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Don Barrett - Councillor for The Barossa Council

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Don Barrett - Councillor for The Barossa Council

This is the official page of Don Barrett, Councillor for The Barossa Council. I also became involved with cricket as a player and football as a trainer.

About me:
Along with my wife Sue and three children I came to live in Mount Pleasant in the mid-nineties. Sue worked locally at the Birdwood Primary School and High Schools until she retired. Before leaving home, our three sons became involved in local sport from Little Athletics at Springton and football and cricket at Birdwood. I also served on the Mount Pleasant Primary School Council. I semi-r

etired after a 39-year policing career which comprised many leadership positions, including Officer in Charge of the Ceduna CIB, Penong Police Station, Marla Police Station and Operations Manager at the Elizabeth and Murray Bridge Police Stations. In 2001 I travelled to East Timor as a Co-ordinator with the Australian contingent of United Nations Peacekeepers. Within my area of responsibility, I oversaw their first free and democratic elections. Additionally, I lived in Papua and New Guinea in 2003 and 2004 working on an Ausaid Project as an advisor to the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary, based out of Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands Province. During my police career I obtained tertiary qualifications in Indigenous Studies and Adult Learning and was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 1995 for Distinguished Police Service. Whilst living at Penong and Marla I became a member of the local Progress Associations, working with the Outback Areas Community Development Trust to deliver council like services to those towns and districts. Currently I drive school buses for Birdwood High School. I have volunteered in a number of roles including as Secretary of the local Men’s Shed, Chairperson of the Hills Group of JP’s and I’m an active service member of the Mount Pleasant RSL. I enjoy giving freely of my time to help our community, including making in excess of 270 blood donations. For relaxation I have walked the Lavender Federation Trail (Murray Bridge to Clare - 356 kilometres), and the Heysen Trail (1200 kilometres) from Cape Jervis to Parachilna. These walks have given me a very good appreciation of rural South Australia, especially The Barossa Council area. I also enjoy woodwork, gardening, and reading. I am a Councillor across the whole of The Barossa Council, but have a focus on issues in the southern areas. I am seeking your support via this medium, (Facebook) to be elected as a Councillor for a second term, and to continue representing people with their concerns and interactions with Council. Feel free to contact me with any issues that you may have. Don Barrett
Tel: 040 001 9586

11/11/2024

Mt Pleasant RSL Remembrance Day commemoration this morning.

27/10/2022

Spent a few hours down at the Men’s Shed Monday morning doing general tidying and preparing woodwork lessons and materials for next week when the year 6 children from the Mt. Pleasant Primary School will be at the shed. They will be working on memorial crosses in preparation for the Remembrance Day Commemoration at the Mt. Pleasant RSL on Friday the 11th of November, 2022. Should people have time in their busy schedule they are more than welcome to attend the ceremony and see the newly refurbished Sub-branch, it’s a credit to all involved.

Immediately after lunch I attended the Barossa Reconciliation meeting via Teams, where a range of issues were discussed as we progress in incremental stages towards a Reconciliation Action Plan.

I continue with the theme of ‘do it once, do it right.’ In doing so I again provide an example of concrete being poured one day, I highlighted to the relevant Council staff what’s wrong with the concrete pour, and within a day or two it’s taken up, and the job formed up again and another concrete pour takes place.

In this instance I didn’t go looking for this error, it occurred immediately in front of my house. The error was that there was no pram/pedestrian ramp on the southern side of Melrose Street whereas there was one on the northern side. Any pedestrian is supposed to walk straight across a road as per Australian Road Rules. Without a pram/pedestrian ramp on the southern side of Melrose Street pedestrians were being led to a pram/pedestrian ramp in Saleyard Road, contrary to Australian Road Rules. The ramp had to be straight across the road and it wasn’t.

The pictures tell the story, you can see the kerb fully formed without a pram/pedestrian ramp ready for the laying of pavers and then the completed footpath with the pram/pedestrian ramp retro-fitted to comply with legislation.

