A BOLD proposal to abolish Gawler Council is the latest escalation in the ongoing stoush over boundaries.

Light Regional Council has endorsed a submission to the State Boundaries Commission that would see the existing suburbs of Gawler be taken under the guidance of itself, as well as neighbours Playford and Barossa Councils.

Gawler Council as an entity would cease to exist as part of the plan, which Light Regional Council chief executive Brian Carr said would see a more productive use of Gawler’s assets.

Mr Carr made a presentation to elected members at last week’s Light Regional Council meeting, in direct response to Gawler Council’s own, ongoing, push to take in Hewett, Gawler Belt and Reid.

In it he flagged the repositioning of Gawler’s main street as the ‘Gateway to the Barossa’, and the conversion of the $16 million Civic Centre to a ‘regional headquarters’.

“The Main Street of Gawler has been problematic for years warranting a fresh approach in regional context rather than being presided over by a dysfunctional council,” he said.

A motion, passed 9-1, expressed disappointment in the Town of Gawler’s decision to progress its own “flawed” boundary reform proposal to the second stage, despite several requests for it to withdraw or defer in the interest of progressing a regional vision.

“Light Regional Council considers the decision by the Town of Gawler to proceed to be insular and self-serving and not in the region’s economic interests, particularly given the recent adverse economic impacts to Australia and our region,” it moved.

“Light Regional Council emphasises that this (new) proposal is to support the residents and ratepayers of the current Town of Gawler, as the Town of Gawler and its heritage will continue and remain a significant feature of the region’s fabric; whilst its local government jurisdiction will be spread over three councils… providing efficiencies and productivity in the communities and region’s interest.”

Light Regional Mayor Bill O’Brien told The Bunyip the submission had been well thought-out and was in support of its existing ratepayers.

“Our council made it very very clear they are not going to sit on their hands and wait for someone else to make the decision on the future of parts of our region,” he said.

“We know it’s our duty to protect and I think that is the only proper and right thing to do.”

Gawler Council voted in February to progress its own proposal with the Boundaries Commission, which would also see it also take in Kalbeeba and the Concordia Growth Area (currently Barossa Council), and portions of Evanston Park and Hillier that belong to Playford Council.

Sections of Bibaringa and Uleybury, currently controlled by Gawler Council, would be ceded to Playford Council.

Boundary submission ‘illogical’, says mayor

GAWLER Council has hit-back at its neighbour over a plan that would have it dissolved, calling it “illogical” and an “emotional knee-jerk reaction”.

In response to Light Regional Council’s submission to the State Boundaries Commission, Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said council failed to see how it would service the Gawler Community.

“Splitting the main business district into three different council areas would not serve Gawler’s status as a regional centre or promote any kind of cohesive nature economically nor support our rapidly growing local area’s functionality and servicing,” she said.

“It’s quite an illogical notion. This proposal sadly reflects how little LRC knows about our community.”

In a prepared statement to The Bunyip, Ms Redman goes on to further claim Light Regional’s proposal is “not based on evidence, financial modelling, research, community impact or even real or perceived connection to community”.

“The Town of Gawler is more than happy to assist LRC who seem lost in the dark with a muddled proposal that is based on emotion rather than evidence, let alone addressing the required criteria of the Boundaries Commission,” she said.

“Boundary reform has been on our community’s agenda for many, many years.

“It should come as no surprise to anyone with any knowledge of our region.

“Leadership is about tackling the tough issues and I’m very proud that my council has the strength and vision to take this on.

“I would urge LRC to embrace leadership and have an intelligent, objective conversation that’s based on evidence, not emotion, so we can all go forward together.”