Mount Barker a finalist at Leadership Excellence Awards
While not being among the winners on the night, the council was acknowledged for its dedication to environmental stewardship, community resilience, and economic development.
The Laratinga Reserve Working Group was nominated for the Excellence in Environmental Leadership and Sustainability award highlighting Laratinga Wetland’s unique position as a successful integration of urban development and nature conservation. With deep cultural significance to the Aboriginal Peramangk people and serving as a vital conservation area for listed species, Laratinga stands as a beacon of harmony between human settlement and ecological preservation.
The council’s Team Leader Environment and Natural Assets, Jamie Thornton said that it was an absolute honour for Mount Barker District Council to be a finalist for this award.
“Laratinga is one of the jewels in the crown for our district, a treasure to the community and a testament to what can be achieved environmentally with vision,” Jamie said.
The Fire to Flourish (F2F) team was also applauded for it’s innovative initiatives such as traditional land and fire management practices and community-led disaster resilience plans. F2F is actively stimulating a safer and more resilient community in the Mount Barker district and was a finalist for the Excellence in Emergency Management/Disaster Recovery award.
The successful hosting of the inaugural Gather Round AFL regional game at the Summit Sport and Recreation Park led to the council being a finalist for the Excellence in Local Economic Development award.
The event not only showcased the community's sporting enthusiasm but also highlighted Mount Barker as a premier destination for regional events, bolstering local economic growth and tourism.
Missing out on a placing to bigger council’s – Tea Tree Gully, Mitcham, and Onkaparinga - Mount Barker District Council’s Management Challenge team, Boom in Barker were excited to be in the spotlight for their outstanding performance during challenge day in April.
The Management Challenge, a simulation-based program focusing on team building and local government themes, served as a platform for the team to hone their management and executive skills in leadership, decision-making, and complex problem-solving.
Council’s Manager People and Culture, Nicole Newton noted that the team’s hard work over a six-month period paid off on challenge day with each member demonstrating unwavering professionalism in their approach to the tasks and remained cool, calm and collected all day.
Mount Barker District Council expresses its gratitude to Local Government Professionals Australia for the recognition and extends thanks to all staff, stakeholders, and community members whose dedication and support made these achievements possible.