Under my watch I will continually strive to ensure that any Council project, no matter where within Council is finished to the highest possible level within the allocated budget. I could have cited other examples in other towns such as Lyndoch however I have chosen this particular example simply because I have photographs to show the situation.

Vote Don Barrett 1 for local representation.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant, SA 5235.

24/10/2022

Today I’m turning my attention to infrastructure and the old saying ‘do it once, do it right’ Just before I came onto Council a new section footpath and kerbing was laid between Saleyard Road and the footbridge in Melrose Street – the Birdwood side of Mount Pleasant. Being new to Council I looked at the finished product and noticed that water wouldn’t flow away from in front of the local butcher shop and premises adjacent, instead it would pool at each of the low points as the fall was wrong. Even though the kerbing only about 4 years old it need rectification, so I raised this issue with the appropriate Council staff member, the matter was examined and a decision made that the relatively new kerbing would be taken up, there would be a new concrete pour and this time the fall would be done correctly. I estimate a minimum of 20 to 30 metres of concrete kerbing was replaced. This was when there are many gutters and kerbs throughout Council that need attention, and here we were replacing kerbing less than 5 years into its useful life because the levels were wrong. If this was the only example, I would be more accepting, we are all human and mistakes happen however you will see by posts over the next few days that this is not the only instance of relatively new concrete having to be replaced after it has been laid.
Despite the cost involved this is not the standard I am prepared to walk past. As you can see, I have done something about the kerb and gutter so that it is now functional. This is what having a local Councillor achieves, someone who sees local matters and does something about it.
In the flyer that I have been handing out I state that I will be supporting in the strongest possible terms the Barossa Water Security Strategy. The economic driver behind this region is the wine industry and grape growers. Down this way things are a little bit different we aren’t in the Barossa GI area, however water is none the less important. To that end, on the 1st and the 3rd of November, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board are holding two meetings in the Mount Pleasant Soldiers’ Memorial Hall to discuss options regarding water in the Marne Saunders catchment. Please see the enclosed meeting notification put out by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board. Get along to the relevant meeting and have your say, just like voting in this Council election.

Vote Don Barrett 1 for local representation.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant SA 5235.

23/10/2022

Wednesday morning I went to the Mt. Pleasant Men’s Shed where for Mental Health Awareness Month in South Australia, Denise Westwood, a Mental Health Nurse from the Lyall McEwin Hospital gave an excellent presentation about mental health. A presentation full of many valuable insights from an insider’s point of view. The shed is certainly being put to the use envisaged by the Australian Men’s Shed Association and the Barossa Council when they contributed to its construction. (picture of Denise)

I spent late Thursday morning and early afternoon at Woodside providing my services as a Justice of the Peace at the Adelaide Hills Business Centre, thank you to Gordon Kay for the provision of your premises.

Thursday evening, I travelled to Lyndoch with fellow candidate Bob Woodbury where we attended a meeting of the Southern Barossa Alliance. Bob is Secretary of that organisation, well done Bob for your community involvement. It was also pleasing to see another candidate, Katrin Lohner in attendance, providing information about herself to those in attendance. It was appreciated, and by listening I learnt quite a lot more than what is in her Candidate Profile, thank you Katrin.

Friday I was over to Williamstown and Lyndoch with Bob Woodbury, we went for a walk around both towns, doorknocking, handing out flyers, listening and learning about many and varied Council related issues.

Saturday morning, I was on the gate at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market, again handing out my election flyer and speaking to people about Council related matters as they came through the gate. Again, roads were top of the pops, that is where people want improvement, and not just at a local Council level.

