Murray Bridge residents are being asked how $3.45 million in proceeds from the sale of Lerwin Residential Care should be spent to create a lasting legacy for the region.
The Rural City of Murray Bridge (RCMB) has launched a 21-day public engagement process this week, inviting community members to help determine who should benefit from the funds, what outcomes should be prioritised, and whether a permanent community fund should be established.
Mayor Wayne Thorley described the windfall as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”.
“The decisions made now have the potential to create positive outcomes for our community for many years to come, which is why it is so important that we hear from as many people as possible,” Mayor Thorley said.
The funds have been set aside since the sale was finalised in November 2025, when the council accepted an unsolicited offer from Western Australian operator Roshana Care Group to take over the facility.
Documents previously reported by Murray Bridge News revealed that a council subcommittee spent roughly two years reviewing the facility’s future behind closed doors. While councillors originally voted in December 2024 to consult the public regarding Lerwin’s future, that consultation was never enacted before the final sale deal went through.
Some elected members openly criticised the lack of transparency. In response, council maintained that keeping negotiations strictly confidential was necessary to protect vulnerable residents and staff from prolonged uncertainty, and to avoid jeopardising the commercial transaction.
The facility holds deep historical significance for the region, having been built entirely through local community fundraising and donations before ownership was transferred to the council in 1984.
How to Have Your Say
The current consultation is intended to guide how the proceeds can benefit the community over the long term.
Some uses are not being considered as part of the engagement as they would provide a short-term benefit, are already supported through other funding, or are the responsibility of other levels of government. These include rate rebates or reductions, paying down debt and general asset and infrastructure maintenance.
Residents can complete the survey on council’s Let’s Talk Murray Bridge portal or provide feedback in person at the Local Government Centre, Murray Bridge Library or Murraylands Skills Centre.
Submissions close at 5pm on the 4th of November 2026.
