Macclesfield
- about about
- township plan township plan
- Venables Street Upgrade Venables Street Upgrade
- Crystal Lake Park Projects Crystal Lake Park Projects
Macclesfield is steeped in history, nestled amongst rolling hills. Its historic buildings feature the locally quarried mauve sandstone. The township was established by the Davenport family who possessed a special survey in 1840. Their patron was the Earl of Macclesfield. There are still brilliant examples of wattle and daub houses. The township was a base for a famous botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, who collected specimens in the Bugle Ranges. The township of Macclesfield was used by the South Australian Film Corporation for filming “The Week-end of Shadows”. Davenport Square is the village green of Macclesfield with picnic, BBQ and toilet facilities.
places of interest
Lord Robinson Park A picturesque reserve with picnic and native conservation areas, walking trails and is home to the Adelaide Hills Ceramics Association and Sculptors @ Crystal Lake.
Longview Vineyard Stylish cellar door set amongst the rural landscape.
Macclesfield Market Held first Sunday of the month in the Macclesfield Institute.
Macclesfield Historic Township Walk Complete with historic buildings, wide streets and gas-style street lamps.
ANZAC Memorial Garden A peaceful place of reflection and remembrance located at the recreation grounds.
Three Brothers Arms Hotel Popular live music venue in a historic pub.
Macclesfield Institute Heritage listed hall (1881) and community venue. Home to many local groups and available for hire. Includes:
- Hall with stage
- Supper room
- Modern kitchen facilities
- Accessible toilet
- Monthly market
recreation areas
Davenport Square
A nice open grassy area
- BBQ (Electric)
- Picnic Tables
- Lawn / grassed area
- Open space
- Playground
- Toilets
- Skate Park
- Parking
Lord Robinson Park, incorporating Crystal Lake Park
Lord Robinson Park is a unique and important piece of community land located at the southern end of the township. Historically significant to the town this land now performs a function for the community as an important site for arts and culture, health and wellbeing and environmental conservation.
Main entrance with access to Crystal Lake and sculpture park is at the corner of Pound Road and Pochin Street. Entrance for walking trails is from the corner of Nunnelly Street and Strathalbyn Road. Both areas have carparks.
- Lake / river / creek
- Lawn / grassed area
- Walking trails and sculpture walk
- Adelaide Hills Ceramic Association
- Sculptors @ Crystal Lake
- Revegetation Restoration Rehabilitation site
- Picnic area
- Parking
Macclesfield Recreation Grounds
Macclesfield Recreation Grounds is heavily forested around the perimeter and is extensively improved with sporting facilities including tennis, netball and football.
2-8 Davies Street, Macclesfield
PO Box 112 Macclesfield SA 5153
- Oval including cricket pitch
- Netball courts
- Tennis courts
- ANZAC Memorial Gardens
- BMX track
- Macclesfield Men's Shed
- Kidman Trail - trailhead
- Clubrooms
walking trails
Day Paddock Park
The Day Paddock Park is a conservation reserve with a walking trail which contains prolific wildflowers including a variety of native orchids in spring.
- Native Bushland
- Trees (urban forests)
- Walking trails
Night Paddock Park
Named from historic practice of agisting overnight, a milking cow or horse used for transport. Approx 5.5 ha in size.
Adelaide to Strathalbyn Road (Opposite the Oval Complex), Macclesfield
- Picnic tables
- Revegetation Restoration Rehabilitation site
- Walking trails
Stone Reserve
Natural bushland
- Horse Riding,
- Native Bushland,
- Walking trails
The Kidman Trail
A trail head for the Kidman Trail is located at the Macclesfield Recreation Ground. The trail is a 269 km multi-use trail for walkers, mountain biking and horse riding.
Kangowirrinilla Trail
40 km walking and cycling trail that forms a loop with the Heysen Trail click here to view map
more information
For more information on activities, events and groups in Macclesfield visit Macclesfieldsa.com
To find out how to connect with and get involved in this community, including sporting and community groups, visit SAcommunity, South Australia's community information directory.
Council endorsed a Township Plan for Macclesfield at its meeting on 2 March 2020 (minutes / agenda). The plan was developed in association with the community to provide a long term vision for the town, identifying key objectives and priorities across a number of themes to ensure that the town continues to develop as a highly liveable place. This project is part of a Council initiative which will see Townships Plans developed for all major settlements throughout the District by 2020.