My last two posts have provided examples of the provision of public services, I continue on the same theme this evening. The year before last a new section of footpath was laid in Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant. That work encompassed new drainage work at the junction with Saleyard Road. Then earlier this year there was new footpath and road work in Saleyard Road. I watched as gravel from the top of Saleyard Road washed down the hill and filled the drainage pit at the corner of Melrose Street and Saleyard Road. Water was flowing across Melrose Street causing a danger to motorists. I contacted Council and the pit was cleared of debris. After the next shower of rain again water flowed down Saleyard Road and out onto Melrose Street, it was obvious to me that the drain was blocked and water was not flowing to the River Torrens. I walked across Melrose Street and found water bubbling up from underneath the bitumen road. Again, I contacted Council and a staff member attend where I showed him my observations. A camera was called for and the drain inspected, a section of pipe under the road had collapsed. Luckily contractors were in Mount Pleasant carrying out other civil works, they were contacted, dug up the road, cleared the drain and installed a new piece of pipe, finally the drainage works. As you can see from this and other examples as a Councillor, I have constantly struggled to have preventative maintenance undertaken rather than persistent reactive maintenance. I’ll continue to advocate for preventative maintenance. As a local I see things and do something about it so that communities are developed in a socially just manner. Vote 1 Don Barrett for local representation.
Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant SA 5235.

19/10/2022

Tuesday morning I read all 89 pages for the Council meeting later that evening. As far as Council meetings go this was very light on, being in the middle of the caretaker period. I remember vividly one Agenda of just over 1300 pages, that took some reading.

Mid-morning I went down to the Men’s Shed and prepared for metal work lessons later in the day with children in Year 6 at the local primary school. With Murray Henderson, we walked with the children from the primary school to the Men’s Shed where each of the students made a hanging, scrolled pot plant holder. This was the first introduction of the children to metal work and all walked away with a completed item. The Men’s Shed was built by the men of the district, principally to cater for the health issues related to men, and since its opening it’s done that and more. We are also providing a creative and educational service to the youth of this area. I will say more tomorrow about other activities within the Men’s Shed. It would be remiss of me not to mention the Barossa Council, they contributed approximately $30,000 to assist with the construction of the shed, plus a 21 year land only lease for the land upon which the shed is built.

Early evening I attended the Council meeting, and it was good to see several candidates in attendance watching the proceedings. I was on my way home by 6.00 pm.

In my last post I provided a drainage example to highlight the provision of public services, tonight I provide another drainage example from the main street of Mount Pleasant, this time from the Memorial Avenue and Melrose Street junction. In this instance there were gravel paths at the top of Memorial Avenue and any time it rained the gravel would wash down the hill and around the corner into Melrose Street where the sand and gravel would block the drain. Once blocked water would flow out towards the centre of Melrose Street, the main road through Mount Pleasant. This was a reoccurring problem whenever it rained. The photographs that I have provided show the situation until I advocated for the matter to be rectified by verge sealing and improved drainage. That junction is now a lot safer without excessive pooling of water.

I keep striving for Council to carry out preventative maintenance rather than having to constantly request reactive maintenance, it can’t be cost effective. Remember, vote Don Barrett number 1, a local person seeing local issues and having them fixed.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant SA 5235.

18/10/2022

I Spent Sunday and Monday in and around Eden Valley and Springton, speaking to many people, and delivered as many flyers as possible before the Electoral Packs arrived at local Post Offices for distribution. On Monday evening, I popped over to Eden Valley and attended their monthly tourism meeting - they are doing an excellent job in promoting their area to locals and tourists. Even though the Wine Auction to be held on the 30th of this month is not an event of the tourism body, they will be front and centre assisting the Institute committee wherever possible, well done to the Eden Valley community.
As most of my doorknocking is drawing to a close, only a few more to be done, I have been reflecting on the last 4 years and what has been achieved. I had a vision that Council would ‘provide and co-ordinate various public services and facilities and to develop its community and resources in a socially just and ecologically sustainable manner.’ Over the next few days, I will provide examples of such a simple thing as getting the drainage correct within the main street of Mount Pleasant, a basic public service. After 4 years I am starting to see change however there is plenty more work to be done. The example I provide tonight has been a long standing issue, and I remember speaking about this to former Mayor Brian Hurn when he came to Mt. Pleasant many years ago.
For many years the drain in the gutter between the local bakery and Lee’s Motor Cycle Shop has had problems after rain but it is exacerbated when the gutters are not cleaned of fallen leaves – the footpath would be covered in water so that people had to walk on the roadway. I have included a few photographs showing leaf litter build up on the footpath and in the gutter – totally covering the drain, the footpath covered in sludge, making it unsafe to walk upon, the footpath totally covered in water and finally the solution, a different drain in the bottom of the gutter and a new side entry pit. Through emails with the relevant Council staff, I advocated for a long term solution to the problem. Hopefully, after more years than I care to remember, this matter has been resolved and the people of Mt. Pleasant can walk along the footpath rather than the road. This isn’t some small back road, but the main street of Mt. Pleasant.
Remember, this is a local Government election so vote Don Barrett No. 1 for the rectification of local issues. I live local, see local things and act to have matters fixed.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant SA 5235.

