FAQs

A refreshed Council brand is intended to deliver practical benefits for residents, businesses and the wider community by:

• Strengthening community identity and pride in the place we call home;
• Making it easier for people to recognise Council information, services and communications;
• Improving how the District is promoted to visitors, potential residents and businesses,
• Supporting local economic growth by strengthening tourism, employment and investment opportunities;
• Helping attract funding and partnerships that support community projects, services, and infrastructure upgrades; and
• Aligning Council‑owned entities — including Mount Gambier & District Saleyards, the Mount Gambier Regional Airport and the Port MacDonnell Community Complex — under a consistent identity.

A plebiscite was conducted at the 2022 local government elections asking District Council of Grant and City of Mount Gambier voters whether amalgamation should be examined as a possibility. 91% of Grant electors voted ‘No’, signalling a strong connection to our unique regional identity.

With this in mind, Council decided to explore updating the branding identity. 

A strong, consistent brand supports the whole community by improving how the District is presented today while positioning it well for future growth.

Council’s brand has not been reviewed since 1996, when the District Councils of Port MacDonnell and Mount Gambier amalgamated. Over the last 30 years, the way Council communicates — particularly online — and the expectations of our community have changed significantly.

Council wants its brand to reflect the community it represents. The name “Grant” is often not easily recognised as a district or location, especially outside the local area, which can make it harder for residents, businesses and potential visitors to clearly identify where we are.

Reviewing the brand now provides an opportunity to ensure Council’s identity is clear, contemporary and reflective of who we are as a community.

As part of the 2024–2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget, Council identified the need to review its Corporate Branding Strategy. 

An inclusion was made into the Annual Business Plan and Budget of $50,000, noting the 2024–2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget was subject to community consultation.  No feedback was received in relation to the inclusion of the Corporate Branding Strategy.

The project was funded in the 2024-2025 Budget, but as it was a multi-year project, work was carried forward to the 2025–2026 financial year.

A competitive tender process was subsequently undertaken, with Fuller appointed as the successful consultant.

Fuller developed the proposed brand identity through five Elected Member workshops, as well as a brand architecture workshop with community stakeholders in August 2025. A Citizen’s Jury was then held in March 2026. 

The final Citizens Jury was made up of 22 community members and volunteers from across the district, including business owners, ratepayers and residents, with ages ranging from teenagers to senior citizens. 

Feedback from the Citizen’s Jury showed strong endorsement of the ‘Southern Limestone Coast’ name. Between the two logo options presented, there was a strong overall preference for the second logo option which was seen as a clear connection to both the name and our region. Fuller then refined the preferred logo, which has now been presented for community consultation. 

There will be some costs associated with the adoption of the name change and brand identity update. An allocation of $50,000 has been included in the 2026–2027 financial year, representing 0.23% of Council’s operating budget. A number of early changes will have no, or very minimal, cost implications, including:

• Letterheads: Council primarily uses digital templates rather than pre‑printed letterhead.
• Uniforms: Consistent with some other local governments, Council uses a national supplier with a recognised local government logo rather than an individual Council logo. Other uniforms will be updated only as they are due for replacement.
• Social media: Updates to branding across Council’s social media channels can be implemented quickly at no cost.
• Council’s website: The website rebrand will be integrated with a pre‑planned website upgrade, noting that the site may not fully reflect the new branding until the upgrade is completed.

Council has a number of existing signage assets that are nearing the end of their useful life and are no longer fit for purpose. These signs will need to be replaced in the near future, regardless of the branding ultimately applied to the assets.

If adopted, Council will introduce the new branding in a staged and cost-effective way over the coming four years. Initial changes will focus on Corporate signage, including fleet, along with updates to Council communications. Larger assets will be replaced or renewed over time.

The Southern Limestone Coast Council name connects Council to our region and our place in the world. This solves the key challenge around “Where is Grant?” and leans into the strong recognition of the beauty and productivity of the District.

The logo is inspired by limestone, the natural rugged coastline, and the circular form seen in our natural environment such as sinkholes, tree rings, volcano and flowers. It is an abstract representation of the Council area made up of 32 stones representing our 32 townships and localities.

If adopted, Council will introduce the new branding in a staged and cost-effective way over the coming four years. Initial changes will focus on Corporate signage, including fleet, along with updates to Council communications. Larger assets will be replaced or renewed over time.

If adopted, the rebranding will have a minimal impact on property rates across the district. 

The District Council of Grant is historically a lower-rating Council. The proposed 6.00% rate increase for the 2026-2027 financial year is not driven by the rebrand, but reflects consideration to current world conditions and investment in several major strategic projects, including the Mount Gambier & District Saleyards Transformation and the Coastal Inundation Trial.

If adopted, the name and branding will change but Council’s core purpose and commitments 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, businesses, and stakeholders.

To submit an original logo, please contact Council on (08) 8721 0444 and ask to speak to one of the nominated Council staff below, who will provide an application form and Terms & Conditions:

Communications and Active Living Officer Chloe Rattray.
Strategy and Governance Coordinator Mary Irwin
Executive Assistant Fiona McGregor