Three SA councils, builder Kennett form $250m BuildTogether alliance

The Cities of Marion, Charles Sturt and Port Adelaide Enfield announced on 3 November 2026 a new alliance with Adelaide builder Kennett, aiming to cut construction costs and reduce delays across an estimated $250 million combined pipeline of community facility works over the next three years.

The alliance, called BuildTogether, follows a 12-month procurement process the councils ran under their earlier Build Big. Bid Smart. initiative, which asked the construction industry to pitch smarter ways to deliver major infrastructure. Kennett, a fourth-generation South Australian builder established in Adelaide in 1914 with more than 100 employees across its local operations, was selected as the alliance partner.

Work is already moving: Kennett is due to start site preparation at Marion’s new tennis courts on Sturt Road in the coming weeks, with mobilisation at the St Clair Community Facility expected in February 2027. Design work is also starting on Port Adelaide Enfield’s Port Reserve and Rushworth Reserve Clubroom projects.

Why it matters

By giving Kennett earlier visibility of the three councils’ upcoming projects, the alliance is designed to let the builder plan resources, subcontractors and schedules further ahead, reducing the uncertainty and avoidable delays that drive cost overruns on council-funded facilities. Each council keeps its own approval, funding and governance for individual projects; the alliance changes how the work is planned and delivered, not who signs off on it.

Mayor of Marion Kris Hanna said: “Construction costs have been rising dramatically. With this deal, we can save time and reduce costs for our building projects.”

Master Builders SA chief executive Will Frogley credited the three councils for working together to challenge traditional procurement processes, saying cutting duplication and unnecessary red tape was welcomed by the building industry.

The numbers

• $250 million: estimated value of the sport, recreation and community projects the alliance will coordinate across three years.
• 3 councils: Marion, Charles Sturt and Port Adelaide Enfield, each retaining its own project approvals and funding.
• 12 months: the procurement process that preceded Kennett’s engagement as alliance partner.
• 100+: Kennett’s employees across its South Australian operations and associated workforce.

What’s next

Kennett’s near-term work covers Marion’s Sturt Road tennis courts, the St Clair Community Facility and design on Port Adelaide Enfield’s Port Reserve and Rushworth Reserve clubrooms, with mobilisation continuing into early 2027. For South Australian subcontractors and suppliers, the alliance signals a steadier run of multi-council work through one builder rather than separate one-off tenders, with the councils noting Kennett works with SA suppliers and subcontractors, keeping the economic benefit local. It follows other Adelaide community-facility works such as the Golden Wattle Park sports building.