15/10/2022

I’m back online again after having had a small break (holiday) for a few days, interesting with technology where you can be so close to everything but eons away due to very poor telecommunications. I feel for the people of Springton and their poor telecommunications. Even though telecommunications is a Federal matter, I will continue to advocate for and on behalf of the people of Springton for an improved Telstra service.

This morning was spent in and around Springton, following up with a ratepayer regarding their rubbish bin collection. I also caught up with another ratepayer regarding a matter raised through an earlier Facebook post, much information was provided and exchanged. It was good to see The Member for Schubert, Ashton Hurn meeting up with Springton residents, I even managed to have a chat with her about a Council related matter.

I resumed after lunch and watched a bit of cricket at the SCG – Springton Cricket Ground. It was excellent to see cricket being played locally between two sides from the Torrens Valley Cricket Association. Currently Springton doesn’t have a cricket side so cricket isn’t normally played there, however with all the rain we have been having lately, the grounds within the Torrens Valley Association were too wet for cricket, so Springton was selected as an alternative venue, and an excellent venue it is.

I spent the entire afternoon doorknocking properties to the eastern side of the road between Springton – Eden Valley. The most common theme was again the condition of Council roads. At about 5.40 p.m., I had finished my electioneering for the day and was heading back home along Jutland Road near the water reserve when I came across a section of road that, due to water erosion, presented as a danger to motorists. There was a large hole covering about half the road surface so I stopped and photographed the road damage with the intention of reporting it to Council for their attention. I didn’t get that far, at 5.40 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon a Council works crew were on site from Williamstown and filled the hole making it safe for motorists – an excellent effort by Council staff. I didn’t even get time to report the matter, someone had phoned it in before me and Council responded. I’ve since heard that at about midday the day before water was flowing about 30cms over the ford adjacent to the water reserve, no wonder there was such erosion.

Besides the erosion issue, this afternoon resulted in the submission of two Council Customer requests to fix a road sign that has been knocked over, and for the rectification of a drainage matter so that water flows off the road and not cover approximately a third to half the road.

Remember, if you want local matters given attention, Vote 1 Don Barrett.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant SA 5235

11/10/2022

I took Sunday as a day of rest during the election campaign, other than doing a post during the evening, then back into campaign mode yesterday and off to Springton, where I spent a few more hours door knocking and speaking to many people. A common theme to emerge was the lack of things to do for young children, that is why it is so important that the Master Plan for Springton is completed. Should I be re-elected the Master Plan for Springton will be a focus for that town.

I continued on to Eden Valley where I spent a few hours doorknocking and speaking to as many people as I could. The issues within Eden Valley were many and varied from roads (state and local government), footpaths, toilets and general recreational facilities. Having been a regular attendee of the Eden Valley tourism meetings, none of these came as a surprise, they are matters that I’m aware of, and should I be re-elected I will continue to advocate for and on behalf of the Eden Valley community. I had one enquiry from the local cricket club about when Council will mow the oval now that Council does in-house lawn mowing. That enquiry has been passed onto Council staff for a reply before the commencement of the cricket season.

At the beginning of this term of Council I advocated for an upgrade of the Murray Park Recreational facility (local oval) under the Big Project, as unlike Springton, a Master Plan has been completed for Murray Park. Unfortunately, there wasn’t sufficient support amongst fellow Councillors and Murray Park was not included in the priority list of Big Project plans to be considered for advancement.

