Harrogate and Brukunga Townships Plan - Progress & Fire Recovery

The Harrogate and Brukunga Townships Plan was developed to coordinate bushfire recovery efforts following the Cudlee Creek fires in 2019 and longer term development of the townships. Almost all of the bushfire recovery and resilience projects have been completed or are nearing completion. Most notably this includes improving access to water for firefighting purposes in Harrogate.

As we continue to assist the community recover and grow, the following provides an update of projects planned with and around Harrogate and Brukunga.

Implementation Plan
(Updated April 2021)
Endorsed Timeframes - Bushfire Response: Immediate, Short: 0-3 years, Medium: 3+, Ongoing: for the lifeContinue reading

As we continue to assist the community recover and grow, the following provides an update of projects planned with and around Harrogate and Brukunga.

Implementation Plan
(Updated April 2021)
Endorsed Timeframes - Bushfire Response: Immediate, Short: 0-3 years, Medium: 3+, Ongoing: for the life of the plan

+ BUSHFIRE RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE

Action Number	Action	Timeframe	Status
1	Continue to support the ongoing recovery and resilience efforts of the communities of Harrogate and Brukunga wherever possible.	Ongoing	Ongoing Recovery and resilience efforts continue through a number of initiatives and ongoing Council works/services.
2	Review roadside vegetation management and determine additional maintenance that may be required. Where necessary implement improved maintenance program in identified issue areas as a priority	Bushfire Response	Current Projects Review/audit undertaken and immediate works completed. Council will continue to monitor.
3	Review supply/access for fire fighting water with the CFS and assist with the implementation of additional dedicated water tanks and improved access for fire fighting purposes at Harrogate and Brukunga.	Bushfire Response	Completed Dedicated fire fighting tank installed. This project was assisted greatly with local community input.
4	Council to review the condition of the unsealed section of Harrogate Road south of Harrogate, prepare design and upgrade while considering opportunity for combining such a project with improved pedestrian infrastructure.	Bushfire Response	Current Project Road works planned to be delivered late 2021 (FY21/22)
5	Council to liaise with telecommunication service providers and advocate for improved service provision.	Bushfire Response	Ongoing Initial preliminary discussions undertaken. Advocacy and discussion will continue to be undertaken when opportunities arise.
6	Council to proactively communicate and where necessary educate property owners district wide of best practice fire prevention measures and promote early implementation of individual bushfire survival plans in emergency situations.	Bushfire Response	Completed Initiative completed which included workshops, information booklet and planning tool, online information and one on one landholder meetings. Council working with CFS community engagement on future engagement initiatives.
7	Review the condition of existing native vegetation areas and implement sensitive bushcare and/or revegetation planting where appropriate.	Short	Completed Review completed and broader education and information provided to property owners and the general public.
8	Weed management of the Bremer River within Harrogate and Dawesly Creek within Brukunga should be undertaken.	Bushfire Response	Ongoing Internal Council working group formed Creek and Waterways Group to assist with management of these initiatives.

+ HERITAGE, CHARACTER AND IDENTITY

Action Number	Action	Timeframe	Status
9	Advocate and support the continued protection of heritage places.	Ongoing	Ongoing Heritage buildings continue to be protected through relevant legislation. Council's Heritage Incentive Scheme ongoing.
10	Celebrate indigenous and European heritage and culture of the area through initiatives such as interpretive signage, public art installations and the materials chosen for public realm improvements.	Ongoing	Ongoing Council staff active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.
11	Reinforce existing township boundaries and promote opportunities for improved entry statements for each township.	Short	Ongoing Council active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.
12	Assist the community to action small scale streetscape improvements within the public realm within Harrogate and Brukunga.	Ongoing	Completed Minor streetscape improvements work undertaken within each township including landscaping and street tree planting.
13	Advocate for an installation for public art in reference to and in acknowledgement of indigenous Peramangk history in Brukunga.	Short - Medium	Ongoing Council staff active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.

+ CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

Action Number	Action	Timeframe	Status
14	Continue to support the role and function of community and sporting groups, acknowledging the important role they play to encourage social interaction and inclusion.	Ongoing	Ongoing Ongoing through a number of initiatives and Council works/services.
15	Continue to support local community events which provide an opportunity for the community to come together and which helps to cement the identity of the town and creates a sense of community.	Ongoing	Ongoing Ongoing through a number of initiatives and Council works/services.
16	Encourage improved use of Council’s Hills Community Transport program and advocate for improved public transport services.	Ongoing	Ongoing Ongoing through a number of initiatives and Council works/services.
17	Continue to provide facilities which cater for informal recreation activities to engage younger residents and support community groups which perform this role.	Ongoing	Current Project Construction of a trail from Harrogate to the Harrogate Cemetery.

+ ACCESS AND MOVEMENT

Action Number	Action	Timeframe	Status
18	Council to undertake a condition review of existing roads in Harrogate and Brukunga and implement any required maintenance of identified roads and if necessary road upgrades to improve access and egress to the towns. Priority for the upgrade of the unsealed section of Harrogate Road and consideration of Military Road, Wachtel Road and Laurie Road.	Short	Completed Preliminary review undertaken and Council will continue to monitor and implement subject to budget allocation.
19	Council to review existing pedestrian provisions and undertake a needs analysis to consider where improvements are needed and implement where required with priority to improving safe and ease of movement between key destinations.	Medium	To Be Scheduled To be actioned as per timeframe.
20	Implement improved pedestrian focused safety signage on entrances to townships.	Short	Ongoing Council staff active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.
21	Review existing condition of access driveway and culvert over the Bremer River to the Harrogate Reserve and undertake improvement works if and when required.	Medium	Ongoing Some minor improvement works undertaken and Council will continue to monitor.

+ OPEN SPACE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Action Number	Action	Timeframe	Status
22	Council to review existing community facilities, open space and trail network in the short term as to inform any identified potential improvements required.	Short	Current Projects Review undertaken with some projects such as the Harrogate Cemetery Trail and Open Space Improvements to the Harrogate Reserve being implemented in 2021.
23	Following the review undertake improvements to existing community facilities, open space and trails consistent with identified needs/priorities across the townships and broader district noting that all projects would be subject to future funding allocation.	Ongoing	Ongoing Council staff active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.
24	Improve community useability of James Hammer Memorial Reserve, Brukunga such as consideration of passive play elements, unsealed footpath and landscaping.	Medium	To Be Scheduled To be actioned as per timeframe
25	Improve the appearance of township entrances and approaches.	Medium	To Be Scheduled To be actioned as per timeframe
26	Improve basic wayfinding signage within townships to open space areas and key destinations.	Short	Ongoing Council staff active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.
27	Provide public seating and activation node nearby the Harrogate Memorial Hall and provide improved formalisation of car parking on Council land.	Medium	Ongoing Improved car parking provided on Laurie Road and further opportunities being explored.
28	Formalise walking trail loop from Laurie Road to the Harrogate Cemetery.	Short - Medium	Current Projects Current project planned to be completed April 2021.
29	Investigate potential for formalised access to land west of Smilie Street, Brukunga for improved community use and access purposes.	Short	Ongoing Council staff active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.

+ SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT

Action Number	Action	Timeframe	Status
30	Educate and inform local residents on appropriate roadside management practices and native vegetation protection. Investigate suitable mechanism for this to occur.	Short	Completed Action completed but Council will continue to inform.
31	Advocate, support and partner with existing groups such as Trees for Life for bushcare or revegetation projects within Harrogate and Brukunga and surrounds.	Short - Medium	Completed Action completed but Council will continue to inform.
32	Undertake sensitive bushcare and revegetation planting on Council land where possible and support volunteers.	Ongoing	Ongoing Council staff active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.
33	Advocate and promote the building of Climate Resilient homes within the district as informed by the Where We Build What We Build project recommendations.	Ongoing	Ongoing Council staff active in seeking an opportunity to implement action.

