Our New LogoCouncil has adopted a new logo as part of a branding and marketing strategy to strengthen the progressive and growing nature of the District.

The rationale for the logo designInspired by the ubiquitous eucalyptus blossom, the new Mount Barker District Council brand delivers a fresh perspective on all that is enviable about the Mount Barker district. It speaks of nature, growth and freshness in a truly Australian context but also reflects the future and innovation.

The stamens represent the unique villages in the region, each unified but distinctive – thriving and reaching upwards. The brand also reinforces the intrinsic nature of the eucalyptus itself in our local hills’ character; from the ancient gums that tower over our country roads and tracks, to the new-growth seedlings that emerge resolutely after fire and drought.

In fact, the eucalyptus blossom evokes the very essence of the Mount Barker community: diverse, tenacious, united and flourishing, where progress is encouraged, nature preserved and heritage respected.

Council considers that the new logo is a distinctive and recognisable brand to promote the district and capture community sentiment about the natural and community attributes that are highly valued.

In this issue1 My Local Services App

2 New Dog Park

3 Strategic Plan

Event CalendarSunday 18 OctoberMeadows Country Fair

Sunday 25 OctoberCallington Show

Phone 8391 7200

www.dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Newsletter Winter 2015

District MattersA cold and foggy morning at Schroeder Rd, Hahndorf

My Local Services App

Find out what’s nearbyDiscover nearby council facilities such as parks, playgrounds and libraries. An inbuilt mapping application can then guide you to that spot.

Bin collectionsFind out which bin to put out and when.

Report issuesReport issues to us that require Council attention, it can be anything such as damaged bins, graffiti removal, illegal dumping.

Receive remindersReceive notifications direct to your phone as reminders for bin set-outs and when payments are due.

The District Council of Mount Barker has recently implemented a new App called “My Local Services”. Get local information, report issues and find out what’s near you!

It’s a fantastic FREE app that gives you easy access to information on your phone.

The App can be downloaded from www.lga.sa.gov.au/mylocal

The My Local Services App delivers local information, bin collection reminders, and a reporting feature for our community.

For more information please visit: www.lga.sa.gov.au/mylocal

A new local volunteer project has been developed by the District Council of Mount Barker to reduce barriers and to enhance the volunteering experience, “many council services could not be provided without the support of volunteers” said Mayor Ann Ferguson.

“In recognition of volunteers, we have developed a volunteer passport with volunteers who gift their time across organisations. This new passport records the skills and experiences of volunteers, as well as being a good reference point to verify their volunteering journey”.

Everyone knows how important volunteers are for their local community, “this passport supports people who are seeking paid employment and it opens up opportunities in other sectors,” added Julie Dayman, Volunteer Support Officer.

“The possibilities and applications are endless; we hope it will lead to exciting new adventures for volunteers locally, state and Australia wide. Young volunteers who have never been in paid employment could even use it as a stepping stone to paid employment”.

Interest has already been shown in the concept from neighbouring Councils and community organisations. The new passport has been designed and printed locally to resemble a normal passport. The passport can be configured to incorporate other organisation’s colour schemes and logos.

If you would like to find out more information, please contact Julie Dayman on 8393 6414 or email; jdayman@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

A new passport supporting volunteers

Mayor Ann Ferguson said the park stemmed from community requests for an "enclosed dog exercise area".

“This park is a big win for the community. It can be accessed from Zanker drive (car and pedestrian access) and Bluestone Drive (pedestrian access) near the new Bluestone Estate in Mount Barker.

"Council has worked closely with Electranet and delivered a great result at no cost for the land," Mayor Ferguson added.

An official opening was held on 26 July, featuring a barbecue, free pet photo sessions, a GoPro Camera ‘doggy perspective’ video, dog freebies, stalls and an interactive trailer from the Dog and Cat Management Board.

Residents Jack and George Stone from Littlehampton were happy with the new fenced park and said it was "a great place to bring Venice our Whippet and see her run off-lead".

"I think the park is important because it provides a place for owners to exercise and socialise with their dogs and is cool that it has two areas for large and small dogs" Jack said.

