SA corruption watchdog to probe council

South Australia's anti-corruption watchdog will probe an Adelaide council following a number of complaints about the organisation.

Deputy Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Michael Riches said an evaluation will be conducted into the City of Playford's practices, policies and procedures.

"It is critical that (the council's) functions are carried out appropriately and in a manner that is free of corruption, misconduct and maladministration," he said on Wednesday.

"An evaluation is a useful means of gaining an in depth understanding of a public authority's operations and how it guards against risks of corruption, misconduct and maladministration."

Mr Riches said the evaluation is not an investigation of individual conduct, and if matters of concern are identified they were be dealt with separately.

He said the Office for Public Integrity had received a number of complaints and reports about the council.

The public will be invited to make submissions to the inquiry, and the evaluation may be broadened in light of the information received.

The announcement comes after the council's former chief executive, Mal Hemmerling, was last stood down for alleged bullying and misconduct.

Mr Riches said he hopes to deliver a report to parliament by the end of the year.

"I am hopeful that my report, together with any recommendations made, will be of assistance not only to the City of Playford but to the 67 other local councils in South Australia," he said.