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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Gawler - South has an estimated 24,499 residents, up from 21,662 at the 2021 Census — a change of 2,837 people, or 13.1%. Growth has averaged 2.4% a year over five years, faster than 80% of areas nationally. 780 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 79.4% of that increase. That puts 319 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic assessment from AreaSearch estimates the community of Gawler - South at approximately 24,499 residents as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 2,837 individuals (13.1%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 21,662. The calculation incorporates an ABS estimated resident population of 24,176 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 780 validated new addresses added post-Census. With a resultant settlement density of 319 persons per square kilometer, the locality affords generous space per inhabitant as well as capacity for future expansion. Outpacing both Greater Adelaide and broader South Australia (7.7%), Gawler - South's 13.1% post-2021 Census expansion establishes it among the premier regional growth corridors.
Inflow from interstate migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 79.4% of total population additions in recent times. Forecast modeling by AreaSearch utilizes 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia datasets for SA2 boundaries based on 2022 benchmarks. Where locations lack coverage or extend beyond 2032, projections draw upon 2023 SA State Government Regional/LGA age-cohort releases (built on 2021 inputs) converted via weighted LGA-to-SA2 aggregation methods. Projected demographic shifts position the locality within the upper quartile of areas evaluated by AreaSearch, with anticipated expansion of 8,890 persons through to 2041 relative to baseline annual ERP metrics, representing cumulative 16-year growth of 35.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
1,172 new dwellings have been approved in Gawler - South over the past five years, an average of 234 a year. That places the area in the 93rd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 10 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 235 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 92% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential planning approvals across Gawler - South have averaged approximately 234 homes annually, culminating in 1,172 authorized dwellings over the last 5 financial years. Inflow has averaged 2.3 new residents per dwelling each year across the previous 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), sustaining underlying asset values. Construction costs average $295,000 per dwelling, sitting below broader regional benchmarks to provide cost-effective entry points for purchasers. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $33.1 million during this financial year, underscoring solid non-residential construction activity. Per capita residential construction in Gawler - South stands at roughly three-quarters the level seen across Greater Adelaide, placing the district at the 84th percentile among all evaluated Australian localities.
Building approvals consist of 92.0% separate houses and 8.0% attached dwellings or apartments, preserving an open suburban character that appeals to buyers prioritizing space. A metric of approximately 111 residents per approved dwelling underlines the district's expansion profile. Long-term projections indicate that Gawler - South will absorb 8,567 additional people by 2041 (benchmarked against the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch). While current construction rates align with expected population influx, incoming demand could tighten market conditions over time.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Gawler - South
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 30 current infrastructure and development projects inside Gawler - South, worth an estimated $9.59 billion. A further 73 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $24.7 billion. 48 are already under construction and 55 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Capital investments and public infrastructure works play a pivotal role in shaping community development. AreaSearch has tracked 22 significant projects influencing the district. Major undertakings include the Miravale Estate, the Curtis Road and Heaslip Road Intersection Upgrade, The Entrance Estate, and Blakes Crossing, with primary initiatives detailed in the accompanying schedule.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Karbeethan Reserve Regional Sporting Precinct Redevelopment
Multi-stage redevelopment of Karbeethan Reserve into a regional sports hub serving the Gawler growth corridor. Stage 1 provided upgraded baseball, softball, and soccer pitches with LED lighting and new changerooms, with Stage 2 delivering a new two-storey clubhouse, match-day amenities, and expanded community recreation spaces.
Woodvale Masterplanned Estate
Woodvale is a 12-hectare masterplanned residential community in Gawler South comprising approximately 140 benched allotments[cite: 1]. Developed by Greenhill Australia, the project delivers landscaped reserves, active transport trails, and modern civil infrastructure near Gawler town centre[cite: 1]. Civil construction and staged lot releases are currently progressing[cite: 1].
Gawler Town Centre Structure Plan & Streetscape Revitalisation
The Town of Gawler Council is implementing the Gawler Town Centre Structure Plan and Streetscape Revitalisation along heritage Murray Street. The project features widened pedestrian footpaths, custom heritage lighting, outdoor dining activations, smart traffic management, and urban greenery. It preserves the unique historic identity of Gawler while stimulating local economic vibrancy and pedestrian access.
