Berri Barmera Council

12/06/2026

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦!

This free leadership program will support 10 young people aged 15–17 to develop leadership skills through volunteering, workshops and practical involvement within local sporting clubs.

Participants will have the opportunity to attain 10 SACE credits through alignment with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award framework, while developing valuable skills in leadership, communication, coaching, officiating and community involvement.

To ensure strong regional representation, two participants will be selected from each major Riverland township:
📍 Waikerie
📍 Loxton
📍 Berri
📍 Barmera
📍 Renmark

If you know a young person who demonstrates leadership potential, positive attitudes, reliability and a passion for community sport and recreation, encourage them to apply.

⏰ Applications close Sunday 14 June.

More information and applications can be found here:
https://www.loxtonwaikerie.sa.gov.au/notice-board/latest-news/applications-open-for-orsr-riverland-future-sports-leader-program

Proudly funded by the SA Recreation and Sport and delivered through the Riverland Connected and Active Communities Project in partnership with the District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Berri Barmera Council and Renmark Paringa Council.

12/06/2026

☂️ 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲
Due to the forecast heavy rain for tomorrow, the public consultation session has been relocated.
📍 New location: Barmera Library
🕒 Time: 9am-10.30am
The session will proceed as scheduled and community members are welcome to attend to discuss Council's Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget and Long Term Financial Plan.
For further information, please refer to the original consultation post below. Feedback can also be provided online until 16 June 2026.

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻
We are seeking the community’s input on our Draft Annual Business Plan (ABP) 2026/27 and Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036.

Each year, we ask our community to have their say on the Draft ABP and Budget.
The draft plan sets out key projects and core services, along with our broader strategic direction.
All feedback received during the consultation period will be reviewed by Council before the plan is considered for adoption.

Ways to have your say:
𝗣𝗼𝗽-𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
▶ Riverland Central Plaza, Thursday, June 11, 10am to 11.30am.
▶ Barmera Library, Saturday, June 13, 9am to 10.30am.

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
Verbal submissions may be made between 5.30pm and 6.30pm at the special Council meeting on Tuesday, June 9.
At this meeting, members of the public may ask questions and make submissions in relation to the Draft Annual Business Plan 2026/27.
Each speaker will be allocated a maximum of 5 minutes to make their submission.
If you wish to make a verbal submission to Council, you must register by calling 8582 1922.

To find out more and have your say, visit ▶ engagement.berribarmera.sa.gov.au/annual-business-plan-202627

10/06/2026

📱 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 – 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮
Telstra will be upgrading its mobile base station servicing Barmera to improve 4G and 5G services. During these works, temporary disruptions to Telstra mobile services may occur.

Upgrade works are expected to commence from 11 June until 16 June.

Council is sharing details of these Telstra upgrades to help keep the community informed. For further information or questions, please contact Telstra directly.

Other mobile providers, landlines, NBN and satellite services will not be impacted.
Emergency calls to Triple Zero will connect via another available network if required.
For more information, visit 👉 www.telstra.com.au/outages

04/06/2026

🎸 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘆’𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆
Following recent community interest in the future of Rocky’s Hall of Fame, the facility will be open to the public this Saturday from 9am to 11am.
Locals and visitors are welcome to drop in and view the collection.

Council recently resolved to investigate opportunities for a community-led model that could support the Hall of Fame's reopening in the future.

03/06/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
Recent Adelaide-based media headlines may have attracted clicks, but they did not tell the full story.

When stories about our community are reduced to clickbait headlines and sensational claims, the people who feel the impact are those who live, work and invest here.

While we acknowledge the challenges Council faces, we reject the media’s claims that Council is "broke" or a “financial failure”.

Independent regulator ESCOSA has recognised the significant work being undertaken to improve Council's financial and asset management and the progress being made towards long-term sustainability. It recognised that since 2023, Council has developed a new strategic approach that will support the Council’s return to being sustainable.

Over the past two years, Council has identified more than $1.7 million in ongoing savings, efficiencies and non-ratepayer revenue, while continuing to tackle long-standing financial issues.

We remain committed to making the difficult decisions needed to secure a stronger future for Berri Barmera.

