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Barossa Council Update
September 2024
Kicking goals at Barossa Park Project
The Barossa Park Project is on track to become a new home for major events in South Australia, kicking off with the inaugural Barossa AFL Gather Round, which has been locked in for April 10 to 13, 2025.
“It’s terrific to see work is well underway on our AFL oval, which is inspired by ‘the hill’ at iconic Adelaide Oval,” The Barossa Council Mayor, Bim Lange says. “Built to full AFL specifications with 750 lux lighting, it really will have the best view in the house.
“Work is also advancing rapidly on the main two storey facility, which will be complemented by a new event pavilion to service the main oval.”
In more great news for the regional economy, so far local and regional suppliers have either been directly engaged or employed via subcontracts to the value of $6.58 million.
Among the local suppliers are Buttrose Earthmovers, Barossa Earthworks, Crane Services Barossa Valley, Hanson Angaston KMW Concrete Constructions, Barossa Valley Hire, Barossa Quarries and Tom Feist Civil Construction and Earthworks.
Barossa Park Project is a partnership between The Barossa Council and the SA Government, delivering sports, event and community facilities.
Plans unveiled for student exchange
A 2025 student exchange program is on the cards after The Barossa Council hosted a visit from Grapevine, USA.
Paul W. McCallum (PW), representing our Texas Sister City, met with staff and students from Nuriootpa High School and Faith Lutheran College, and says the possibilities are exciting.
“In a sense it really does begin with the youth and the ideas of the schools. There are opportunities for us to learn from what they are doing and vice versa,” says PW.
“You really do reach out at every level; the parents and the schools become more aware and it creates opportunities to mentor and grow in both directions.”
Exchange programs are part of broader discussions about future opportunities between the Barossa and Grapevine involving trade, events and marketing.
Chair of RDA Barossa, Gawler, Light and Adelaide Plains, Rolf Binder, says the mutual benefits of the Sister City relationship are exciting.
“We’re looking to make real connections, create economic development and look for unique opportunities to work together and set up trade possibilities,” he says.
Plans are already underway for a Grapevine visit to the Barossa in 2025. For more information search ‘Sister Cities’ at barossa.sa.gov.au
Nature at its best
We’re pleased to announce the winner of our Barossa’s Best Native Garden Competition is Rebecca Mussared.
Rebecca’s Williamstown garden impressed our judges, a group of lovely Barossa Bushgardens volunteers who voted for their favourite, with the tiny pathway offering an invitation to explore.
Native groundcovers, small to big shrubs and mature trees created what was described as a “really cosy feeling” and provided all the layers of an ecosystem to make a perfect refuge for native animals.
Rebecca says she was both honoured and delighted by the win.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to share our gardens; the photo competition gave me another way to enjoy it and I loved interacting with it like this,” Rebecca says.
“I love my garden… I can remind myself I must be doing something right as the Barossa Bushgardens like it too.
“Thanks also to all of the Bushgardens’ wonderful founders and volunteers, I always see and learn something new when I visit. What a jewel it is in the Barossa.”
Rebecca is passionate about native plants and seeing birds and animals enjoy them inspires her to plant more.
“It’s not all about us,” she says. “It’s about thinking global and acting local and a good way to do that is to get out in the garden!”