The City of Adelaide is the gateway to Australia, and the home of the oldest municipality in the country.  Not only is Adelaide strategically located near the Centre of the network of major Capital Cities in Australia, but it is easy to get to from almost anywhere in the world. 

Founded in 1836 by Colonel William Light, Adelaide is a city which by world standards is small with just over 1 million residents, but it has big city facilities and style while maintaining the safe, clean, affordable, comfortable and convenient lifestyle of a small city.  Adelaide is also renowned for its friendly, helpful people, one in four of whom are immigrants representing 130 different ethnic backgrounds.

The City sits on the shores of the Gulf of St Vincent on a wide plain surrounded by green rolling hills under a blue clean sky with average daily temperatures of 25 degrees.  It is a city that blends picturesque wide and sunny boulevards with charming, bustling streets.

Adelaide is a vibrant, energetic, artistic City and an intelligent learning city where education has always played a key role.  The quality and diversity of the programs offered at the city's universities and wide range of public and private institutions of further education and research in the city centre give Adelaide an outstanding competitive advantage in the provision of educational services.

Indeed, Adelaide's wide ethnic and cultural background and friendly inclusive people make it the premier destination for overseas visitors.

Michael Harbison, Lord Mayor of Adelaide, has been a Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor since 1998; he was elected Lord Mayor in 2003 and 2007.

Adelaide has been rated as one of the world's top 5 cities in which to live for lifestyle, (Economist Intelligence Unit's Liveability Survey 2005) and Lord Mayor Harbison is passionate in fulfilling his vision for Adelaide to be known globally as Australia’s most liveable city.

His community involvement in Adelaide includes being the founding Board member of Adelaide 21 and founding Chairman of the East End Coordination Group, (a combination of representatives whose businesses make up the exciting and vibrant East End Precinct in Adelaide). 

Michael Harbison's community involvement is extensive and varied, and includes being a past-Chairman of SA Rowing Club and a Governor of the renowned Adelaide Festival of Arts.

His entry into local government began in 1998 when elected as Councillor to Adelaide City Council.   Over the past five years, Michael as Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor has chaired several Council committees including the Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee and the former Development Assessment Panel.

On 12 May 2003, Michael Harbison was elected Lord Mayor of Adelaide.  In his capacity as Lord Mayor, Michael Harbison wants to revitalise Adelaide and make it a more vibrant and exciting city, one that offers more opportunities and a better lifestyle for all.  He stood for Lord Mayor because he and his wife, Kathy, want a better future for their four children in Adelaide. 

He supports increased development in the CBD, assistance for small business in the city and better management of car parking in the City.  Michael is committed to the protection of our Park Lands and environment and is Chair of the Adelaide Park Lands Committee.  Safety is also paramount, and Michael will continue to support the Dry Zone for the City Centre and ensure increased street lighting.

As a full-time working Lord Mayor, Michael Harbison is providing strong leadership in Council to benefit the City of Adelaide.