Should I be re-elected I will ‘up’ my lobbying efforts to include the Murray Park upgrade as one of the projects considered as a priority within Council, it’s all about the numbers, and after one term in Council I am a lot wiser and far better equipped to represent some of the smaller towns.

Unlike the larger towns such as Mount Pleasant and Williamstown the Eden Valley Institute (hall) is not a Council facility. It is a locally owned and run facility. The local people bear all of the costs in relation to maintaining and improving the building. To that end each year the Institute has a wine auction as their major fundraiser. The event this year will be held at the Institute on Sunday the 30th of October. Get along and support this worthy cause, as the institutes and halls of small country towns are the life blood of our communities, and they need all the support we can give. I know there are many people involved in such an event but a big shout out to Michael Meadley, he does such an amazing job in cataloguing the wines.

Vote 1 Don Barrett for local representation

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant SA 5235

09/10/2022

On Friday morning I returned to Cromer and continued doorknocking, this time mainly around the Blackwood Road area. I received a similar response as I have in previous days, that is people are not happy with the state of the roads, however to balance that point of view, some people want the roads to remain of gravel construction so that the area is not inundated with city people and small blocks. People in and around Cromer want their large blocks plus their peace and solitude.

It is interesting what you notice when you have been living in an area for a long time. I went to a property on Blackwood Road and a young girl there was quite excited to tell me all about her horse, she even told me its name. I recognised the horse and its full name. The young girl couldn’t work out how this total stranger knew all about her horse – a friend of mine had previously owned it. I mention this small incident because horses are important to so many people throughout the Barossa but especially down the southern end.

During this term of Council, Talunga Park (Mt. Pleasant Oval) was listed as a Big Project priority for the construction of horse stables, but unfortunately, Council staff could not identify any suitable grant programmes to advance the construction of the stables. Should I be re-elected I will strive to put the construction of stables back on the priority list in the next term of Council. The equestrian industry contributes so much to the economy and it needs all the support, I and other like-minded Councillors can provide.

I completed Friday afternoon by doorknocking the area south east of Mount Pleasant down to the southernmost tip of The Barossa Council area. This area is similar to Cromer, and other than the Department of Infrastructure and Transport Roads, all Council roads in that area are of gravel construction. Again, I came across many lifestyle and horse properties.

Saturday morning started with a coffee at the Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market and a chat with the manager regarding maintenance on the buildings used by the Farmers Market, a bit of follow up with Council staff will flow from that chat. Once a respectable hour was reached, I recommenced doorknocking in and around Mount Pleasant – a few properties I had missed in the previous week.

I then moved slowly over towards Springton, covering many of the rural properties between Mount Pleasant and Springton. As an incumbent Councillor I had many questions posed of me, and I provided responses to all matters however one will require a bit of follow up.

After lunch it was on foot and doorknocking houses within the township of Springton. I had many conversations, the most interesting being about a Master Plan for the township of Springton under the banner of The Big Project. I have been working with the Springton Progress Association and senior Council staff on the completion of a Master Plan to cover areas within Springton such as recreation, culture and social infrastructure. The Master Plan is in its early stages, and once complete, like all Master Plans it will go to the local community for consultation and further refining. Perhaps there is the possibility of a footbridge to the Herbig Tree. Should I be re-elected I will continue to work towards the completion of the Master Plan.

For local representation vote 1 Don Barrett.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant, SA 5235

07/10/2022

With the rain finally starting to ease on Wednesday, I drove over to Springton and started doorknocking and handing out my election flyer. I didn’t get all of Springton covered in one day, so I will return later in the campaign.

I returned home late in the afternoon and went over to Nuriootpa for a Council workshop. As Council is in caretaker mode, not a great deal was discussed however after the workshop I had a quick chat with the CEO of The Barossa Council about ballot boxes, and their location during this election. In the past there have been ballot boxes spread across Council and if someone was running late in submitting their ballot paper they could pop into the local library in Mt. Pleasant or Lyndoch, as examples, and cast their vote right up to the last minute. That is not the case this election, there is only ONE ballot box located within The Barossa Council area and that is at the Principal Council office in Nuriootpa. Voting packs will be posted out to electors between the 14th and the 20th of October, and to be a valid vote they must be returned by 5.00 pm on Thursday the 10th of November, 2022.