+ INFRASTRUCTURE

Action Number	Action	Timeframe	Status
34	Undertake a review of existing stormwater management within the townships.	Short - Medium	To Be Scheduled To be actioned as per timeframe.
35	Undertake a review of existing kerb and pedestrian footpaths within the township as to inform potential for infrastructure upgrades in the context of already programmed and future proposed works.	Short	To Be Scheduled To be actioned as per timeframe
36	Continue working with the CFS to ensure Bushfire Management Plans are up-to-date.	Ongoing	Ongoing Ongoing through a number of initiatives Council works/services.
37	Advocate for an extension of SA Water infrastructure to service Harrogate.	Ongoing	Ongoing Preliminary investigation undertaken. SA Water infrastructure service upgrade to these townships not currently planned.

HARROGATE ROAD UPGRADE STARTING

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The upgrade and sealing of the remaining unsealed section of Harrogate Road is starting in the week beginning 18 October)

The project, jointly funded by Council and the Cudlee Creek Bushfire Funding Grant, has been contracted to Camco for construction.

The first activity will be the removal and pruning of roadside vegetation followed soon after by civil works. The Native Vegetation Council has authorised the clearance of 60 trees to enable the road upgrade to occur. Every effort has, and will be, made to retain high value trees and where this is not possible this valuable resource will be used for purposes that provide maximum community benefit. All trees that are removed will be replaced by six new trees planted locally in accordance with Council’s Tree Management policy.

Traffic management will be in-place during the works and all road users are asked to please drive carefully and to the conditions.

Council thanks the community for their understanding and looks forward to completing the project by early 2022.
Picture Perfect - Harrogate Reserve

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A hidden gem in the heart of Harrogate has been transformed thanks to a $140k investment from Council.

In response to the township plan and bushfire recovery efforts, the Harrogate Recreational Reserve has received a much needed facelift.
Upgrades include a modern shelter housing a new barbecue, undercover seating and power, new playground equipment, walking tracks, signage, carved timber seating and updated public toilets.

The adventure starts with a low water crossing at its entrance. Please take care crossing the winter creek, either in your wellies or inside your car.
Feedback sought: Brukunga and Harrogate Hall draft concept plans

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The Mount Barker Community Centre have been successful in receiving co-funding from the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Wellbeing SA to begin a halls landscape improvement project in both Brukunga and Harrogate with the following key deliverables:
1. To design site concept plans for the Brukunga and Harrogate Community Halls in consultation with community to help plan for future site improvements
2. To provide community events and activities at the Halls to facilitate connections
3. To undertake two community projects that come from the finalised concept plans
Craig Lovering of Clover Greenspace and Harrogate local has now drafted concept plans for each site (see concept plans below) and the Community Centre is seeking your feedback.
To view the concept plans:
- Brukunga Hall Concept Plan
- Harrogate Hall Concept Plan
To complete the survey:
- Brukunga: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BrukungaHall
- Harrogate: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HarrogateHall
In addition, you are invited to a free community event to talk to the Community Centre, Clover Design and Council Officers in your town:
- Brukunga
- Harrogate
Harrogate Road sealing about to commence

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Harrogate Road played a critical role in the movement of public and emergency services during the recent Cudlee Creek bushfires. Approximately 1.3km of the road south of Harrogate remains unsealed and there is strong community support to upgrade and seal this portion of road.
Detailed design and planning for the Harrogate Road upgrade is nearly finished and the project is on track for completion in December 2021.
Roadside vegetation retention is a high priority for this upgrade but some trees (nothing larger than a trunk diameter of 1m) will need to be removed to allow a fit for purpose road to be constructed. Unfortunately some trees are no longer alive as a consequence of the bushfire or are exhibiting signs of die back and will be among the trees to be removed.
All of the largest veteran trees are being retained.
The timber from removed trees will be used to deliver the highest possible local value. One such example is the provision of firewood to the Harrogate Hall Committee as a fundraiser to deliver further community activities and projects that builds resilience and improves wellbeing of locals impacted by recent events.
BUILDING RESILIENCE IN HARROGATE

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Following the Cudlee Creek Fire, the Harrogate Hall Committee has been working with Council to install a new fire tank at the Harrogate Hall replacing older infrastructure at the site.

Thank you to the hard working Hall Committee for all of their endeavours to make the community a safer place.

The presentation of a new portable fire pump by Mayor Ann to the Harrogate Hall Committee Chair is a key piece in the undertaking to help build resilience in the Harrogate community.

The pump which can be linked into tanks at the site helps provide an extra level of safety for the community to support fire fighters during large fires such as the Cudlee Creek Bushfire.

The pump was funded as part of the bushfire recovery funding.

Photo: Yvette Taylor, Pam Dashwood (Chair Harrogate Hall Committee), Mayor Ann, Vikki Kemp, Dan Kemp
BUSHFIRE AFFECTED ROADS - TREE PRUNING

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Bushfire funding has afforded tree works along some of the worst affected roads in the Mount Barker District fire scar area.
First cab off the rank was a section of Military Road, Brukunga from Pyrites Road to Harrogate Road. Pruning commenced here approximately 3 weeks ago and finished up in the week beginning 17 May 2021.
Tree works on Harrogate, Pyrites and Mail Road will commence from the second week in June.
See also: FIRE DAMAGED TREE WORKS FUNDED
HARROGATE CEMETERY BURNT TREE REMOVAL PROGRESS

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The Harrogate cemetery fire affected tree works have been progressing well with the pines being felled ready for processing and removal from the site.
Logs and stumps will be shredded on site very soon and the course material removed to be further processed and refined into various landscape materials.
The area of ground subject to tree removals will then be groomed and tidied ready for restoration of indigenous flora and other plantings.
Councils ‘hollows for habitat‘ program will be extended to some of the dead gum trees at the site from some bushfire biodiversity funding.
Some living pines are being retained for amenity purposes to assist in the gentle transition of the landscape. Council is working closely with remnant vegetation and biodiversity experts at the site and there will be some dead pines retained in some spots in order to protect some rare flora and an emerging indigenous seed bank. Selected removal of the remaining dead pines will occur over time in a sensitive manner in order to progress the transition of the landscape.
See also
BURNT TREE REMOVAL IN HARROGATE CEMETERY TO BEGIN 3 MAY
HARROGATE CEMETERY FIRE RECOVERY WORKS
BURNT TREE REMOVAL IN HARROGATE CEMETERY TO BEGIN 3 MAY

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Unfortunately, a number of pines and some gums have not survived after the Cudlee Creek bushfire burnt through the Harrogate cemetery. The burnt trees have been left untouched for a year to see what would come back before decisions were finalised on what to do with the area.
Commencing on Monday 3 May work will be undertaken to remove most of the burnt pines that have failed to show signs of regrowth.
Throughout May, additional work will be undertaken to remove woody weeds and debris from the drainage channel on the cemetery boundary and revegetate the front of the cemetery with native plants. New fencing and improvements to the entrance road and gates will complement the revegetation works.
In addition to these works the construction of a new shared use trail utilising the unmade road between the cemetery and town will be starting next week. This will formalise a popular walking path used by local residents.

See also: HARROGATE CEMETERY FIRE RECOVERY WORKS
HARROGATE CEMETERY FIRE RECOVERY WORKS

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Works have already been undertaken in December to fix the side and rear fences of the Harrogate Cemetery and are being linked into the new recreational walking trail from Laurie Road.
Through April and May 2021 trees works will be undertaken to remove some of the burnt pines that have failed to show signs of regrowth.
This work will be further complimented once the trees are removed with new fencing along the front of the Cemetery and improvements to the entrance road and gates that lead into the cemetery from Harrogate road.
See also: HARROGATE RESERVE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
FIRE DAMAGED TREE WORKS FUNDED

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Council has allocated $144k from the fire recovery funding to undertake tree works in the Brukunga and Harrogate areas that were affected by the 2019/20 Cudlee Creek fire.
Councils Arborist Crew and Urban Forrest Officer, took a cautious approach to the removal of trees post the Cudlee Creek Fire preferring to wait and see with many of the trees to see what would reshoot and survive post the fires. 12 months on an audit of the area has indicated a number of trees that have not come back and need removal and some that have and now need a safety prune.
This work will run in conjunction with other tree works in the region that is working to strategically prune burnt tress to leave hollows that provide nesting sites for many of the regions native bird species.
Works will be undertaken by contractors over the months of April and May and road traffic restrictions may be in place where required during the works on various roads.
The works will also include removal of a number of burnt pines in the Harrogate Cemetery as part of the recovery works at this site.