Murray Bridge council watch: January 2023
A plan to rezone land for housing inches ahead, plus the city's mayor meets a Chinese official.
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Land re-zoning plan inches ahead after eight years
Progress is finally being made on a plan to accommodate extra housing in Murray Bridge’s west and south.
The Murray Bridge council hopes to re-zone three parcels of land for the purpose: one along Bremer Road, a triangle between Adelaide and Old Swanport Roads, and a smaller area on Commerce Road.
Land in the three areas would be re-zoned for “master-planned township” instead of rural or country living.
That would just be stage one of a bigger plan to find room for 3100 new houses, and possibly a new R-12 school, in the city’s west end over the next 20 years.
The council originally started the re-zoning process way back in 2014, but was forced to put it on hold while the state government made changes to the statewide planning system.
It was finally able to lodge the necessary documents with the SA Planning Commission in December – something Councillor Airlie Keen described as a “significant” milestone.
If Planning Minister Nick Champion grants his approval, members of the public will get an opportunity to have their say about the planned zone changes in several months’ time.
Thanks for being a welcoming city: Chinese official
One of the top Chinese officials in South Australia has expressed her gratitude for Murray Bridge’s welcoming attitude towards immigrants from her country.
Mayor Wayne Thorley met with Chinese consul-general He Lanjing on January 8, during a lunar new year celebration at Murray Bridge Library.
She conveyed her thanks to the council for engaging with the district’s Chinese community.
“Our desire as a welcoming community is very clear amongst us all, and the fact that we have such a diverse community is an honour that we should be very proud of,” Mr Thorley said.
Welcoming Australia officially recognised Murray Bridge as a welcoming city last year.
