The Park Ward encompasses the suburbs of Glenalta, Hawthorndene and parts of Blackwood, Belair, and Upper Sturt.

Council recently set the four key priorities that will guide decision making for the remainder of the term and I provide some context and comment on them.

Priority 1 - Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience

Mitcham Council is investing in energy storage and energy production and promoting the Community Renewables Program, which has strong community take up. Council has become a conduit for households to add batteries and solar to their houses which can add value to properties, reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

The next step on this priority is to work with SA Power Networks on a roll out of EV charging using Stobie poles. This can generate revenues for Council and also create scale for EV charging infrastructure.

Also the stormwater system is under increased stress from weather events and Council is investing in enhanced stormwater infrastructure and Water Sensitive Urban Design.

Priority 2 – Natural Environment

The quality of the natural environment is a central issue for most residents. We see this in the enhanced tree plantings expected and Council is delivering 1,800 street trees per year, up from 1,200 from when I joined Council in 2018.

Communities value their parks which are often used for exercise and activity, and many have been enhanced with additional greening and Water Sensitive Urban Design. The quality of the natural environment in our urban centres is also crucial and plantings in more densely populated urban areas and shopping districts is vital and something I’m keen to see occur more often.

Trees have become even more important to reducing heat in our suburbs and providing shade and beauty.

Priority 3 – Creating vibrant precincts and investment in community infrastructure

The reason we invested in Tiwu Kumangka, the Blackwood Community Hub was to bring community to the heart of Blackwood. The improved library and community centre has been a major success since it opened. In this term, we’ve extended community centre provision to the Pasadena and St Marys community.

Post COVID, with lock-downs still fresh in the minds for many, the capacity of community to meet, socialise, and enjoy activities is a crucial facilitation role for Council. This can lift lifespans, quality of life, and even raise property values too. It’s the ultimate win-win.

Council is also pursuing master plans that enhance public spaces and I hope we can extend this to Apex Park in my ward soon. A vibrant Blackwood business district is critical and the development of the old Library site will create vibrancy.

Priority 4 – Good Governance

Good governance underpins everything we do. The challenge for the remainder of the Council term is to keep our debt levels under control, whilst at the same time, making the investments in these priorities. The debt increases year on year over the last decade can’t continue indefinitely.

This is the big challenge we have and one I will ensure we consider in every budget decision. Making good strategic investment choices is central to good governance and ratepayer value being maximised.

This article may contain personal views or opinions held by individual Council Members, and may not necessarily represent the formal position of the Council