On Saturday 13 November, the Mount Barker community is invited to attend the first community engagement event presented by Burke Urban Investments and The Mount Barker District Council for the important Town Square element of the Mount Barker City Centre Project.  

 Hosted at Kitchen Farm Pantry, at Burke Urban’s award-winning Newenham development, the Community Consultation Open Day and Family Fun Day will give key stakeholders, local businesses and the wider Adelaide Hills community the opportunity to view concept plans for the Town Square and Stephens Street connection, and provide feedback and engage with Council staff on ideas for the space.   

 Burke Urban Investments will also unveil their exciting vision for the Mount Barker City Centre Project that won them the status of Council’s preferred development partner for this game-changing ‘catalyst’ project in November 2020. 

 The community event will run from 10am until 1:30pm, starting with a launch presentation by Mayor Ann Ferguson and Burke Urban Investment’s Director, Kym Burke on the lawns of the Kitchen Farm Pantry.  

 Mayor Ann Ferguson said, “I am excited to start engaging with our community on the draft plans for the Town Square. It is an opportunity for our community to help shape the future of this once in a lifetime project as well as enjoying some family fun and celebrating this milestone occasion.”  

 “This has been designed to be a whole of family event, where people can enjoy music from local Mount Barker and Newenham resident band, Jam Toasties, face painting for the kids, CFS trucks for the kids to explore and a native rescued animal petting zoo”, she continued. 

 Thanks to Council and Burke Urban Investments, Kitchen Farm Pantry will also be offering free freshly baked animal-shaped shortbread cookies, made by a local Newenham resident, for those who participate in the community engagement. 

 The café will also be open as usual, offering their delicious range of breakfast items, pastries, sweets and coffee, in their beautiful, relaxed setting. 

 Newenham is a project by Burke Urban Developments, and won Best Residential Development in South Australia at the 2020 UDIA Awards. Burke Urban has focused on building community resilience and connection through activation and events around the historic buildings at the site, and will continue to do so with the Mount Barker City Centre Project.     

 The concept for the Mount Barker Town Square embraces unique design principles that are focused on community and environmental sustainability. The Town Square will provide an important civic space for the Mount Barker community and will be capable of hosting community events, public arts and performances, along with a range of food and retail offerings. 

 Kym Burke explained, “This activated Town Square will add to the day and night economy with activities focused on and responding to the four seasons providing the community an all-year-round destination and meeting place.”  

 “The ultimate objective is to create an exciting, vibrant, comfortable, and attractive public space interfacing with a market shed and adjacent retail opportunities with a food and beverage and produce focus,” Kym continued.  

 Further details on the project and the other upcoming community engagement events, as well as an on-line survey for the Town Square, can be found on Council’s engagement website www.yoursay.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/townsquare 

 We look forward to seeing you there!