Aspire Masterplanned Estate
Aspire is a masterplanned residential community by Lanser Communities adjacent to Trinity College and STARplex Centre in Evanston South[cite: 1]. The development delivers over 360 residential allotments across multiple staged releases, featuring landscaped open space reserves, direct pedestrian connectivity to local schools, and integrated infrastructure[cite: 1].
Curtis Road and Heaslip Road Intersection Upgrade
Construction of a new dual-lane roundabout at the Curtis Road and Heaslip Road intersection in Angle Vale, replacing one of South Australia's riskiest junctions as voted by the RAA community survey. The $30 million project is jointly funded 50:50 by the Australian and South Australian governments via the Commonwealth Housing Support Program Priority Works Stream. Early works commenced mid-June 2025, with full construction expected to complete by mid-2026. The upgrade will improve safety and reduce congestion for approximately 15,500 vehicles per day, and support approximately 700 new homes in nearby residential developments in Adelaide's northern growth corridor.
Orleana Waters Masterplanned Community Expansion
Devine Communities is expanding the Orleana Waters masterplanned residential development along Coventry Road and Orleana Boulevard in Evanston Gardens. The expansion delivers hundreds of new residential allotments, landscaped lake parklands, modern playgrounds, and extensive walking trail connections. It caters to family housing demand in Adelaide's northern growth corridor near the Gawler rail line.
Springwood Gawler East Masterplanned Community
A $500M+ masterplanned community in Gawler East designed for 2,000 homes, featuring dedicated village retail precincts, school reserves, extensive parks, and integrated stormwater/road infrastructure.
Bliss Estate Evanston Gardens
Bliss Estate is a proposed masterplanned residential subdivision across an 11.27-hectare site in Evanston Gardens. The project is planned to deliver approximately 200 residential allotments and associated local infrastructure within the Town of Gawler growth corridor.
11,534 residents of Gawler - South are employed, from a labour force of 12,076. Unemployment sits at 4.5%, with participation at 59.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 22,366, about 91% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour force across Gawler - South demonstrates an even mix of white and blue collar vocations alongside substantial employment in essential services. Overall unemployment sits at 4.5%, with annual job creation estimated at 0.6%. As of March 2026, working residents count 11,534 individuals. The local jobless rate exceeds Greater Adelaide's 3.8% by 0.7%, while the regional participation rate of 66.4% markedly surpasses the local level of 59.9%. Census records indicate that only 7.6% of workers operated from home, though prevailing Covid-19 restrictions at the time should be acknowledged.
Work in the locality is mainly found in health care and social assistance, retail trade, and construction sectors. Manufacturing stands out as a specialized field, with employment levels reaching 1.3 times the regional average. Meanwhile, professional and technical occupations account for only 4.2% of the local workforce, which is lower than Greater Adelaide's 7.3%. The ratio of the census working population to the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities may be restricted. AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM figures indicates that throughout the 12 months leading to March 2026, local employment grew by 0.6% alongside a 1.0% expansion in the labour pool, elevating unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. Across Greater Adelaide over the identical timeframe, workforce numbers expanded by 4.0%, employment rose by 4.2%, and unemployment dropped by 0.2 percentage points. Forward-looking national forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context regarding sector-level trends. Over five-year and ten-year horizons, nationwide employment is projected to expand by 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, with performance varying widely across industries. Applying these baseline sector growth rates to Gawler - South's existing workforce profile suggests potential local employment gains of 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Gawler - South is $1,336 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $697 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,681 a year against an average of $62,319. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxation data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates a median taxpayer income of $55,681 and an average of $62,319 across the Gawler - South SA2, trailing nationwide benchmarks while comparing against Greater Adelaide's median of $54,808 and average of $66,852. Factoring in 10.17% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, indexed values reach approximately $61,344 (median) and $68,657 (average) as of March 2026. Across household, family, and individual brackets, Census measures position local earnings between the 22nd and 27th percentiles across Australia. Income distribution shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket holding the largest share at 30.9% of residents (7,570 people), closely mirroring the 31.8% recorded across the wider region.
