Sharing the re-brand story

COMMUNITY members keen to learn more about the background, costs and process behind District Council of Grant’s proposed name and brand identity update are encouraged to attend two drop-in sessions scheduled in May.

The sessions are designed to offer District Council of Grant residents and ratepayers an opportunity to learn more about the project and speak directly with Elected Members, the CEO and project staff before public consultation closes at the start of June.

District Council of Grant Mayor Kylie Boston reflected that it has been a long-term journey to get the project to this stage, which was first prompted by a strong district community response to amalgamation discussions four years ago.

“While a branding review has been budgeted since 2024-2025, conversations about Council’s identity and responsibility to promote our region have been ongoing, especially since the plebiscite results in 2022,” Mayor Boston said.

A plebiscite conducted at the 2022 Local Government Elections asked District Council of Grant and City of Mount Gambier voters whether amalgamation should be examined as a possibility. An overwhelming majority of 91% of Grant electors voted ‘no’, signalling a strong community connection to the district’s unique regional identity.

Chief Executive Officer Gary Button noted that another consideration for undertaking a rebrand was Council’s ageing assets, especially signage, that are nearing the end of their useful life.

“These signs would need to be replaced in the near future, regardless of the branding ultimately applied to the assets,” Mr Button said.

The funds for a refreshed Corporate Branding Strategy were set at $50,000 and budgeted through the 2024-2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget; as a multi-year project, the works were carried over to 2025-2026. After a competitive tender process, creative agency Fuller joined the project.

A branding architecture workshop was held with community members in August 2025, but it was at the Citizen’s Jury in March 2026 that the Southern Limestone Coast name and two logo options were put to the test.

Twenty-two community members from across the district were involved in the Citizen’s Jury, representing residents, ratepayers, business owners and volunteers from different townships and backgrounds with age ranges spanning from teenagers to senior citizens.

Feedback from the Citizen’s Jury showed strong endorsement of the ‘Southern Limestone Coast’ name. Between the two logos presented, there was an overall preference for the second logo concept which was seen as clearly connecting to the name and our region.

Detailed feedback from this workshop was provided to Fuller, who refined the chosen concept now open for wider consultation.

Mr Button explained that if the branding changes are accepted, the next steps are implementation, though it will be a gradual process. “This will not be an overnight change, but a staged approach that minimises disruptions for our community,” Mr Button said.

$50,000 for Year 1 of the branding implementation has been included in the 2026-2027 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget, representing 0.23% of the overall budget. This would cover initial changes to corporate signage, including fleet, along with updates to Council’s communications.

The project is estimated to take four years to complete, with larger assets replaced and renewed over time.

Mayor Boston emphasised that if adopted, the name and logo may change but Council’s core purpose will not.

“Council remains firmly committed to serving and supporting the local community, advocating for the needs of the region and working in partnership with residents, business, and stakeholders.”

“I encourage anyone who may like to know more about the project to read the FAQs on Council’s website or to attend a community drop-in session if they are considering sharing their feedback.”

Two community drop-in sessions are scheduled throughout May:

Wednesday 13 May, 2026 from 4-6pm – Mount Gambier Regional Airport (Airport Road, Wandilo)Tuesday 19 May, 2026 from 4-6pm – Italo Australian Club, Casadio Park (134-136 Bay Road, Moorak)Consultation on Council’s proposed name change and brand identity update is open until Tuesday 2 June, 2026. Official submissions will be presented at the June Ordinary Council Meeting on 15 June 2026 and can be made via Your Say DCG (yoursaydcg.com.au), hardcopy feedback form, or direct email or letter.

Any person who submits feedback through official channels also has the opportunity to appear personally or by representative before the Council to be heard on their submission, with the timing of this opportunity to be announced after the close of the consultation period.