As there is only one ballot box, I urge everyone to complete their ballot paper as soon as possible and mail it to ensure it reaches its destination by 5.00 pm on Thursday the 10th of November, 2022. Unless you live in Nuriootpa, you won’t be able to pop down to the library at the last minute and cast your vote, so vote early. Please note the decision to have only one ballot box is NOT a decision of Council so don’t blame council.

I planned to doorknock the Cromer area yesterday and first thing in the morning I received a phone call and an email from a resident regarding the condition of the roads in and around Cromer, I wasn’t looking forward to doorknocking that area because of it.

After spending a bit of time with a Mount Pleasant resident, I went to Cromer and started doorknocking and dropping off flyers. As I did so I spoke with many people and the main topic raised by residents was the condition of the roads, there were many pot holes across many roads, one road even had warning signs. Thankfully on Pontt Road I came across the Council Grader operator, (no I did not organise his presence, he was just there doing his work). He is fully aware of the situation and is working as quickly as possible to bring the roads back up to the required standard. The weather hasn’t helped, and as such the roads in that area are taking longer than normal to bring back up to standard.

People may have noticed a couple of traffic counters on the roads in and around Cromer. These are Barossa Council counters, installed so that Council has a better idea of the traffic volumes in that area. Such information greatly assists in the Council decision making process as to services in any given area. Should I be re-elected I will be very interested to see the traffic volumes that are using those roads, rather than just anecdotal evidence.

For local representation vote 1 Don Barrett, I’m back out to Cromer again today.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant, SA 5235

04/10/2022

Over the weekend I continued door knocking in and around Mount Pleasant, I have almost finished all properties with the township boundaries.

On my election flyer you will see that I have a Vision that Council provide and co-ordinate various public services and facilities in a timely manner so to develop its communities and resources in a socially just and ecologically sustainable manner. I have taken this straight from the Local Government Act, it is what people expect, and also what Parliament envisaged when the Local Government Act was written.

As I went from property to property I took careful note of Council assets, to see if what I have been working towards during the last 4 years is being delivered on the ground. This morning I had a look at the Council provided laptop and saw that since Friday morning I have submitted 9 Barossa Council Customer Service Requests for various work in and around Mount Pleasant. All of these matters will receive attention. I make no comment if services are being delivered in timely manner, you be the judge, based on your own experiences, however if re-elected I will strive for continuous improvement in the delivery of Council services.

It is not just Council that provides services to communities within The Barossa Council area, State Government provide and maintain roads that traverse the southern townships of Williamstown, Mt. Pleasant, Springton and Eden Valley. Other than footpaths at the western end of Mount Pleasant the biggest issue down this way is the condition of Melrose Street, the main road through Mt. Pleasant, it leaves a lot to be desired however it is not a Council maintained road. Despite that I have corresponded with our local State member and she is working on a response from the Transport Minister as to when the main road through Mount Pleasant will get some much needed attention.

Continuing on the same theme namely the provision and maintenance of services to The Barossa. Not only did I take note of Council assets I also had a look at Telstra assets and their preventative maintenance. These 3 photographs show the situation in Mt. Pleasant, the 1st was taken in Railway Terrace, the 2nd in Melrose Street and the 3rd at the junction of Cricks Mill Road and Melrose Street, the latter is just waiting for a truck to cut the corner, run over the Telstra pit and damage the infrastructure contained within the pit. You can clearly see the post, lying on the ground, that is supposed to protect the pit. This has been reported to Telstra however a response has not been forthcoming.

I’ve been a bit long winded regarding this issue however as you can see many organisations struggle with reactive versus preventative maintenance. Should I be re-elected I will continue to advocate for preventative maintenance as a priority, so that people are not constantly reporting issues to Council. This election is a Local Government election, I live locally, I see things on a daily basis and continually report matters so that our assets and infrastructure are maintained. Vote 1 Don Barrett for local representation.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant SA 5235.

