Maintenance and Operations Achievements
With a budget of approximately $14 million, the teams have continued to deliver essential services that benefit the community.
Playground Maintenance and Upgrades: Playgrounds across the district saw increased visitation, and regular inspections were conducted to ensure safety and compliance. A total of 705 inspections were completed, addressing wear and tear in older equipment and enhancing safety with soft fall rubber and bark chip replacements. Notable works included interim repairs to the swing set at Davenport Square in Macclesfield and the rope apparatus at Pioneer Park in Hahndorf.
Open Space Maintenance: Despite challenging weather conditions, the Open Space team maintained 490 reserves, main streets, and buffer zones, completing nearly 2,000 site visits during the quarter. Public spaces were also prepared for 24 community events, with 120 cubic metres of mulch applied to beautify key areas like the Dutton Road roundabout. Weed control, irrigation, and vegetation management were prioritised due to the district’s early growth flush followed by dry conditions.
Civil Activities: Key civil projects completed during the quarter include resheeting programs for several roads, stormwater piping installations, and asphalt patching repairs. The team used over 31,000 tonnes of rubble to resheet more than 12 kilometres of roads and 103 tonnes of asphalt to repair damaged surfaces. Line marking programs and stormwater infrastructure cleaning also ensured road safety and drainage effectiveness.
Technical Services and Environmental Efforts: Technical Services tackled graffiti removal, streetlight maintenance, and event support, while the Environmental and Natural Assets team continued to lead fire prevention programs, completing roadside slashing and fuel reduction initiatives. Arboricultural teams completed over 1,000 jobs, addressing tree management throughout the district, and the Biodiversity team focused on weed control and native plant care in wetlands and reserves.
Looking Ahead: The next quarter will see further preparation for major community events like the Summit Showdown, completion of remaining resheeting and pruning programs, roadside waste clean-ups, and the implementation of autumn/winter tree planting programs.
The Maintenance and Operations team carry out both critical and reactive work, ensuring the Mount Barker district remains a safe place for residents and visitors and the most liveable region in South Australia.
Read the full report to Council from page 209 of the 3 February 2025 Council meeting Agenda