Community Consultation Submissions
Community Consultation Survey Results
Implementation Progress
To see the progress on the implementation of the Macclesfield Township Plan, please view the document below:
Project Contact
For further information, please contact Kristian Wohlstadt, Senior Strategic Planner via email on kwohlstadt@mountbarker.sa.gov.au or phone on (08) 8391 7219.
In 2014 Council endorsed a masterplan for the future upgrade of Venables Street, Macclesfield mainstreet (see link to Venables Street Master Plan below). Following this Council designed and constructed Stage 1 of these upgrades on the western side of the street from Todd Street to the Post Office during the 2016/17 financial year. The second stage of works to the western side of the street were completed the following year (2017/18) with upgrades extending form the Post Office to the Three Brothers Arms, the extent of the commercial precinct on the western side of the street.
In the 2020/21 financial year Council commenced design work for upgrades to the eastern side of the street from Parin Street to Sturt Street. This work has included an updated concept plan (see link below) and more recently detailed civil design work. Council has now secured funding through LRCI grant to complete this design work and construct a portion of the planned upgrades to the eastern side of the street during the 2021/22 financial year. This work is currently underway and construction is due to commence in late 2021.
Venables Street Master Plan
Council endorsed the Venables Street Master Plan at its meeting on 7 October 2014 (minutes / agenda).
Venables Street Stage 3 (eastern side) Upgrade
November 2022
Wet weather is playing havoc with progress, the storm on 12/11/22 caused some significant damage to the works-in-progress.
In the meantime, works are continuing:
- Fitzgerald fines footpath
- ballast lined swale
- stormwater pipework to creek
- flagstone paving re-lay
October 2022
Construction continuing but again hampered by ongoing wet weather:
- pavement box out
- Fitzgerald fines footpath
- vegetation clearance
September 2022
Site clearance, vegetation pruning and box out continuing for new Fitzgerald Fines footpath.
August 2022
More good news, Stage 3.2 is about to commence the week of 29 August!
This stage of works continues from the end of Stage 3.1 at the Macclesfield Institute to 43-49 Venables Street opposite Sturt Street and includes:
- Relaying of flagstone paving outside no. 35 Venables Street
- Removal of 2 existing street trees outside 35 Venables Street due to associated root damage to paving/cottage
- New rubble footpath, driveways and parking areas (Fitzgerald Fines finish as per the opposite side of the street)
- Re-grading of road verge to improve stormwater collection and run-off
- Extension of stormwater rock-lined swale alongside 43-49 Venables Street to new outlet in creek
- New wooden bench seat
- Other ancillary and finishing works as necessary
Almost finished!
Works are approaching completion for Stage 3.1, including paving, landscaping, street lighting and finishing works.
July 2022
Works progressing towards completion for Stage 3.1 including block paving, pavement preparation for asphalt, stormwater drainage, light columns, topsoiling & landscaping preparation.
Good progress is being made with block paving, concrete footpaths, concrete kerbing & plinths, stormwater drainage, stone protuberances.
Work is continuing with concrete kerbing, stone protuberances and block paving.
June 2022
Work is progressing well over the last couple of weeks:
Venables Street Stage 3 - Civil Construction Drawings
- concrete spoon drain
- concrete plinth (back of footpath)
- concrete kerbing
- stone protuberances
- reduce level dig
- pavement box-out
- asphalt removal
Construction of the concrete spoon drain is continuing in sections despite the inclement weather - works still on program.
Works have now commenced with progress made for contractor mobilisation to site, survey and service locations, saw cutting of pavement edge and preparations for drainage.
May 2022
Council has now completed the final civil design for the upgrade of the eastern side of Venables Street in Macclesfield (Venables Street Stage 3). This work has been completed in consultation with the Macclesfield Community Association, Macclesfield Hotel and Adelaide Hills Getaway, the three businesses directly effected by the street upgrades.
The project has been split into two stages stage of work, Stage 3.1 extending from Vernon Street to the southern side of the Macclesfield Institute and Stage 3.2 which continues south from the Macclesfield Institute to the end of the mainstreet opposite Sturt Street. Whilst the design work completed includes both Stages 3.1 and 3.2, construction work for this financial year will focus on the 160m stretch of mainstreet contained within Stage 3.1, which includes the bulk of the street upgrades and in particular:
- - Paved footpaths, dining and public seating areas;
- - Two new pedestrian crossings;
- - Additional street trees (6);
- - Additional street lighting;
- - Stone edged garden beds with lower level landscaping;
- - Construction of new kerbing and drainage;
- - Resurfaced on street parking areas;
Following a competitive tendering process Council has awarded the construction contract for Stage 3.1 to SEM, with workplanned to commence Wednesday 18th May 2022 and continue through until 30th June 2022. Council is aware of the need to work with local businesses and the community over the construction period to ensure access to the mainstreet its businesses will continue during this period.
