Council and Politics

23 Apr 2025

Million dollar upgrade for Bollen Road

Just under $1m has been secured from the Federal Government to fund a new 1.1km trail for cyclists and pedestrians along Bollen Road. The Mt Barker Council has received $977,000 for the $1.99m trail from the Government’s Active Transport Fund and...

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National award for emergency response leader

Long-serving Adelaide Hills Council staff member John McArthur has been awarded a National Emergency Medal, for leading the council’s response to the Cudlee Creek bushfire in 2019/20. Formerly the council’s manager of waste, emergency...

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Visitor impact: call for return of visitor centre

Hahndorf business owners are calling on the Mt Barker Council to bring the local visitor centre back to the town after the service transitioned online last year. The Adelaide Hills Visitor Information Service was located at the Hahndorf Academy, but...

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News

Gather game handballed

Mt Barker Mayor David Leach has ruled out bidding to host a Gather Round game at the Summit Sport and Recreation Park for at least three years following the weekend’s fixtures in the Barossa. Speaking to The Courier this week, Mr Leach said he...

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Bid to protect Hills farming land fails

Member for Kavel Dan Cregan has hit out at the State Opposition after it voted with the State Government to knock back a Bill aimed at protecting “high value” farming land in the Hills from mining. The Mining (Land Access Inquiry...

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09 Apr 2025

News

Coalition raises Labor’s bypass pledge

A Coalition Federal Government would fund 80% of a freight bypass around the Hills – upping Labor’s 50% funding promise – also vowing that works would begin this year. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton this week promised $840m for the project, if...

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09 Apr 2025

Controversy over pontoon plan

Plans to install a new pontoon for the lake at Woorabinda Bushland Reserves have been blasted by a local volunteer conservation group, which says it will encourage activities that impact wildlife. The Friends of Woorabinda Bushland Reserves wrote to...

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02 Apr 2025

New councillor elected for Mt Barker’s Central Ward

Small business owner Janette Size has been elected to the Mt Barker Council at a supplementary election. The Mt Barker resident attracted 25% (828) first preference votes, more than double that of second-place candidate Jimiur Pathan. She will...

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02 Apr 2025

News

Bypass concerns: questions remain around freight bypass funding

Concerns have been raised about a $525m Federal Government commitment to deliver a freight bypass around the Hills, as Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie and the SA Road Transport Association (SARTA) demand more details. The funding was included in last...

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02 Apr 2025

Rooster ban ruffles feathers

Local residents have criticised a Mt Barker Council decision to ban roosters from properties within townships. Roosters older than two months of age can no longer be kept on a property within a town, or kept within 100 metres of a neighboring...

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26 Mar 2025

Pay dispute: councillors want Mayor to forgo leave payments

Dr Wisdom declined to respond to questions from The Courier

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26 Mar 2025

The Mount Barker Courier

Rental properties still pricey in the Hills

A local property expert says that some renters are being priced out of the Hills, with rental prices continuing to increase despite “slightly” steadying in the past six months. According to realestate. com. au, median rental prices at Mt Barker...

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