A regular feature, this month we present two Councillors from South Australia.
Mayor Margaret McLean Evans, The Berri Barmera Council, South Australia
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I was elected to the District Council of Berri in 1975, (the first woman to ever nominate), served four years as a Councillor, and was elected to the Office of Mayor in July 1979. When an amalgamation occurred between neighbouring Councils Berri and Barmera in October 1996, I continued as interim Mayor, and was re-elected Mayor of the Berri Barmera Council at the Local Government election held in May 1997. I have continued in office since that time.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
I was always interested in community affairs, but it was when I was approached by a representative of a group of older citizens who felt that is was ‘high time there was a woman on the Council’ that I wanted to become involved. At that time, my husband was operating a busy service station and we still had two sons attending high school. With the blessing of my husband and family I decided to nominate, and defeated a sitting Councillor by four votes! I was secretary of the local chamber of commerce at the time, and an active community person.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
The Berri Barmera area is the geographic centre of the Riverland, South Australia’s fruit bowl. The River Murray, our lifeline, flows past the town of Berri, and the irrigation areas of the Barmera District. Barmera town has a lake (Lake Bonney) which receives water from the river. We are situated some 238 kilometres north east of Adelaide. Our population is approximately 12,000 and the Riverland region has around 35,000 residents. Horticulture and viticulture are the main industries, with the Berri Estates winery, (now a very important part of the BRL Hardy Group), the largest winery in Australia, situated between Berri and Barmera. This winery crushed over 200,000 tonnes of grapes last vintage, an Australian Wine Industry record. Berri Limited is a major industry and is the largest fruit juice company in the nation. Both Berri Estates and Berri Limited (originally Berri Fruit Juices) began their lives as grower cooperatives.
Tourism plays a major role in our economy. Berri and Barmera boast excellent accommodation, golf courses, caravan parks and houseboat holidays, with the Monash adventure park a special attraction to young and old.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced in Local Government?
One of the first challenges, and certainly the most painful, was when a developer applied to the former District Council of Berri in 1980 to build a regional shopping centre in Berri. Due to the fact that the land in question had to be rezoned to accommodate a commercial development, many challenges/appeals were directed against the Council. These objections came from neighbouring Councils, retailers and others. After some three years of legal action (in all Council had three Supreme Court Writs lodged against it), during which time Council was prohibited from making a decision, Council successfully won the case, and the modern air conditioned shopping centre became a reality. It was the first modern shopping centre for the entire Riverland Region.
The building of a bridge across the Murray at Berri to replace two tandem ferries was another challenge ongoing for many years. It served as a very busy river crossing, linking the District of Loxton, and further south, the Murray Mallee with the Riverland Region to its north. The very modern Berri Bridge finally became a reality in 1996 and has proven Council’s argument that it is an absolutely necessary major infrastructure.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
The reuse of waste water is currently a major undertaking. Council is working with BRL Hardy Winery, as well as other stakeholders, in a multi million dollar project. This will see waste water from industry and STEDS (Septic Tank Effluent Drain) schemes throughout the Berri Barmera area treated at a central location. It will then be used to irrigate parks, gardens and golf courses.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
Keeping one’s finger on the pulse of one’s community is most essential. Never losing one’s vision is vital. Never try to be something you are not! You can’t be all things to all people, but you can remain committed, accessible and YOURSELF!
Councillor Tony Barca, Port Adelaide Enfield City Council, South Australia
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have been on Council for five years and this is my second term
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
I have a strong social justice outlook and I wanted to help my community. There was a need to have a strong voice to represent the people of our community, which is the Klemzig Ward. Until I got in, people used to say we are too far away from Council at Port Adelaide and that nobody cares about us. I wanted to change this and I am happy to say it has. Among other things, I helped save an open space area in Klemzig that is now used by the community. I believe that the ratepayers of Klemzig Ward can see that things have happened since I got on Council.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Klemzig Ward is a very multicultural area. There is a large number of Italians in the area and a lot of them don’t speak English. I felt that they were forgotten. I have Italians ring me from all over Port Adelaide Enfield because they can speak to me in their own language. I assist them not only with Council issues but all sorts of problems that they have. They feel that can talk to me and they know that I will assist them whether with advice or pointing them in the right direction.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced in Local Government?
One of the main challenges I have faced in Local Government during the last five years was when Klemzig West wanted to break away from Port Adelaide Enfield Council and amalgamate with neighbouring Walkerville. While I guided them with what they had to do, I could not support their push to break away. I spoke to some of the constituents in that area. Some of them were pensioners and had not checked the rates, what they get for those rates, what services they would be losing and so on. I believe that Port Adelaide Enfield has the lowest rates in the State when you see the services we offer.
Q. What are the specific issues currently facing your Council?
A motion went through Council so that from the next election in 2006, the Mayor would be elected by Council’s elected members. We spent a lot of money on public consultations and workshops, but hardly anybody turned up. It was disappointing as people are ready to criticise Councillors and Councils, but when given the opportunity to have their say, they do not act on it. If constituents choose the Councillor they prefer for their ward, I believe that person should be good enough to be Mayor, if chosen by the majority of Councillors. The proposed change went through the State Lower House but did not pass through the Upper House.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
The most important aspect of being a good Councillor is to be there for your community and listen to what their needs are. To do whatever is asked of you in a professional manner. Another important thing is to make time to meet with your constituents. If they have problems it is good to go and see them so you can see first hand what the problem is, whether it be tree, footpath, storm water or building problems. Attending community meetings is also important.
