Mount Barker District Council

16/10/2026

VERDUN INTERCHANGE UPGRADE – NEW ROUNDABOUT OPENING IN STAGES

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) is progressing its upgrade of the Verdun Interchange, which will eventually allow motorists to enter and exit the South Eastern Freeway in both directions.

As part of the project, the new roundabout at the intersection of Mount Barker Road and Silver Road will open in stages, with the following works and traffic changes planned:

🚧 Early November to mid-December: Pavement works on Mount Barker Road, with speed and lane restrictions in place.

🚧 Early November to mid-December: The eastern end of Silver Road will temporarily close while it is connected to the new roundabout. Local access will remain available via the western end, with pedestrian and emergency vehicle access maintained.

🚧 Late November to mid-December: Night works will take place for asphalting between 7pm and 6am, Sunday to Friday.

🚧 From early November: Bus Stop 48a on both sides of Mount Barker Road will be permanently removed. Passengers can use Bus Stop 49 instead.

Access through the new roundabout via Mount Barker Road and Silver Road is expected to open from late 2026, weather permitting. Work on the new westbound freeway exit ramp will continue, with that connection expected to open in 2027.

DIT advises motorists to allow extra travel time, follow traffic signs and take care when travelling through the area.

Some noise, vibration, dust and additional lighting can also be expected during construction.

These are DIT works, not Council works. For more information or questions about the project, contact DIT directly:
Phone: 1300 794 880
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dit.sa.gov.au/VerdunInterchange

This is "Verdun Interchange Update - fly through video" by DIT on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

15/10/2026

A PACKED CALENDAR OF HOLIDAY FUN

From music lovers to BMX riders and young entrepreneurs, the October school holidays had something for everyone!

🎸 Amplify Youth Street Party was a celebration of youth culture, local talent and live music with Sunsick Daisy, Stormy-Lou, Close Friends and Outlie bringing young people together through music and connection.

🚲 Get Stoked brought bikes, skateboards, sunshine and plenty of fun to the Mount Barker Skate Park with Lighthouse Youth Projects Inc. helping young people build skills and connections on two wheels.

🛍️ Mini Makers Market at the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market gave our budding young business owners the opportunity to showcase their creativity, develop confidence and share their talents with the community.

We've loved seeing so many young people getting involved, trying something new and making the most of the school holidays!

These events were all part of Council's ongoing commitment to delivering the Child and Youth Action Plan 2024 – 2028 and creating more opportunities for children and young people to connect, participate, develop new skills and feel a sense of belonging in their community.

A huge thank you to our community partners, volunteers, performers, young people and families who helped bring these events to life.

Alexandrina Council | headspace Mount Barker | Mission Australia | Mount Barker Community Centre | Lutheran Care

We're only getting started - there's plenty more to come for young people across Mount Barker district.

Here's an overview of what went down during the holidays!

15/10/2026

SHINE A LIGHT ON YOUR LOCAL HERO

What does it take to win Citizen of the Year?

In short: outstanding service to the community.

Lyndall Schliebs was named Citizen of the Year for 2026 in recognition of the significant contribution she's made to local sport, older residents, Mainly Music at St Mark’s Lutheran Church and Littlehampton Community Association.

Who will be Citizen of the Year in 2027?

This is where you come in.

Nominations are now open and there are four categories:

👉 Citizen of the Year
👉 Young Citizen of the Year
👉 Community Event of the Year
👉 Active Citizenship Award

Nominate your local hero today at:
https://www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/services/citizenship/citizen-of-the-year-awards

Nominations close Friday 20 November.

📷 2026 Citizen of the Year Lyndall Schliebs by Darren Clements Photography

15/10/2026

PROPOSED ECOLOGICAL BURN AT DROVER’S REST

Protecting, managing and maintaining biodiversity assets is a key focus area of our Environment and Sustainability Strategy.

As part of our land management efforts, an ecological burn is scheduled at Drover’s Rest on Saturday 17 October weather permitting.

Drover’s Rest is a Council-owned reserve located on the corner of Harper and Springs Road at Mount Barker Springs.

Just like standard prescribed burns, ecological burns help reduce fuel loads and bushfire risk but they’re conducted at lower temperatures to deliver more environmental benefits.

The burn will be coordinated by Council and undertaken by local Country Fire Service brigades.

Hills Biodiversity volunteers who’ve been helping restore the area’s native vegetation have been invited to attend.

