Angry Adelaide councils are considering leaving the Local Government Association of South Australia, as they believe they are not getting any benefit from their fees.

The councils of Tea Tree Gully, Salisbury, Port Adelaide Enfield and Marion have raised concerns over their membership fees to the peak body, saying that the more than $90,000 they pay each year could be better spent.

Marion’s fee of $96,000 is the highest fee in the state, with Port Adelaide Enfield second ($93,000), while Tea Tree Gully and Salisbury each paid $90,000, also among the highest in the state.

“I think the LGA is just another bureaucracy and they don’t do enough to support councils,” Tea Tree Gully’s Cr Lucas Jones told News Corp reporters.

Cr Brian Massey said the LGA was not in touch with residents.

“Over 15 years we’ve had a fairly unquestioning response to the LGA... I don’t think it’s wrong to put a spotlight on (the LGA),” Cr Massey.

Tea Tree Gully is putting together a report into whether it is getting adequate value from it annual membership fees, and whether there is any legislative requirement for it to remain a member.

Marion Council says it wants a refund on it “excessive” fees, and will ask the LGA to review its modelling.

But LGA President and Prospect Mayor David O’Loughlin has dismissed the concerns, saying the LGA provides exemplary benefits for the fee.

“There is no doubt in my mind that all councils get benefits well in excess of their subscriptions both in direct financial savings, and in avoidance of work they would otherwise they would have to undertake locally, particularly in the area of lobbying for legislation change for the betterment of local communities,” Mr O’Loughlin told News Corp reporters.

“Working together, as a collective, we speak, act and even purchase with strength.”

Cr O’Loughlin said the LGA of SA handed out $5 million in performance bonuses and savings to councils this year.

“It is difficult to understand how a member council could justify to their ratepayers how they would be better off legislatively or financially if they were not a member of the LGA,” he said.