Issues Paper Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker and Alexandrina Country Cabinet, 14-15 September 2014 On 14 and 15 September 2014, the South Australian Cabinet visited the Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker and Alexandrina region. Over two days, Ministers travelled across the region to speak to locals about the issues that concerned them most. This document summarises the issues raised with the Government by the local community during this time. Issues identified spanned across a range of topics, affecting a large diversity of people. The following issues, listed by topic, were raised during the Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker and Alexandrina Country Cabinet: Transport, roads, infrastructure and planning Infrastructure and Planning The Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker and Alexandrina regions are experiencing significant population growth, particularly in and around the Mount Barker area. There is a high level of concern in the community about the planning processes and the pace of implementation of new infrastructure, as well as service provision to accommodate and support this expanding population. Changes to land zoning has caused significant concern in the region in recent years. It is felt that there is a need for a more strategic and engaged approach to infrastructure and land use planning. Specifically, it is felt that greater clarity is required regarding the planning, funding and implementation of critical urban infrastructure, such as waste water services, to support the significant expansion of housing in the Mount Barker area. Population growth across the region is placing significant pressure on primary producers due to increasing residential development in rural areas. These developments can place considerable constraints on farming operations and are constraining opportunities for primary producers to expand their operations. For example, the dairy industry is finding it difficult to cope with challenges such as increasing land prices. Many farmers are unable to access the capital they require to make the most of current higher milk prices, having borrowed heavily over recent years when prices were poorer. Concerns were raised regarding the need to upgrade or replace existing sport and recreational facilities and social infrastructure to
serve the expanding community. Such facilities would foster the development of local networks, enhance social capital and reduce reliance on Adelaide-based facilities. One example of this was the advocating from several community members for the development of a hockey pitch to replace existing facilities at the Adelaide Hills Hockey Club, which no longer meets required standards to host matches, forcing the club s players to travel to Adelaide for games. The rail freight line running through the region is of ongoing concern, particularly in light of the recent bushfire in Belair National Park started by sparks from a freight train. There were also comments made about noise and safety concerns associated with the current location of the freight line. Specifically, there were calls for the diversion of rail freight from Monarto to the North of Adelaide to replace the existing route. There were calls for power lines to be put underground in the region to reduce bushfire risk. There were also concerns raised about South Australia Power Networks route for the 66Kv power line that will be required to support urban growth in the Mount Barker area. Macclesfield RSL Sub-Branch requested funding support to help complete the construction of a War Memorial Garden and Veterans SA has awarded $5,340 to the project. Roads and Public Transport There is generally felt to be a lack of access and a narrow range of public transport options for people living in the Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker and Alexandrina region. It is also felt that a lack of public transport options in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu region is disadvantaging unemployed youth and other people seeking educational opportunities in the city. Issues of reliability, quality and cost were raised, with people in the region wanting access to a good quality, reliable and reasonably priced public transport system to enable them to commute around the region and into Adelaide with greater ease. Questions were raised about planning for improved public transport options to support the rapidly growing population in the Mount Barker area, such as a suggestion to extend passenger rail services to Mount Barker from Adelaide. The combination of heavy freight and increased commuter traffic on the South Eastern Freeway was a major concern for the region, particularly in light of recent fatalities at the intersection of the Freeway and Glen Osmond Road. Specifically, there have been calls for a third arrester bed to be located on the bottom section of the freeway as a means of preventing further fatalities.
The proposed Bald Hills interchange has broad community support, but some concerns have been raised that the design will not at this stage provide access/egress from Mount Barker in both directions onto the South Eastern Freeway in times of bushfire evacuation. Concerns were raised regarding applications from petrol station outlets to establish 24-hour services in townships adjacent the South Eastern Freeway, rather than on land abutting the Freeway, as occurs in many places interstate and overseas. Clarification was sought regarding plans for the next stage of the Amy Gillett Bikeway from the River Torrens to Birdwood. Health There were a number of concerns raised about mental health services in the region, particularly youth mental health services. Suicide is a significant issue for the Strathalbyn community, with reports of ten men aged under 35 taking their own lives in recent times, with a large cluster in and around 2011. The Strathalbyn and Communities Suicide Prevention Network has done some fantastic work in the community, but it is felt that more action is required to address mental health issues in the area. The capacity of ambulance services in the Adelaide Hills was raised as a concern, with one resident reportedly having to wait 19 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from the city for her 6 year old daughter, due to local ambulance services being unavailable at that time. Emergency Services The Mount Barker CFS has expressed its desire to move to a different service delivery model, with a proposal having been submitted to transition to an MFS model. Concerns were raised regarding the impact of Emergency Services Levy on regional communities. Social Housing Concerns were raised about increasing rates of youth homelessness in the region. Support, including accommodation, for young people who are homeless or at risk is difficult to access in the region. There are limited alternate housing options within the region as traditional providers, such as caravan parks and motels, are now refusing to offer interim housing assistance for people referred by
