Boundary report suggests amalgamation of Adelaide Hills and Mount Barker Councils
A report commissioned by the Adelaide Hills Council flags a possible merger with Mt Barker Council – but the latter says the two are too different.
Adelaide Hills
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A super-council could be created under proposed boundary reforms seeking to realign the Adelaide Hills into a “shared community of interest”.
A Strategic Boundary Review Report, commissioned by the Adelaide Hills Council, has flagged the potential for amalgamation with the Mount Barker District Council.
The proposal would affect about 75,000 residents, including 35,300 ratepayers, and help generate an annual rates revenue of about $66m.
It is one of multiple boundary options highlighted in the report, which includes the acquisition of 661 properties from the Onkaparinga, Tea Tree Gully, Mitcham, Playford, Mid Murray and Mount Barker councils.
The report states that this would help overcome the dissection of a number of townships with properties in two or more council regions, such as Verdun and Mount Torrens.
Adelaide Hills Council deputy mayor Nathan Daniell said the report would help identify future opportunities for the region and would be formally adopted during tonight’s meeting.
“We’re in the early stages of the review report, which means we’re currently looking at what the options are … which may be amalgamation,” he said.
“The next step is reviewing the merits of some of those (options) if the elected body feels that we should do so.
“This is something that will happen over the next few years and we will do so in consultation with other councils, which have all received a copy of the report prior to it being made public.”
Mount Barker Mayor Ann Ferguson said her council was likely to support the realignment of certain localities but not amalgamation.
She said she did not believe that the two councils shared common values and goals.
“I can’t see any similarities between Adelaide Hills Council and Mount Barker Council – as we are very much a can-do council,” Ms Ferguson said.
“We’re a council where people come and present an idea and if it creates employment and opportunity for the city, then we consider it.
“We don’t stop development, we encourage it because we want employment … whereas in Stirling and Crafers they don’t want any of that.
“So, I think we’re like chalk and cheese and an amalgamation just doesn’t make sense, but I do agree that there are some things that could be done for the benefit of both councils.”
A special council workshop on the review report will be conducted in the first quarter of 2021.