mistakes!”

Eddie says there’s a few key measures that will ensure you enjoy the process and create elevated dishes.

“Number one is to plan ahead — Read over the recipes before starting, think about the steps. A little planning goes a long way.

“We know cooking can become a chore in our day to day, but bringing your loved ones together, putting on some music and making an afternoon of it — it really lifts the enjoyment!”

“And lastly, don’t compromise quality for quantity. Great produce makes all the difference, whether it's a beautiful olive oil or a locally made cheese,” Eddie adds.

“We’re really spoiled for choice when it comes to quality produce with a plethora of producers, artisans and suppliers on our doorstep.

“Visit them, talk to them, lean into their passion and knowledge — good food is what they do, it’s deeply ingrained in them”.

Explore all ten recipes, watch the videos and download the ingredients lists and recipe cards, visit our website to start your cooking journey.

Watch now: Food Secrets with Jane and Eddie