How can Murray Bridge avoid becoming another Mount Barker?
The city's council is seeking public feedback as it develops a structure plan which will guide future residential growth.
How can Murray Bridge avoid becoming another Mount Barker?
The Adelaide Hills town might be a lovely spot, but has also become renowned as a poor example of urban planning.
Thousands of people have moved into Mount Barker and Nairne since 2010, when the state government rezoned 1200 hectares of land to accommodate residential growth.
Another 15,000 are expected to follow by 2036.
But the local council says a “significant” investment in infrastructure is now needed to keep up with demand – that means more transport, health and emergency services, schools, power, water and green space.
That’s a pickle the Murray Bridge council hopes to avoid.
On Tuesday, the Rural City of Murray Bridge opened consultation about a “structure plan” which will guide future development in the river community.
“As an identified growth region in South Australia, we need to identify what land, services and infrastructure will be required to support this growth,” the council said in a statement.
“To assist us in drafting the structure plan, we are seeking initial community feedback on where the future growth of Murray Bridge should occur to meet retail, industry, commercial, employment, housing, community, tourism and recreational needs.”
As the name suggests, the structure plan will give a basic shape to Murray Bridge’s future growth.
It will suggest the areas where land rezoning may be needed, or where space should be set aside for parks, schools or new roads.
Members of the public will be invited to give feedback at two upcoming drop-in sessions: one at the council’s Seventh Street office, from 4-6pm next Thursday; and one at Murray Bridge Library from 10am-12pm on June 26.
In a growth plan completed last year, the council found 3000 new homes and an extra school were likely to be needed in Murray Bridge by the 2040s.
However, the likes of Councillor Airlie Keen have already argued that Murray Bridge’s public transport services need improving.
- Have your say: Fill in the survey at forms.office.com or email Natasha Holmes at engagement@holmesdyer.com.au by 5pm on June 26.
- More information: www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au.
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