Yet unnamed, the new doggy park features two shelters and seating, doggy bag dispensers, purpose built drinking fountains, a designated car park, dog exercise equipment, park furniture and paths.

Council’s Manager of Health & Public Safety, Jamie Tann, said the new park was proving to be very popular.

“Even before the park officially opened, people and dogs were using the facilities daily.

It’s a safe site to take your dog and has a pleasant view with landscaped garden beds and small water catchment areas along the path to Bluestone Estate”.

“The Million Paws Walk in Mount Barker is a huge success, so I would imagine there would be countless dog owners very pleased to hear the news that there is a designated park for their best friend”.

“We are still updating the new park and are looking for inspirational names from the community,” added Jamie Tann.

Dog registrations now due - last day to pay is 31 August 2015

A designated park for our best friend The first designated Dog Park in the District Council of Mount Barker is now open for ‘doggy’ business.

Please enjoy using the park, but please remember some basic good manners:

• Ensure you look after your dog while in the park

• If you do get there and feel the dogs in there are not friendly or out of control, then do not enter

• Dog parks are where you go to play and have fun, not be beaten up!

• Remember to pick up your dog poops so it doesn’t become a mine field

• Remember to do some training during that time so they listen!

• But most of all have fun! (woof woof bark ruff woof!)

Jack and George Stone with Venice the whippet

Update on the Main Street Projects Council is completing work on masterplans for two of the District’s iconic Main Streets. The community has provided valuable feedback and ideas on how to realise the potential of Gawler Street, Mount Barker and Main Road, Nairne.

The Master Plans will amongst other things, identify some key physical upgrades that are aimed at not only assisting business development but also improving the customer and visitor experience within both Main Streets.

The physical upgrades and the implementation of the Masterplans will be staged and influenced by external funding opportunities. Several short-term initiatives are planned for the 2015/16 financial year.

During April and May Council went out into

the community to get input into a new

Strategic Plan. We heard from over 400 people

in a variety of ways to capture their views of

the district and what they would like to see

happen in the future.

Activities conducted during this period

included:

Photo Booths – our Photo Booth was set up

at Mount Barker Central shopping centre

and workshop locations around the district.

Over 100 photos and short messages were

captured. We also took the photo booth to

Mount Barker High, Cornerstone and St Francis

De Salle colleges where over 50 young people

gave us their vision for the future

Workshops - We held workshops at Callington,

Mount Barker and Meadows, with Council’s

seniors’ forum ‘Top Hat’ and with the Mount

Barker ‘Crew’ a group of 5 skate park coaches.

Over 120 people attended these workshops.

On the bus – Consultants employed by

Council jumped on a bus from Mount Barker

to Adelaide to get input from our commuter

population. Over 40 people participated

in this process.

Surveys – people could also have input into

the Strategic Planning process by completing

a postcard or filling in an online questionnaire.

Over 140 people gave input this way.

What happens now?

All the feedback gathered has been recorded

and presented to Council. The reports are

available for viewing on Council’s website.

Information from the engagement process is

being used to draft the Strategic Plan which

will be considered by Council in the coming

months before being available for

community comment.

Keep your eye out for this process so that

you can check whether what you said is

reflected in the draft Plan.

The community has its say on the future of the DistrictWhat you said during the Strategic Plan engagement process

Mayor Ann Ferguson said the project is just one of a number of mature tree plantings Council has conducted for various reasons in recent years with the cost of this particular project approximately $8,500, “a negligible expense compared to the future social and economic benefit the trees will provide in the future.”

“In my opinion the street looks better already. I believe one of the best things to come out of it was that it was the first time some of the residents in the street had actually met.”

Council’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Stuart and Urban Forest Officer, Chris Lawry initiated the project and worked collaboratively with the residents.“It was a great success with many staying the entire day to get it done and helping other neighbours. It was a very rewarding outcome for all involved.”

“Trees are very important for the community for many reasons; they improve our lives by sustaining our health, environment and economy. The long-term benefits of urban trees have been proven worldwide.

“This is a great initiative for our residents. Communities that adopt tree programs improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of all residents”, added Chris Lawry.

It is intended to run a good spirited competition once a year to allow communities to come together and submit a competition entry to Council for consideration for the program. Council hopes to award this particular street tree planting program to 1-3 lucky streets per year.