02/10/2022

For the last week I have been door knocking the Birdwood (western) end of Mount Pleasant. For those who are unfamiliar with the township of Mount Pleasant it is an amalgam of the towns of Totness, Mount Pleasant and Hendryton. Mount Pleasant was surveyed in 1856. A few years later, John Hendry, a blacksmith living in Totness, developed the land to the west of Mount Pleasant, comprising that from Crick’s Mill Road (to Williamstown) to Railway Terrace, and this was surveyed in 1865.

Over the years there have been numerous Councils that have looked after interests of the current township of Mount Pleasant however none since 1865 have seen fit for there to be a proper footpath linking the former Hendryton to Mount Pleasant, it has always been seen as a low priority and something that has never occurred. In door knocking the town it has been made loud and clear to me that the residents at that end of Mount Pleasant want a footpath. I’m told they don’t walk in that area of town because it is too dangerous to use the road verges.

This evening I got onto the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website and had a look at the estimated traffic volume for Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant. The figures for that portion of road have an estimated vehicles 3200 using Melrose Street on a daily basis and of those an estimated 330 are heavy transport vehicles – 10.5% of traffic volume.
Looking at those figures I’m not surprised that people living in that area of Mount Pleasant avoid walking, they have done their own risk assessment and consider it too dangerous to walk on the verge, if it is available and fit to walk on, and/or the road.

As I door knock I hand out a flyer that contains my vision, it is very simple:-

‘to provide and co-ordinate various public services and facilities in a timely manner so to develop it communities and resources in a socially just and ecologically sustainable manner.’

For the last 4 years, once a fortnight or thereabouts I have travelled to Nuriootpa to attend Council meetings and workshops, in doing so I have taken careful note of the services and facilities provided throughout Council. On one such trip I noted a formed path starting on the Rowland Flat side of Tanunda and travelling all the way through Tanunda until I stopped at the Council Chambers, a distance of about 8 kilometres. This section of path is but a small portion of an approximately 40 kilometre shared cycling/walking path all the way from Angaston to Gawler (outside The Barossa Council area).

On a personal level I don’t find it socially just that the people at the western end of Mount Pleasant have been waiting 157 years for several hundred metres of formed footpath. The people from this area see other areas having approximately 40 kilometres of leisure path. The people at the western end of Mount Pleasant are not seeking a leisure path, they just want a footpath for safe, everyday use. There are many priorities for Mount Pleasant, however if re-elected, this issue will be my number one priority for Mount Pleasant.

Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant, SA 5235

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About me

Along with my wife Sue and three children I came to live in Mount Pleasant in the mid nineties. Sue worked locally at the Birdwood Primary School and High Schools until she retired. All of our children have now left home, with two being married and the other engaged. Before leaving home our three sons became involved in local sport from Little Athletics at Springton and football and cricket at Birdwood. I also became involved with cricket as a player and football as a trainer. I also served on the Mount Pleasant Primary School Council.

I semi-retired after a 39 year policing career which comprised many leadership positions, including Officer in Charge of the Ceduna CIB, Penong Police Station, Marla Police Station and Operations Manager at the Elizabeth and Murray Bridge Police Stations. In 2001 I travelled to East Timor as a Co-ordinator with the Australian contingent of United Nations Peacekeepers. Within my area of responsibility I oversaw their first free and democratic elections. Additionally I lived in Papua and New Guinea in 2003 and 2004 working on an Ausaid Project as an advisor to the Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary, based out of Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands Province. During my police career I obtained tertiary qualifications in Indigenous Studies and Adult Learning and was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 1995 for Distinguished Police Service.

Whilst living at Penong and Marla I became a member of the local Progress Associations, working with the Outback Areas Community Development Trust to deliver council like services to those towns and districts.

Currently I drive school buses for Birdwood High School. I have volunteered in a number of roles including as Secretary of the local Men’s Shed, Chairperson of the Hills Group of JP’s and I’m an active service member of the Mount Pleasant RSL. I enjoy giving freely of my time to help our community, including making in excess of 270 blood donations.