City Centre FAQ
For a long time the community has advocated for the creation of greater local employment opportunities, stimulation to the local economy, and an activated and vibrant town square. Council has also committed to deliver new or expanded community facilities resulting from population growth and community demand. Council can only achieve this outcome with significant investment from the private sector.
The City Centre Project will deliver new community, commercial and civic facilities on the vacant site within the Mount Barker city centre bounded by Hutchinson Street, Morphett Street, Stephen Street and Druids Avenue.
The temporary Pop-Up Park has been dismantled as the City Centre project transitions into site preparation and bulk earthworks ahead of major construction, anticipated to begin in July 2026.
The City Centre development will create a high quality, mixed-use development precinct that will deliver significant community and economic benefits for Mount Barker’s future.
The project will deliver the following elements:
- Town square
- Council owned civic and co-working building
- Retail, food and beverage outlets
- Accommodation in the form of a hotel or serviced apartments.
-Parking
At the heart of the City Centre will be a 2,000 square metre town square. A new laneway will be created between Hutchinson and Stephen Streets, providing both pedestrian and vehicle access, along with accessible parking and a drop-off zone. This laneway and parking area will also function as an extension of the town square for community events and markets.
A flexible council civic and co-working building will be located on council-owned land. There will be a mix of retail and office space along Hutchinson Street, including a new retail strip north of the town square. The existing cottage and small industrial structure at the corner of Hutchinson and Morphett Streets will be redeveloped for hospitality purposes in the first stage of development.
On-site car parking will be simplified and expanded to improve accessibility and cost-efficiency. The large multi-storey office accommodation building, and the dedicated stand-alone community hub have been removed, in lieu of designing integrated community spaces into the civic building.
The core area of the town square is 2,000 square metres. A new laneway will connect Hutchinson and Stephen Streets, providing pedestrian and vehicle access, as well as accessible parking and a drop-off zone. This laneway and parking area will also serve as an extension of the town square for community events and markets.
The Council owns one-third of the site and will retain key portions post-development, while Burke Urban Investments (BUI) owns the remaining land.
In 2020, the Council sought a private sector investment partner through a competitive expression of interest process, aiming to stimulate local employment and investment while delivering integrated community facilities in the heart of Mount Barker. Burke Urban Investments (BUI) was selected for its capability and alignment with project goals.
The cottage on the corner of Morphett and Hutchinson Street, owned by Burke Urban Investments (BUI), will be demolished to enable the broader site works and future activation of the retail frontage.
Updated flood modelling, based on Australian Rainfall and Runoff (2024) and planning requirements in relation to climate change impacts, made retention of the building unfeasible.
BUI had always desired to keep the structures adjacent the intersection and had completed plans for that retention. The latest adopted flood modelling made it impractical, non-viable and likely uninsurable.
Demolition is a necessary step in delivering the approved masterplan vision for the site and creates an opportunity to redevelop the corner, so it better addresses the Hutchinson and Morphett Street frontages and ensures the long-term success of the development.
The endorsed masterplan includes a food and beverage tenancy on the corner of Morphett and Hutchinson Streets to support activation of the Town Square.
Following community feedback and further investigation, Council resolved not to relocate the library to the City Centre, and it is no longer part of the endorsed masterplan.
Major construction of the first stage is anticipated to begin in July 2026. Completion of the town square is forecast for early 2027.
The first stage of the City Centre project includes the 2,000 square metre town square designed to accommodate both small to medium-sized events and everyday community use. Plans include a central boulevard, a stage and performance lawn, varied seating options, an interactive area adjacent to hospitality, and a mix of native and ornamental plantings. A new plaza connection between Hutchinson and Stephen Streets, providing pedestrian and vehicle access and a flexible area for larger events will also be included.
Council is committed to sharing accurate and timely information to the public on this project through the media, social media and website.
Council has established a Community Reference Group with seven key members of the public selected to represent the diverse Mount Barker community aiding Council to share information equitably to others.