Communities thrive on trees!Trees have aesthetic value and improve property values. Trees enhance their surroundings in many ways, planted correctly along roads and around buildings they provide a distraction for the eye, soften urban infrastructure, screen unsightly views. Trees raise the value of homes and property,

they also attract business and tourism.

SocialTrees promote positive human interaction. In urban precincts trees are the key ingredient in attracting people to an area to gather, meet and hang out a while. In well treed areas people tend to feel ownership over the world outside their front fence and there are lower incidents of crime in public areas activated by trees. Mental productivity and wellness is greatly enhanced by quality green space and tree scapes. Modern hospitals and other health institutions that incorporate trees, green space and natural interior finishes realise faster patient recovery times and shorter bed stays.

Economy It is well known that green spaces attract people and improve the environment. But did you know that trees also benefit the economy as well as our wellbeing? International studies show that trees enhance community economic development by attracting businesses and tourists. People tend to linger and shop longer along tree-lined streets. Urban trees lower temperatures through shade, properly placed trees can reduce cooling costs for a business and homes up to 50% (given the right scenario one tree can cool as much as five air conditioners running 20 hours a day).

Putting Trees to Work in Your Community

Protecting roadsShaded bitumen lasts longer than bitumen subject to large amounts of sun exposure where roads heat up exposing the emulsion and aggregate to faster displacement wear by vehicle traffic.

Community PrideThe condition of a community’s urban canopy cover and collectively its urban forests, is usually the first impression a community projects to its visitors. A community’s urban forest is an extension of its pride and community spirit.

Cleaner Air and WaterUrban trees sequester harmful gases that contribute to smog, acid rain, and the greenhouse effect. They intercept and absorb rainfall relieving peak storm water loads and reduce urban runoff. A direct local benefit of quality street trees in busy traffic precincts is the absorption of volatile organic compounds from fossil fuels and gases such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, and carbon monoxide. Street trees also capture toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead.

‘The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago – the next best time is now!’ (Chinese proverb)

Recently Council planted 47 mature Platanus orientalis var. insularis ‘Autumn Glory’ (Oriental Plane) trees along Ferguson Court in Mount Barker with the help of local residents as part of a pilot community development project.

The reconfigured intersection delivers substantial road safety benefits to the community and road users, including:

• Improved road safety of this area through protected right turns from Morphett Street into Walker Street (north and south legs).

• Provision of a painted central median to allow ad hoc right turning across Morphett Street into adjacent businesses.

• Improved pedestrian safety with a new road crossing and footpath connection across Morphett Street.

• Upgraded street lighting at the intersection and pedestrian crossing.

• Improved visibility through the red blades of the McDonalds restaurant.

Council secured grant funding from the Motor Accident Commission (MAC) Road Safety Fund of $50,000 towards the total project cost of $219,000. A second phase to this project is planned to take place within 3 to 4 months which will include an assessment of the changed traffic conditions and identify any further improvements.

Morphett/Walker Street Intersection Upgrade

This four way intersection was previously controlled with stop signs on the Walker Street approaches and complicated by Morphett Street having two running lanes towards the Adelaide Road traffic signals and a single lane in the opposite direction.

Immunisation is a simple and effective means of protecting children and adults against many diseases.

Council’s immunisation service offers a vaccination program that promotes informed choices and operates within best practice standards with specialist immunisation nursing staff.

Any resident can access our immunisation services and vaccines are free for children under 7 years and high school students.

Phone (08) 8391 7222 or visit www.dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au for details and appointments

SAVE LIVES FOR FREEIMMUNISE YOUR FAMILY AT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL

The District Council of Mount Barker is committed to maintaining stormwater infrastructure to minimise where possible the impacts of stormwater and potential for flooding. A minor stormwater capital works program has been developed to assist in prioritising and scheduling works throughout the district.

Work to upgrade the stormwater infrastructure to improve capacity and flows at Cook Street. Kanmantoo is nearing completion and includes construction of new stormwater lines, headwalls and stormwater inlets. A second stage of work will commence in August on Kent Road. The Stage 1 project cost was $70,000.

