How long have you been on council and why did you become involved in local government?
I have lived in the Town of Walkerville for decades and have always participated in the life of the community. I was a member of staff at Walkerville Library for almost 20 years, which brought me into contact with people from all walks of life. I was also involved in Neighbourhood Watch and other local groups. These experiences gave me a real insight into what people want and need from local government. Over time, I came to realise that if you want to effect real change, you need to be where the decisions are made. I first stood for council in 2004 and was elected Mayor in 2010. It’s a cliché, but I got involved because I care about this place and I wanted to make a contribution.
Tell us about your local government area – what is your favourite attraction/feature and what makes your area special or different?
The magnificent Linear Park Trail (that runs from the hills to the sea) is the ‘green heart’ of our community. I simply could not imagine our town without it, any more than I could envisage New York City without Central Park. From primary school children to community organisations like Rotary, the people of Walkerville are passionate about the environmental health of Linear Park and the ongoing improvement of the many recreational opportunities it offers.
The other feature that makes Walkerville different is its relatively small size. Our town covers an area of only 3.5 square kilometres and is home to slightly more than 7000 people. I believe this means that the decisions made by council have a big impact and that the community doesn’t feel disconnected from local government. I just love that I can walk around the town centre and people stop and say ‘hello’ and have a chat. Our residents have also chosen to maintain the autonomous, independent status of our council, which says a lot about us as a community.
What issues are important to you?
The wellbeing and happiness of people who live and work here are important to me. People expect their local government to be efficient and they hold us to account on our performance and our governance standards. However, I believe that understanding people’s hopes and values, knowing what’s important to them and their families, and responding to those needs, should be integral to the decisions we make as their elected representatives.
What is the best advice you have received?
That no matter how hard you try, you can never be all things to all people. The best approach is to base decisions on integrity and fairness; it’s not a popularity contest.
How do you hope your role will impact your community and what lasting impression do you wish to leave?
Our strategic plan ‘Living in the Town of Walkerville’ and our urban master plan ‘A connected community’, set out a vision and direction for the next 30 to 50 years. It is a vision that encompasses every aspect of daily life. So I hope that the planning and consultation that has shaped these documents will bear fruit and have a lasting impact on the community.
This job presents many opportunities and challenges and that’s where my focus needs to be. I never saw the role of Mayor as a chance to build a personal legacy, but as an opportunity to contribute to an ongoing legacy for the Town of Walkerville. Having said that, while Walkerville is one of South Australia’s earliest established towns, I am only the third woman to be elected as Mayor since 1855 and I am very proud to be part of this small group of trailblazers.
Mayor Steve Baines JP, Coober Pedy District Council
How long have you been on council and why did you become involved in local government?
I have been in local government for the past 14 years. My first five years were as Deputy Mayor and the past nine years have been as Mayor.
Tell us about your area – what is your favourite feature and what makes your area special or different?
We are an isolated community of 3500 residents situated 850kms north of Adelaide and 650kms south of Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway. The next closest council area is Port Augusta City Council, 550kms away.
My favourite feature in Coober Pedy is the underground living. Approximately 65 percent of our residents live in dugouts, which are houses built into the side of a hill or in an open cut. Dugouts remain at a constant temperature all year round and are extremely energy efficient.
Do you have another job and how does it contribute to your role as a councillor?
I work full time as the Postal Manager at the very busy post office in Coober Pedy. This makes me extremely accessible to the residents and means that I know everyone in town. Time management and good staff are the key ingredients in being able to work full time and carry out the role of Mayor.
What challenges are currently facing you and your council?
Our council is relatively new, forming in 1987. We inherited ageing infrastructure and a debt from the then Progress Association. With a current rate base of just over $1 million our biggest challenge is replacing, maintaining and providing infrastructure to our community. Coober Pedy is presently experiencing a period of growth due to the mining boom in South Australia, so our challenge is to capitalise on this growth whilst also trying to provide infrastructure that will attract investment in the town.
What innovative projects is your council working on?
Council’s water supply is pumped from a bore approximately 32kms north of the town and is then piped to a reverse osmosis desalination plant. We are about to embark on a project that will include the replacement of 12kms of old cement pipeline with new PVC pipeline. This is part of a larger project to upgrade the irrigation system for the town oval and expand the community orchard from three hectares to 4.7 hectares. The new pipeline will have a life expectancy of 50 years and will reduce maintenance costs by $140,000 per annum. The local community will also benefit through opportunities to develop horticultural skills and three long term unemployed Aboriginal people will be engaged to manage the orchard.
What is the most difficult part of your role?
Distance would be the biggest hurdle. We are a relatively small council, so the decision makers in the city sometimes forget us. To attend a one day meeting in Adelaide we need to be away for three days so we have to be selective about which meetings, courses and conferences we attend. This makes it very difficult to keep informed and maintain a network of contacts.
What has been your greatest achievement in local government?
Five years ago we had an air service between Adelaide and Coober Pedy that had an average of 3500 passengers a year and operated only five days a week. The carrier was struggling to justify operating the route. I convinced the council of the time to enter into a partnership agreement with the air carrier by subsidising landing fees at the airport in exchange for a number of cheaper seats on each service in an attempt to grow the route. In the past five years the service has grown to 12,000 passengers a year and is operating six days a week. We have recently completed a new $1.4 million terminal as the old building could not cope with the increased demand. Other councils around Australia are now acknowledging the benefits of entering into partnerships with their air carriers and are implementing simular arrangements in their communities.
What is the best advice you have received?
Do what you think is right and don’t try to please everyone.
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
I hope to sort out the town’s energy issues and provide certainty for future investment and growth within the town. I also hope to maintain the outback lifestyle that our residents love with the progress that is critical to our future development and growth.
