Gawler Council votes to seek public feedback on proposed changes to its boundaries
Gawler Council has voted to pursue boundary changes with several neighbouring districts. Thousands of residents are going to be asked if they want to change councils — or stay put. SEE THE MAP
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GAWLER Council will seek public support to change its boundaries to incorporate fast-growing areas belonging to three other councils.
Mayor Karen Redman has won her council’s backing to work with senior staff to seek official approval to take over Hewett and Concordia and parts of Evanston Park, Hillier, Kalbeeba and Gawler Belt.
Elected members voted 6-3 to seek public feedback about its proposed changes before lodging a formal application with the SA Boundaries Commission.
While one dissenting councillor, Ian Tooley, described the boundary reforms as an “ego trip” by Ms Redman and chief executive Henry Inat, councillors agreed residents in neighbouring districts which used Gawler’s services should pay rates like the town’s 23,000 residents.
A report prepared by Mr Inat for a special council meeting called to discuss the boundary changes said it was important Gawler learnt lessons from the suburb of Hewett, which had been built on its northern border by the Lower Light Council.
“For many years council has been providing for a community that is much larger than its local government area,” said the report.
“While this has provided a great opportunity to showcase Gawler and all it has to offer, it has also put strain on Gawler’s ratepayers, with council investing in significant infrastructure and services for the benefit of all.”
Gawler’s population was expected to grow to 32,000 by 2036, with neighbouring areas such as Roseworthy and Concordia predicted to have a further 25,000 to 35,000 people.
“With major developments planned and happening on council’s doorstep, and ongoing pressure for service delivery from council within a limited rate base, it is important to consider the matter of boundary reform strategically,” the report said.
Ms Redman said the report had confirmed the “time was right” to seek boundary changes as Gawler’s nearest neighbours experienced rapid population growth.
“We are one of the fastest growing local government areas in South Australia and the major service centre for the lower mid-north,” Ms Redman said.
“We want to make sure we’re prepared for the pressures that accompany rapid population growth, including increased demand on infrastructure and services.”
She said thousands of people living on Gawler’s outskirts in areas such as Hewett, Hillier, Gawler Belt and Kalbeeba were using council-owned facilities such as its library, aquatic centre and various sporting clubs but paid rates to other councils.
“For a number of areas outside our local government boundary, we are the closest regional town, so residents are already utilising our services and facilities,” she said. “In effect, we’re already one community. With a boundary realignment we’ll be able to formalise our relationship.
“This will allow all voices to be heard in decisions being made about the facilities and services already being enjoyed, so it just makes sense.”
Ms Redman said some of the changes that Gawler was seeking were minor boundary adjustments while others, like Hewett, involved taking control of a developing suburb with 2500 residents.
“At the moment we’re looking at the viability of the proposal and there’s still a lot of work to be done, including consulting with our community,” said Ms Redman.
“We believe the time is right for council to start the conversation around boundary reform for Gawler, both in a historic sense and in terms of urban growth for the region.”
Barossa Council already has voiced its objections to any moves by Gawler to take over Concordia, which is projected to have 20,000 residents within the next two decades.
Light Regional Council, which built Hewett in the 1970s, also has indicated it is unwilling to surrender the suburb in its entirety.
AREAS OF INTEREST
CONCORDIA
Concordia is within the Barossa Council and earmarked for large-scale residential development. 984ha in size, it is bounded by the North Para River to the north-west and Gawler to the southwest.
Its closest point is 730m from Gawler’s main street, Murray St, but 9km from Lyndoch, its nearest township in the Barossa, and 30km from Nurioopta, where the council is located.
Concordia has the capacity for 9785 houses, with a population of 20,000.
Gawler Council wants official input into the development of a masterplanned community in the area. The move is being resisted by Barossa Council, which wants to have control over the project — and the rate revenue it will generate.
KALBEEBA
While most of Kalbeeba — located in low foothills east of Gawler — is zoned for primary production, there are two sections where residential development has been permitted.
The largest has become the Springwood Estate, where 80 per cent is within the Gawler Council and 20 per cent is within the Barossa Council.
Separated by a high pressure gas pipeline, the development can accommodate about 130 houses. The area has become the subject of various disputes between the two councils and the State Government over infrastructure, particularly the Gawler East Link.
The new road will bypass Gawler to the Barossa.
HEWETT
Light Regional Council started developing the suburb of Hewett on Gawler’s northern doorstep in the early 2000s.
It is approximately 144ha, with 900 homes and 2500 residents. Several pockets remain to be developed.
The suburb sits beside Gawler, separated by the Horrocks Highway. Its residents use Gawler Town Centre – 2km away – for shopping and other council facilities such as the library, aquatic centre and sporting clubs for recreation. By comparison, the nearest town in Light Regional Council is Kapunda, 30km away.
GAWLER BELT
Sitting beside Willaston in the Light Regional Council, Gawler Belt is approximately 1000ha of rural land with around 940 people. Many Gawler students go there to attend Xavier College. There are no public facilities, so residents use Gawler’s shops, parks and sporting facilities.
EVANSTON PARK
Evanston Park is split between Gawler Council and Playford Council. The boundary goes through nine properties. A change would see 24 properties, mainly in the Hills Face Zone, moved into Gawler.
HILLIER
While most of Hillier sits within Gawler Council, there are 23 properties within Playford Council between Angle Vale Rd, Gawler River and Northern Expressway. Gawler wants to take over all of Hillier.