South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is coming to the Adelaide Hills for Country Cabinet this month.
Following an invitation for Independent local member Dan Cregan, the Premier and his cabinet ministers are coming to the region on August 23 and 24 with an aim to understand the unique challenges and opportunities in Mount Barker and broader Adelaide Hills region.
It comes as Mount Barker is poised within the next decade to become the second-largest city in South Australia.
Speaking to ARN’s Jennie Lenman and Adam Connelly this morning, Premier Malinauskas said residents should not fear the town’s rapid growth.
“In no small parts, that growth is a reflection of the fact that it’s a great place to live. Word spreads pretty quickly in a state of our size and word is spreading that there’s an amazing community in and around Mount Barker and people want to be a part of it and that’s not a surprise,” Premier Peter Malinaukas said.
“I guess the challenge for Government is making sure that we’re preserving that sense of community and we’re making the investment and infrastructure so that growth doesn’t compromise a sense of community.”
When asked about the need to invest in the completion of the unfinished 11.2km Heysen Boulevard, set to eventually connect the town to the SE Freeway, the Premier said he is working with the Mount Barker Council to find a better solution than the current arrangement.
Currently, it could take years to complete as each major housing developer is required to pay a fee that will be used to pay for the section of the road that runs along their development.
“The way it has been constructed up to this point has been largely half-baked that denies the community a holistic infrastructure response. Now, that engagement that we’ve had from the Council over the last few months has been, I’ve gotta say, on all accounts exceptional, but we are now starting to reach crunch-time where we want to start making some key decisions on how this is addressed in future and Country Cabinet we’re having will enform what we do as a Government,” he said.
On Wednesday August 23 from 5pm the Premier is hosting a community BBQ and forum at the Mount Barker High School – all members of the public are welcome to attend.
The Mayor and Chief Executive Officer of both Adelaide Hills Council and Mount Barker District Council will then present to the Strategic Cabinet Meeting on Thursday 24 August at the Onkaparinga Valley Football Club.
Hear more from Premier Peter Malinaukas speaking with Jennie Lenman and Adam Connelly via the audio play window below:
