Council is developing a Mount Barker Centre Masterplan (the Masterplan). We are currently reviewing your feedback from Stage 2 of the engagement process.

Community engagement has occurred in two stages:
Stage 1 - Listening and ideas (completed) We gathered your views and priorities from 14 July to 18 August 2025 to help develop the draft Masterplan.
Stage 2 - Draft Masterplan feedback (completed) We sought your feedback on the draft Masterplan from 8 April to 20 May 2026 to help refine the detail within the final document. We are currently reviewing your feedback.

Council also sought your feedback on the preferred location for a future regional skatepark.

What is the draft Masterplan?

The draft Masterplan builds on the 2012 Mount Barker Town Centre Strategy and considers in more detail at how the Mount Barker centre could grow and function in the future. It is a long-term aspirational vision that:

• Shows how the centre could develop as it grows into a regional hub
• Guides how Council land may be used
• Identifies locations for civic and recreational spaces
• Includes a list of actions across key themes for the whole centre

The draft document was prepared by Stage 1 community feedback, previous Council studies and engagement, and ongoing discussions with community, business and stakeholder groups.

Key areas in the draft Masterplan

Draft precinct plans have been prepared for the Dunn and Bickle land and the Mann Street precinct which help to provide more specific guidance on the use, form and function of these key areas within the centre.

Dunn and Bickle land precinct

Four options were presented to the community for this area, they included:

• Nature Based
• Culture and Community
• Tourism Focused
• Sport and Recreation

We asked you which components of each option you support and do not support. Your feedback, together with considerations such as alignment with Deed, financial feasibility and strategic direction, will help inform a recommended vision for Council to consider.

Mann Street precinct

Two scenarios were prepared for this area.

• Option 1 - with performing arts centre
• Option 2 - retaining open space

The main difference is whether a performing arts centre is located at the corner of Adelaide Road and Mann Street, or whether this space remains as ‘open space’ if the facility is achieved elsewhere (Town Hall site or Dunn and Bickle land).

What area does the Masterplan cover?

The study area generally includes the central business district of Mount Barker:

• Dunn and Bickle land (north)
• Railway line (east)
• Hampden Road (south)
• Dumas Street park 'n' ride (west)

What the Masterplan does NOT do

The draft Masterplan is aspirational. This means:

• It does not commit Council to funding or delivering projects yet
• It does not include detailed design and construction

Following endorsement of the final Masterplan, projects will be required to go through a detailed design and budgeting process.

Regional Skatepark Location

Council’s draft Open Space Strategy and Sport and Recreation Action Plan outlines a vision with Mount Barker identified as the location for a regional skate park.

We presented options to the community to see where you think the most suitable location for a regional skatepark is. We sought feedback on two potential sites. It was also possible for the community to suggest other suitable central sites on Council land for consideration.

The two potential sites presented were:

1. Flaxley Road Reserve (next to Keith Stephenson Park)
2. Summit Precinct

Consultation was about the location only and was open from 8 April to 25 May 2026. Detailed design and site planning will happen later, after Council selects a preferred site.

Now that consultation has closed:

• Feedback will be reviewed and summarised
• A recommended location will be prepared based on community feedback and site suitability (such as access to amenities and public transport)
• Council will then consider and decide on the preferred location