For any further questions on this project please contact the project manager Kristian Wohlstadt, kwohlstadt@mountbarker.sa.gov.au or 83917219
January 2022
Council has allocated funding from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) grant fund to complete the next stage of work as part of the continued upgrade of Venables Street. This work focuses on improvements to the eastern side of the street and a concept design (see link below) has now been completed for this work, following engagement with businesses owners along the eastern side of the street.
Venables Street Upgrade Eastern Side
Council is currently working through the detailed civil design for these upgrades and will seek to priorities the delivery of this work between Parin Street and the Macclesfield Institute. It is anticipated that construction work commence in February-March 2022.
If you have any questions or feedback with regard to this project please contact:
Kristian Wohlstadt, Senior Strategic Planner
Email: kwohlstadt@mountbarker.sa.gov.au
Phone: 08 83917219
- June 2023 Update
Work continues on the installation of control bollards, swing boom gates and totem poles.
May 2023 Update
Update on progress this week:
- Volunteers and earthmover have mobilised to site.
- Excavation/boring for all 180 traffic control bollards, swing boom gates and totem poles is complete.
- Excavation for the large 13 tonne rock foundation at the interface between the access road and future stage 1 sensory trail is also complete.
- Concrete is booked for Monday 8 May to commence concreting in the bollards, boom gates & totems etc.
- A 40 tonne crane is booked for Tuesday 9 May to relocate the large rock to its final resting place.
- A smaller crane truck to relocate the smaller seat rocks will follow on later next week.
- Final concrete pours and finishing works to follow on after all seat rocks are located.
Work at Crystal Lake Park starting 1 May
Take care when you visit Crystal Lake Park this week.
The dedicated volunteers of the Macclesfield Men's Shed will be installing bollards and gates to control vehicle movements in the park. The project will also include some large rocks and, in the future, artworks like carved logs.
Why is this happening? After numerous complaints from the public in recent years, Mount Barker Council investigated the options for improving security and preventing the damage and risk caused by vehicles. Council made the decision to install bollards as a permanent physical barrier.
Who is doing it? The Macclesfield Community Association and Macclesfield Men's Shed are undertaking the project for Council. The Men's Shed will raise some funds for their group through doing the project. The design was approved by Council.
February 2023 Update
F Re-Sheeting of Crystal Lake Access Road
Council’s Maintenance & Operations team will be re-sheeting the access road over the next 3-4 weeks.
A new 100-150mm layer of rubble will be spread and compacted over the 315m length of existing access road from the Pound Road entrance to the new toilet block.
These works will address the reported dust and pothole issues as well as providing much better ride-ability for vehicles accessing the site.
Heavy plant and machinery will be in-use so please be vigilant and drive to the conditions over the coming weeks.
New Traffic Management Measures
A number of historical incidences of unauthorised vehicular access around Crystal Lake which is both dangerous to other park users and has caused some damage.
As a result, Council recently approved a sum of $25,000 to be used towards suitable traffic management measures to prevent this from happening.
In order to get maximum benefit from this budget, Council has been working with both the Macclesfield Community Association and Men’s Shed to progress a suitable upgrade.
A series of bollards, boom gates, large rocks and other devices will be used to confine vehicular access to recognised areas.
Procurement of the various materials is nearing completion with construction works scheduled to commence later in March following completion of the access road re-sheeting above.
November 2022
It's finished!
Installation of the toilet block, storage tanks and ancillary works in nearing completion.
Good progress is being made:
- 4 no. septic tanks excavated, installed & backfilled
- Stormwater/groundwater drainage installed
- The area around the septic tanks has been rubbled/compacted to bring up to finished road level
- Concrete foundations poured for toilet block
- Underfloor plumbing/electrical complete
- Trenching of water/electrical supply from main shed complete
Some good progress has been made over the past few days with site establishment, excavation, plus delivery and installation of the four septic tanks. We found some rock as expected but this hasn’t hindered progress too much.
The eagerly-awaited Lord Robinson Toilets is now under main construction !
The community-led accommodation works including earthworks and retaining wall are complete which will now be followed by the installation of the new toilet block and underground storage tanks.
Council has been been working with the Macclesfield community to determine the best location for the new toilet to be built at Lord Robinson Park (Crystal Lake Park). A contractor to build the toilet and required retaining walls has been selected and is ready to go. Construction will begin shortly and, weather permitting, will be finished by the end of August 2022.
