The Barossa Local Service Area (BALSA) encompasses the Barossa Valley and Gawler Districts and comprises of 2 major patrol bases located at Nuriootpa and Gawler as well as the 6 out stations of Freeling, Kapunda, Mount Pleasant, Mallala, Two Wells and Williamstown. The LSA has a radius of 3,100 square kilometres.

The headquarters of the Barossa LSA is located at the Nuriootpa Police Complex, 61 Murray Street, Nuriootpa. Services provided from this station include Criminal Justice, Crime Scene, Crime Prevention, Planning and Intelligence.

The Barossa Highway Patrol, stationed at the Gawler Police Station, provides a highway patrol function for Barossa LSA. The CIB unit is also stationed within this station.

The region within the Barossa LSA has been recognised as one of the fastest growing areas in the State with Planning SA estimates of the population growth exceeding 73,000 people by 2012.

The Barossa region rates as one of the most significant and popular tourist destinations within South Australia. Tourism SA research has shown that the region attracts more day trip visits than any other region with the exception of Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula. Premium wines, fine restaurants, magnificent old churches, wineries and cottages, traditional music, butchers and bakers, the seasonal change of the vineyards and the undulating hills are the core attractions.

Tourism SA figures show that in 2007, approximately 1,278,000 people visited the area (1,032,000 on day trips and 246,000 overnight). Of the overnight visitors to the area, almost 42% (103,000) were from interstate and overseas.

The LSA incorporates the local government areas of Barossa, Gawler, Mallala and Light Region Councils. Within the 3,100 square kilometres of the LSA, members provide a customer focused service approach to more than 65,280 residents.