Installation of a replacement footbridge across the Nairne Creek at Jeffery Street is now complete, providing safe pedestrian access to and from Main Road.

The previous timber bridge installed in 1986, structurally failed during 2013 and required full replacement.

Total cost of the project including associated works was $120,000.

Jeffrey Street Nairne Footbridge

Kanmantoo Stormwater Works

Did you know its illegal to park on (or partly on) any nature strip or footpath? It is also illegal to park on a yellow line and within a bus zone at any time. Causing an obstruction in any of these cases is an offence and liable to

Councils are responsible for enforcing parking controls and

this is done to ensure the safety and convenience of ALL pedestrians

and motorists.

In the interests of everyone’s safety please use the ’Kiss and Drop’ zones at your school or find somewhere safe and legal to park.

fines being issued.

Morphett/Walker Street Intersection Upgrade

The District Council of Mount Barker required the Developer, CIC, to upgrade this intersection as part of their infrastructure obligations associated with the Bluestone Development. The operation at the intersection is the responsibility of the State Government and hence the final design layout and project management of the delivery of the works was the responsibility of the State Government.

The project encountered some delays due to wet weather and unexpected issues with ground water entering the new road base on Hurling Drive that delayed being the placement of the final surface. The road has remained at 40km/h speed limit as a specifically designed safety barrier is required to provide protection from the large stobie poles on Flaxley Road. Design modifications and long manufacturing timelines have delayed this final piece of the construction works.

Hurling Drive/Flaxley Road Intersection Upgrade

For more information please go to Council’s website www.dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au and go to Community>Parking

MOUNT BARKER DISTRICT COUNCIL Newsletter Winter 2015

Local Government Centre 6 Dutton Road Mount Barker

PO Box 54, Mount Barker, SA 5251

T 8391 7200 F 8391 7299

Websitewww.dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Emailcouncil@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Mayor Mayor Ann Ferguson, OAM, FAICD, JPT 8391 7264 M 0414 711 377 aferguson@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

North Ward Councillors Trevor Corbell, JP Nairne M 0408 685 759 tcorbell@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Jeff Bettcher, BBus, GDipAcct, FCPA Hahndorf M 0423 698 570 jbettcher@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Susan Hamilton, BVC, GDipFA Littlehampton T 8398 4742 shamilton@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Harry Seager Callington M 0409 622 382 hseager@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Central Ward Councillors Carol Bailey, BEM Mount Barker Springs T 8391 0916 cbailey@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Lindsay Campbell, CSM, JP Mount Barker M 0421 567 545 lcampbell@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Ian Grosser Mount Barker Springs M 0409 602 436 igrosser@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Trevor Keen Mount Barker M 0405 970 886 tkeen@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

South Ward Councillors Roger Irvine (Deputy Mayor) Macclesfield T 8388 9031 rirvine@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

Greg Morrison Prospect Hill M 0414 296 159 gmorrison@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au

The District Council of Mount Barker

Two of our long serving Local History Volunteers who have been with us since the 1990’s recently retired.

Enice Schroeder started volunteering in 1991 and has donated the District Council of Mount Barker over 2676 hours of her time. Our other volunteer, Marion Spencer commenced in 1998 and has donated in excess of 1829 hours. Thank you Enice and Marion!

Enice and Marion were nominated for the 2015 Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for outstanding volunteer service and both were successful. To acknowledge the ladies dedication and recognition from the Premier’s Department a special morning tea was held in the Local History section of the Mount Barker Community Library on 20 May 2015.

Local History Volunteers

Enice (left) and Marion (right)

With an increase in visitors to the Mount Barker Cemetery, there was a demand for a new public toilet to be installed. This new facility accommodates grieving visitors who wish to spend more time at the cemetery.

The new toilet is situated in close proximity to the new area of burial plots, with easy access and parking along the internal road.

The Rotary Club of Mount Barker and Kleeman Funerals have both kindly donated $10,000 and $1,000 respectively towards the project.

The project is in the final stages, with paths and roads adjacent to the amenity being upgraded. A garden bed of screening plants will also be established to grow and screen the south eastern side of the toilet and a commemorative plaque installed in front of the toilet.

New public convenience at Mount Barker Cemetery