Draft Community Development Lead Strategy 2021-26

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Consultation has concluded

The draft Community Development Lead Strategy is a 5-year plan identifying key actions to assist the future development of our community.

Our community is one of our greatest assets.

The purpose of this strategy is to better understand the pressures and opportunities for our communities and to provide a sense of focus for Council, community and our partners to work together.

This strategy has been designed and developed specifically to:

  • Create an environment for our identified populations to flourish.
  • Help to integrate new and existing communities.
  • Encourage and retain the best of local culture, connection, heritage and identity.
  • Support our

The draft Community Development Lead Strategy is a 5-year plan identifying key actions to assist the future development of our community.

Our community is one of our greatest assets.

The purpose of this strategy is to better understand the pressures and opportunities for our communities and to provide a sense of focus for Council, community and our partners to work together.

This strategy has been designed and developed specifically to:

  • Create an environment for our identified populations to flourish.
  • Help to integrate new and existing communities.
  • Encourage and retain the best of local culture, connection, heritage and identity.
  • Support our community’s resilience and capacity to respond positively to crises.


Consultation has concluded

  • Community Development Lead Strategy endorsed

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    Council officers have conducted public consultation on the draft Community Development Lead Strategy exploring ways to improve community connections over the next 5 years.

    The consultation period saw Council staff engage with the community via a number of methods:

    • Displays at the Civic Centre, Library and Mount Barker Community Centre.
    • 5 Facebook posts with a total of 7,728 people reached and 133 people who engaged with the posts.
    • A consultation drop-in session on Thursday 11 February at the Mount Barker Community Library. Four people provided comments which were included as part of the feedback.
    • Council’s YourSay project page: 61 people became aware of the project, 45 were informed and 3 people engaged with the project by completing a survey.
    • Written submissions: 2 written submissions were provided by community groups.

    While there is always a diverse range of opinions on the priorities amongst any community, the feedback gathered showed the following as most important:

    • That the Strategy is resourced, implemented and reported on,
    • The actions in the themes of People, Place and Participation are most important to be delivered, specifically:
      1. Accessible communication and consultation by providing remote access to council meetings and increasing the ways that citizens can bring their expertise to inform Council’s decision-making,
      2. Investing in arts and culture,
      3. Supporting the activation of community facilities (Council and non-Council owned),
      4. Provision of varied opportunities for people to participate in their local communities, and
      5. A review of community funding and grants to better meet community need.

    The Strategy has been reviewed in light of community feedback and on 7 June 2021, Council endorsed the strategy for implementation.

    Access the Strategy here: https://www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/council/plans

  • Have your say on the draft Community Development Lead Strategy

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    People in the community, community groups and service providers are being encouraged to help shape Mount Barker District Council's Community Development Lead Strategy.

    On 7 December 2020 Council Members endorsed the draft Strategy for a period of community consultation. Mayor Ann Ferguson said, "It is estimated that we have 37,481 people living in our community which will likely increase to 55,000 by 2035 and we need to proactively plan for a community that provides opportunities for people to have healthy, happy and meaningful lives."

    People can have their say on the draft Community Development Lead Strategy online between 27 January - 24 February 2021.