High living costs leave households with 84.1% of disposable income post-housing, ranking at the 23rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Gawler - South had 8,669 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 81% detached houses and 1% apartments. 40% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $285 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,400 a month. Rent absorbs 21.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to Census findings, the residential fabric in Gawler - South comprises 80.9% separate houses alongside 19.1% alternative formats such as townhouses, apartments, and other dwellings, compared to Adelaide metro distributions of 75.2% and 24.9% respectively. Outright home ownership matches metropolitan benchmarks at 30.7%, while 40.3% of homes carry a mortgage and 29.0% are rented. Median housing costs remain notably competitive: monthly mortgage payments sit at $1,400 versus $1,562 across metropolitan Adelaide and an Australian average of $1,863, while median weekly rent stands at $285 compared to $320 in Adelaide metro and $375 nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Gawler - South counted 8,669 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 9,804 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the majority of local living arrangements at 68.0%, comprising 27.6% couples without children, 25.0% couples with children, and 14.5% single parent families. Non-family residences make up the remaining 32.0%, dominated by lone person households at 29.5% and group households at 2.5%. The typical household contains 2.4 people, slightly below the Greater Adelaide metric of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.3% of adults in Gawler - South hold a university qualification, including 10.9% with a bachelor degree and 2.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.5% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 4,954 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 998 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment profiles show 15.3% of residents holding higher education degrees, lagging behind the nationwide benchmark of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees constitute the primary university qualification at 10.9%, accompanied by postgraduate qualifications at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational training represents a core strength, with 40.1% of the population aged 15+ possessing technical qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (29.5%). Formal study engagement is substantial across the community, with 26.3% of inhabitants currently attending educational institutions. This cohort includes 9.9% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 4.1% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Gawler - South reaches 134 stops on 24 routes, timetabled for about 1,100 services a week. The typical home sits about 270 m from its nearest stop. Trains carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The transit network in Gawler - South includes 134 active bus and train stops connected across 24 distinct routes, delivering 1,086 weekly passenger services. Commuter access is favorable, with an average distance of 268 meters to the closest stop. Outbound commuting prevails in this predominantly residential area, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of journeys and vehicle ownership standing at 1.4 per home. Working from home was recorded by 7.6% of residents during the 2021 Census under prevailing pandemic conditions. Transit services provide an average frequency of 155 trips per day across the network, representing approximately 8 weekly trips per individual stop.
The accompanying mapping highlights the 100 closest stops relative to the geographic midpoint.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.7% of residents in Gawler - South report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 86% of areas nationally. 8.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations of chronic illness and mortality metrics by AreaSearch point to significant public health hurdles across Gawler - South, with notable health condition prevalence across older and younger demographics alike. Private health insurance coverage is held by approximately 50% of residents (~12,347 people), sitting below Greater Adelaide (52.7%) and the Australian average (55.7%). Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the leading reported diagnoses, impacting 10.4% and 10.9% of the population respectively, while 59.7% of residents reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 67.9% throughout Greater Adelaide. Elevated rates of chronic illness affect the working-age cohort.
Seniors aged 65 and over account for 22.2% of the community (5,438 people), surpassing the 19.1% proportion recorded in Greater Adelaide, with overall elder health metrics tracking close to nationwide averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Gawler - South is largely Australian-born, at 81.7% of residents, with 5.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (36.1%) and Australian (28.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural homogeneity is prominent throughout Gawler - South, where 81.7% of the populace is Australian-born, 91.6% hold Australian citizenship, and 94.8% speak exclusively English in the home. Christianity represents the predominant religious affiliation at 43.3%. The most distinct variation appears in the Other religious category, which accounts for 0.6% locally versus 1.8% across Greater Adelaide. Parental lineage data identifies English as the most common ancestry at 36.1% of the populace (compared to 27.8% regionally), followed by Australian at 28.2% (against 22.8% regionally), and German at 6.8%. Other ancestral backgrounds show varying proportions, including Dutch at 1.5% (versus 1.2% across the wider region), Italian at 3.0% (versus 5.2%), and Maltese at 0.4% (matching the regional 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Gawler - South is 42. 25.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of Gawler - South closely aligns with Greater Adelaide, with age bracket distributions diverging by no more than 3.2 percentage points. As of August 2026, the estimated median age is 42, matching the 2021 Census figure and exceeding the Greater Adelaide Census median of 39 by 3 years. The middle-aged and mature adult cohort (45 - 64) has decreased from 25.7% at the Census to an estimated 23.4%. By 2041, senior brackets (65+) are projected to experience the strongest numerical expansion, climbing by 3,065 residents (56%) to reach 8,504.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Gawler - South
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 34 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 780 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (21,662 at the 2021 Census → 24,499 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (402011026). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.