The City of Onkaparinga () is a local government area (LGA) located on the southern fringe of Adelaide, South Australia. It is named after the Onkaparinga River, whose name comes from Ngangkiparinga, a Kaurna word meaning women's river. It is the largest LGA in South Australia, with a population of over 170,000 people in both urban and rural communities and is also geographically expansive, encompassing an area of 518.3 km2. The council is headquartered in the Noarlunga Centre with area offices situated in Aberfoyle Park, Woodcroft and Willunga.
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History
The council was formed on 1 July 1997 as the City of Happy Valley, Noarlunga and Willunga from the amalgamation of the former City of Happy Valley and City of Noarlunga with part of the District Council of Willunga. It adopted the City of Onkaparinga name from 22 December 1997.
Mayors
1997–2006: Ray Gilbert
2006–2018: Lorraine Rosenberg
2018–2022: Erin Thompson
2022 (acting): Simon McMahon
2022–present: Moira Were
Culture
The South Australian Writers' Centre and the City of Onkaparinga co-hosted the biennial South Australian Writers' Festival (2001–2011), renamed the South Australian Readers' and Writers' Festival from 2013 to 2015.
Governance
The council meets at the chambers in Noarlunga Centre on Hannah Road once a month on a Tuesday at 6.30pm.
The City of Onkaparinga has 13 elected members (including the mayor). The city is divided into six electoral wards, with two councillors representing each. The mayor is elected at large by all electors.
The current council was elected in 2022 for a four-year term.
Suburbs
That is, postcodes 5047, 5051, 5153, and 5157–74 (inclusive).
Freedom of the City
The Freedom of the City is reserved for military units which have, through their command, a significant attachment to the City of Onkaparinga. Freedom of the City is the highest honour the City can confer on a military unit.
Recipients
Three military units have been awarded Freedom of the City:
1998 - 40th Regional Cadet Unit Noarlunga
2004 - Squadron 605 Australian Air Force Cadets and Australian Navy Cadets TS Noarlunga
2016 - 619 Squadron, Australian Air Force Cadets
Key to the City
The Key to the City recognises exceptional, outstanding achievement and is Council’s most prestigious award. The award acknowledges the outstanding contribution of an individual or organisation in furthering the ideals of the city or to recognise outstanding achievement.
Recipients
1998 - Dr Andrew "Andy" Sydney Withiel Thomas AO
2006 - Mayor Ray Gilbert OAM JP & Edith Gilbert JP
2019 - Richard "Richie" Julian Porte