This month Local Government Focus talks to Victor Harbor Mayor Dr Moira Jenkins.
Tell us about your area: what makes your council special or different?
Victor Harbor is the largest population centre in the Fleurieu Peninsula region and a major service centre for the Southern Fleurieu. Our relaxed lifestyle, strong sense of community, stunning natural environment, and First Nations and European history, makes Victor Harbor very highly valued by the community.
Our natural environment takes in the beauty of southern coast and ocean, and provides for whale watching, surfing, fishing, recreational boating and more. Surrounding our fabulous coast are rolling hills, farms, vineyards, and natural bushland, all of which makes Victor Harbor very appealing.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic we had a large influx of residents taking advantage of this relaxed coastal lifestyle, and we continue to see a number of businesses recognise the potential of this region with more and more businesses investing in our city.
Do you have a favourite part/aspect/attraction in the council area?
The coast and surrounding bush lands are one of my favourite things in Victor Harbor. We have a community who really want to look after these assets and appreciate the unique and pristine environment we have here.
As a council we have just finalised The Bluff Master Plan which serves to protect and re-wild ‘The Bluff’, a large headland with spectacular 360 degree views of Granite Island to the east and the rugged southern coastline to the west.
I am also constantly reminded what a caring community we have. I often have new residents saying to me that they have never been in a community where there are so many options to volunteer (around one in four of our residents volunteer in some capacity), and where they feel part of the community so quickly.
How long have you been on council and why did you become involved in local government?
I have been on council for around nine years now. I was a councillor for four years, and this is my second term as Mayor.
When I moved to Victor Harbor, I fell in love with the area and its people. The sense of community, and the way that the community identifies with Victor Harbor as a great place to bring up their families, and also a great place to retire, makes this a very special place. As a psychologist, I recognised that these were features that made this community special, and I wanted to be part of supporting the community, preserving sense of community and belonging, while also planning for the future of Victor Harbor.
Change is inevitable, but we need to preserve what is unique in these small coastal cities, while also planning for the future, ensuring good economic growth and prosperity, and ensuring the community has a voice in local government. These are all strong values that I brought to council, and that I still have.
Do you have another job? Tell us about that and how it contributes to your role/views as a councillor.
Initially I worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice here in Victor Harbor. I also volunteered with the local CFS. My job and volunteering really helped me understand the community and some of the challenges individuals faced, as well as some of the gaps in services that impacted on the town. These were gaps such as lack of acute mental health services, palliative care services, services for our youth and young people including sport and recreation facilities, and art and culture.
As Mayor, my role becomes one of advocacy and leadership, working with the Elected Members, staff and other tiers of government to address these gaps. Unfortunately, due to my role I have been unable to continue my psychology practice, but I do some consulting work in the area of conflict management, behavioural standards, leadership coaching. My PhD was on the prevention of bullying and harassment and so I am lucky to have skills in that area that I can utilise both within my Mayoral role and outside in a private capacity.
What activities do enjoy outside of work hours?
I unashameably take advantage of Victor Harbor’s fabulous coastline and can be found walking or running with my two Rhodesian Ridgebacks along our beaches. You might also spot me eating scrummy food in one of our fabulous cafes or restaurants.
COUNCIL GOALS, CHALLENGES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
What are they key challenges facing you and your council?
Climate change is a huge challenge to both our coastal and our urban environment. We are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and need to plan to protect both our built assets, and our coast. This requires both State and Federal Government input to assist us, as we are already seeing coastal erosion and damage to coastal paths and council structures because of storm surges and rising tides.
Another key challenge is the high level of the population who are on fixed incomes. While we need to plan for the future and ensure that our increasing population has appropriate infrastructure, we also have an older cohort of the community who are on fixed incomes and under significant financial stress due to interest rate rises and housing stress. This needs to be taken into account in our planning, and project delivery.
What innovative projects or policies is council working on?
Council’s current major priority project is the Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct. Consultation and planning over the years has identified the need to provide additional sports facilities to support the growing population especially in the areas of basketball and gymnastics. Planning is well underway, and we hope to commence building in 2024.
Tell us about a specific success you have had in local government.
As a Mayor it is impossible to define one own success without recognising that success depends on the councillors you work with, and the staff who undertake the operational side of projects. I am extremely lucky to have had a talented team to work with, including a fabulous CEO in Victoria MacKirdy leading the organisation. My team of elected members come from all walks of life, and all represent a part of this community, so even when we disagree on matters, I remind myself that they were elected by our community and everyone’s perspective is important.
I am also thrilled that council has adopted our Bluff Master Plan where this beautiful headland will be cared for, and kept natural, making the trails safer and more accessible to a wider range of people, regenerating the bushlands and telling both the First Nations and European stories of our beautiful environment.
What is the best part about being a Mayor?
Really getting to know the community. I try to go to as many groups, clubs, service organisations and business as I can, so that I can let people know that as council we really want to hear their opinions and voice. I try to explain reasons for council decisions in simple terms and help people understand why certain decisions are made. I often say, “You can have the most fancy infrastructure in the world, but if you don’t have a sense of community, it doesn’t mean anything”. Maybe it’s the psychologist in me that understands how important connection, community and feeling part of something bigger than yourself is.
What is the worst part?
The worst part is when things take so long to accomplish. One thing working in local government has taught me is to be patient.
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
I am very excited about progress on our Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct. This project is certainly moving forward, however progress is slow as we undertake due diligence.
I am also hopeful that we can further our plans for our Art and Culture Centre. We have already developed a fabulous art space with regular exhibitions, artists in residence, and art of all types being displayed, but the community is really wanting more space for performing arts. It will be wonderful when this is able to be developed, but patience is not one of my virtues.
Apart from strategic projects, I hope that my legacy will be a sense of community where our residents feel that council listens and responds to their needs, and that they are valued members of our community.