Housing SA, as a result of damage caused to premises by previous tenants. Further Education, Training and Employment The high cost and lack of access to local education and training opportunities for people in the region is felt to be an impediment to economic growth and exacerbates disadvantage. Specifically, the combination of a lack of local training opportunities and restricted public transport options to education facilities in Adelaide is preventing some disadvantaged young people and others from accessing tertiary education and skills training. TAFE course options in the region are felt to be limited, covering too narrow a range of skills training, which forces young people to have to travel into Adelaide for their education. Questions were raised as to how the government can ensure better access to training and create stronger links to employment outcomes, particularly for people needing entry-level skills and the short-term unemployed. It is felt that with further support from the Government, local small to medium size enterprises could provide significant employment opportunities for local people in the region. Specifically, effective youth employment pathways need to be developed to connect local young people with training and jobs in their region. It is felt that a strategy is needed to expand employment opportunities in the region more broadly. Economic Development There is enormous potential to expand the region s existing industries and achieve significant economic growth, especially in the agricultural, horticultural and tourism industries. Questions were raised about what the Government can do to further support the expansion of businesses, with the Government currently preparing a new Economic Development Strategy for the region. There is a general desire to better promote tourism and the products produced in the region. The physical location of the Adelaide Hills region was identified as a significant factor shaping the duration of tourist visits. The region s close proximity to Adelaide means that people tend to visit the region for a short period (2-3 hours), rather than an extended stay. There is a need to look at how we can bring the region together to encourage
longer stays, including consideration of the type and availability of tourist accommodation, which remains a significant issue. Cleland Wildlife Park has potential to significantly expand its contribution to economic growth in the Adelaide Hills through its forthcoming Master Plan. This includes opportunities to strengthen industry partnerships and cross-sector collaboration through Cleland Wildlife Park s capacity to promote regional products. For example, food producers and tourism operators, in collaboration with the Government, could benefit from Cleland s relationship with Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Diversification of the products and services offered at Cleland and the creation of a regional multi-day pass were suggested as mechanisms by which to promote other attractions and experiences in the region. There are also potential opportunities to strengthen private sector partnerships to optimise community science research initiatives should the Koala Centre of Excellence be approved. There are significant opportunities to expand the region s horticultural production. There were requests from fruit growers, meat processors and cider producers to assist with red tape and access to government support, such as inclusion on PIRSA delegations to China and other international markets, rather than necessarily financial assistance. The region s bee industry has experienced difficulty in gaining access to public land, including national parks, for hives, which it was suggested would provide significant growth opportunities for the industry. Jurlique, the Mt Barker based cosmetics manufacturer specialising in natural skincare, is looking for State Government assistance for the extension of its manufacturing plant. Beerenberg Farm, producer of jams and condiments, located in Hahndorf is expanding its production facility and is experiencing regulatory problems with its waste water arrangements. Regional Development Australia - Adelaide Hills & Fleurieu noted an opportunity for treated waste water from hills townships to be used in horticultural enterprises via a pipeline to the north. The Luxury Network, led by representatives from Bird in Hand Winery, has organised for the DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing, China to be transformed into a premium showcase for South Australian food and beverage products for the period of 21 November 2014 to 28 February 2015.
There is a need for greater clarity regarding the Government s support for mining in the region and an opportunity to engage with local industry and mining proponents. One suggestion for economic development was to work with local Aboriginal communities to draw on the region s living Aboriginal heritage to develop tourism and winery trails incorporating the region s Dreaming Landscape as a unique global marketing strategy. It was suggested that such an approach would add impetus to the region s United Nations World Heritage bid. Water and Environment There is a need to acknowledge the unique natural environment of the Adelaide Hills and this should be reflected in a more strategic and engaged approach to infrastructure and urban planning in the region. The community recognises the continuing threat of drought to the region s economy, having experienced first-hand the effects of the millennium drought. The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources savings measures, which have resulted in the NRM Community Grants Programme being ceased, are causing concern in the community about the potential impact on the environment. Concerns were raised about the management of native vegetation and bushfire risk. Re-routing of freight rail away from the current corridor and undergrounding of power lines were also discussed as potential bushfire risk mitigation measures. The issue of title amalgamation was raised as a potential means of protecting native vegetation in the Adelaide Hills. The first loss of a native species in South Australia for over 50 years, the Mallee Emu Wren, was said to have occurred as a result of wildfire. Reduced resources impacting the management of native vegetation in parks and reserves was said to have been a significant contributing factor to increased fire risk and species loss in this instance. It was suggested that the Mt Lofty Summit site could be upgraded by repainting the Obelisk. The Adelaide Hills Climate Action Group raised concerns about the Government s commitment to renewable energy, carbon offset and mitigation measures. One measure they suggested was the implementation of a carbon offset ticket option for Adelaide Metro buses and a GreenPower ticket for the electrified rail network.