Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran has slammed that state’s Local Government Association.

The outspoken councillor accused the LGA of being out-of-touch and “divorced” from the real lives of ratepayers, and wants the council to break away from the group.

She blamed the LGA of SA in part for the poor public perception of councils, which she says is at an “all-time low”.

Cr Moran said the LGA had not protected councils when the State Government stripped their planning responsibilities and “removed democracy from communities”.

“The conversation has to be had because it has been years since the LGA has been relevant,” Cr Moran said.

“There has been no leadership from the LGA, their budgets have blown out, they are spending it on things like delegations overseas, sister city nonsense.

“It seems the LGA is now caught up in matters very divorced from the everyday problems and struggles of the ratepayer and of little help or support to the average council or councillor.”

Lord Mayor Martin Haese disagrees, saying the council’s involvement with the LGA was “important for many reasons”.

He pointed to the LGA’s efforts to protect local heritage, hosting of economic forums and securing of local government representation on government boards as evidence of its benefits.

“In particular, the LGA provides an effective conduit for mayors and councillors to collaborate on a wide range of matters affecting their communities,” Mr Haese said.

The LGA has not commented.