Representatives from Sugar Shack Aboriginal Corporation have also been invited as observers to share feedback and cultural knowledge.

The burn will produce smoke which may be smelt or seen from several kilometres away.

Residents near Drover’s Rest, including those living with respiratory issues, are advised to keep windows closed on the day of the burn and keep washing indoors to reduce smoke exposure.

Residents living near the reserve have been informed of the proposed burn via letter.

Learn more about ecological burns on our website at:
www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/environment/bushfire-management/prescribed-ecological-burns

15/10/2026

DO YOU RECOGNISE THIS DOG?

This male cross - possibly Mastiff - was found wandering around Woodhall Loop in Mount Barker yesterday morning and we're hoping you can please help us reunite him with his owners.

He's not microchipped so we don't have any way of finding out who his owner is.

He was wearing a harness with a lead attached when we collected him.

As you can see here, his legs are a little banged up so we took him to the vet where he was prescribed antibiotics and pain medication and he's now in the care of the Hahndorf Interim Animal Shelter.

If this dog is yours - or you know who he belongs to - please phone the shelter directly on 8388 7514.

It's another reminder about the importance of microchipping your dogs and cats - which is mandatory in South Australia - so we can get them back to you as soon as possible.

14/10/2026

BRUSH AND BLOOM EXHIBITION LAUNCH

Having works exhibited publicly is a big deal for burgeoning artists.

Not only is it a celebration of their creativity, it's also a huge confidence booster to have other poeple see and appreciate their talent.

A group of local art students will have their creations exhibited at the library later this month - and you're invited to the opening!

🎨 Friday 30 October
🎨 6pm - 8pm

See artworks students created under the guidance of artist Bethany Neck during their experimental watercolour classes held at Mount Barker Community Centre.

Tickets to the launch cost $5 plus booking fee.

W**e and nibbles included.

Book online at:
https://mbcl-brushandbloom2026.eventbrite.com.au

Brush and Bloom will be on display from Wednesday 28 October until Saturday 21 November during library opening hours.

14/10/2026

NEW ONLINE RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITY

There's nothing more frustrating, or time-consuming, than trawling through multiple websites to find the contact information you need.

We're putting an end to that with a new online directory created especially for people living with disability, their families and carers.

The directory was a key action in Council's new Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) and created in partnership our Community Disability Reference Group.

It brings together helpful information and resources on a range of topics including advocacy, public transport, complaint handling and more in a format that's clear and easily accessible to residents of all abilities.

Explore the new directory today www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/services/disability-access-and-inclusion/helpful-information-and-resources

Thank you to the group members whose lived experience and understanding of the sector made this new online resource possible.

This list will continue to evolve over time so if you have any suggestions, please contact Council on 8391 7200 if there's a service you'd like to see added to the directory.

Read Council's DAIP at www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/services/disability-access-and-inclusion

14/10/2026

'MOOVELOUS' FUN FOR EVERYONE

For more than 40 years, people have been flocking to Meadows for the town's annual Country Fair.

This year's event is happening Sunday 18 October at Meadows Oval from 9am to 4pm.

All the fair favourites are back including the hand-milking competition Udder Tug, Farmer's Alley and the animal expo.

New arena attractions for 2026 include all ages line dancing and a lasso challenge for people 12 years and over.

Get your family and friends together and see why the Meadows Country Fair has earned a reputation as one of the best events of its kind in the Adelaide Hills!

Entry is $10 for people aged 13 years and over and free for kids 12 years and under.

Tickets available at the gate on the day.

View the full program at:
https://meadowscountryfair.com.au

📷 Meadows Country Fair

14/10/2026

HAVE YOUR SAY ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION 🗣️

Council is seeking your feedback on the draft Code of Practice for Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents.

We'd like to know when, where and how you prefer to access Council meetings, committee meetings, minutes and documents.

Read the draft Code here:
https://yoursay.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/review-of-code-of-practice-for-access-to-council-and-committee-meetings-and-documents

To have your say:

👉 complete the online feedback form on the Your Say website
👉 email [email protected]
👉 send or deliver a written submission to Council.

Your feedback will help inform the revised code before it is presented to Council in December.

🗓️ Consultation closes Wednesday 4 November.

Please remember that comments on Facebook are not formally included as a submission. To make sure you’re heard, please provide your feedback via the consultation link above.