Burke Urban Investments is thrilled that the next stage of the Mount Barker Town Centre Catalyst Project has been endorsed by The Mount Barker District Council.

Community engagement will soon be undertaken by Council and Burke Urban Investments focusing on the concept design for the Town Square element of the Project. During this consultation period, Burke Urban Investments will also present its masterplan and vision for the whole site which is bounded by Hutchinson Street, Morphett Street, Stephens Street and Druids Avenue.

Mayor Ann Ferguson says, “There will be a range of interactive activities and events planned over the ensuing month-long engagement and is an opportunity for you, our Community to help shape the future of this once in a lifetime project.”

In November 2020, Burke Urban Investments was selected as the preferred development partner to work with Council in activating the large vacant, and long under-utilised site between Hutchinson Street, Morphett Street, Stephen Street and Druids Avenue.

The winning proposal incorporates a new town square, market sheds, integrated library, civic centre & co-working hub, commercial offices, residential accommodation, and hotel as part of a staged development. The proposed development is forecasted to bring at least an additional 400 jobs into the town centre, providing significant local employment and opportunities for existing traders to increase their customer base.

The partnership between Burke Urban Investments and Mount Barker District Council was further strengthened in February 2021 with a formal Heads of Agreement executed between the parties.

Burke Urban Investments Managing Director Kym Burke explained, since then, collaborative planning for the site and the draft Town Square Concept Design, has been evolving through a process of visioning, exploring, testing, and refining of options.

“The concept for the Town Square and its wider connection to Morphett Street, Stephens Street and Gawler Street is the crucial public centrepiece of an evolving master plan which will be informed by the feedback received from community, government, and commercial interests,” Kym explained.

“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.  Activation and connection day and night for all age groups, and a space which responds to the distinct seasons of the year are features presented by Burke Urban Investments and strongly supported by Council’, Kym continued.

“I am excited to be engaging with the local community on the draft plans for the town square which will feature a mixture of flexible community and events spaces within a green landscaped environment. The Project will reflect the Community’s and Council’s vision for the future City of Mount Barker”, added Mayor Ferguson.

The engagement period for the Town Square will commence in November with community open days, drop-in sessions and online surveys proposed as some of the mechanisms for input and feedback. Further details on the full range of activities and events planned to occur over the month-long community engagement period will be announced in the coming weeks.

Click here to read more about this exciting project.