For more balanced media reporting, please listen to ABC Riverland’s coverage yesterday morning or today’s Murray Pioneer.

Consultation for the Annual Business Plan 2026/27 is currently open and we genuinely value community feedback. Our consultation gives you the opportunity to write directly to us with any questions or comments ▶ https://engagement.berribarmera.sa.gov.au/annual-business-plan-202627/lodge-submission

Council's ESCOSA Report, Draft Annual Business Plan and Draft Long Term Financial Plan are available online for anyone wanting to better understand our financial position, priorities and future direction.
We encourage community members to explore these documents and stay informed.
𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗦𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 ▶ www.escosa.sa.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/21863/20260212-LocalGovernmentAdvice-2025-26-BerriBarmeraCouncil.pdf.aspx?Embed=Y
𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲/𝟮𝟳 ▶https://hdp-au-prod-app-bbc-yourberribarmera-files.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2417/7984/7379/Draft_ABP_2026-27_compressed.pdf
𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳-𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟲 ▶https://hdp-au-prod-app-bbc-yourberribarmera-files.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/6317/7977/7972/Draft_LTFP_2027-36_FINAL_.pdf

Comments have been disabled on this post so all questions can be captured, considered and answered through the consultation platform.

02/06/2026

Over 163 people have already used the SiSU Health Station at the Barmera Club… have you?

The SISU Health Station is giving the community free, quick and easy access to a health check in just 5 minutes.
🔵 No appointment needed
🔵 Available for anyone aged 16+
🔵 Instant results on key health measures

Prevention is better than a cure and sometimes it starts with a simple health check. Head into the Barmera Club and give it a go before July 5, it could save your life.

Well done to the Barmera Monash Football Club Wellbeing Committee for organising this for the Riverland.

Thanks to Department of Primary Industries and Regions, supported by the SA Government's $117 million Drought Support Package.
In partnership with Fat Farmer’s Rural Health Initiative.

27/05/2026

♻️ 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗵
This week’s Talking Rubbish reel heads to Riverland Backyard Worms, where Mayor Ella Winnall caught up with local worm farmer Randell.

What started with managing household food scraps has grown into a local circular economy success story, with Randell now collecting organic waste donations from local food trucks, cafes and restaurants.

Instead of ending up in landfill, this green waste is being transformed into nutrient-rich worm castings and liquid fertiliser, helping close the loop locally.

Did you know?
🍎 Australia wastes around 7 million tonnes of food each year - more than 300kg per person
🏠 Households account for around 30% of all food waste
🌏 Food waste contributes about 3% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions

Small changes at home and in business can make a big difference. Whether it’s starting a worm farm, composting or separating food scraps from general waste, every effort helps reduce landfill and recover valuable resources.

27/05/2026

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻
We are seeking the community’s input on our Draft Annual Business Plan (ABP) 2026/27 and Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2027-2036.

Each year, we ask our community to have their say on the Draft ABP and Budget.
The draft plan sets out key projects and core services, along with our broader strategic direction.
All feedback received during the consultation period will be reviewed by Council before the plan is considered for adoption.

Ways to have your say:
𝗣𝗼𝗽-𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
▶ Riverland Central Plaza, Thursday, June 11, 10am to 11.30am.
▶ Barmera Library, Saturday, June 13, 9am to 10.30am.

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
Verbal submissions may be made between 5.30pm and 6.30pm at the special Council meeting on Tuesday, June 9.
At this meeting, members of the public may ask questions and make submissions in relation to the Draft Annual Business Plan 2026/27.
Each speaker will be allocated a maximum of 5 minutes to make their submission.
If you wish to make a verbal submission to Council, you must register by calling 8582 1922.

To find out more and have your say, visit ▶ engagement.berribarmera.sa.gov.au/annual-business-plan-202627

26/05/2026

📣We want your feedback on updating South Australia’s flood hazard mapping and planning rules.

The changes aim to guide how development should address flood risk and be designed to keep people and property safe from floods, focussing on:
✅more consistent and updated hazard mapping
✅improved planning rules
✅faster process for future mapping updates.

Visit the YourSAy website to learn more and share your feedback by 13 August: https://loom.ly/Rl5B6-8