Clare Valley Podcast

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council catch-up with CEO Dr Helen Macdonald

• Minister for Planning Nick Champion visits the region to address housing shortage
• Council advised to adopt a Land Use Strategy
• Land Management Agreements – do they have power to control development?
• Council unhappy over public access rights to Clare Caravan Park waterpark
• State Government seeking locations for Community batteries
• Following land revocation, calls for more strategic approach to Phoenix Avenue land use
• Another rate review scheduled for next financial year.

Tourism Accomodation Shortage
In this episode we delve further into the tourism accommodation shortage in the Clare Valley.
In previous episodes we’ve highlighted the ongoing long term housing shortage where people are struggling to find rentals across the Clare and Gilbert Valleys. Last month, in particular, we reported how this shortage is now branching into tourism accommodation with a number of Air BNB’s pulling out of the tourism market and offering to long term renters. This is partly due to a significant worker infiltration from major projects such as the Goyder Windfarm and Battery project at Blyth. With less tourism accommodation available for tourists, what flow on effect is that having on the local tourism market?

Sally Haynes, Manager, Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre
Ali Paulett, Paulett Wines
Greg Cooley, Greg Cooley Wines
Maggie Gunn, Clare Central Motel

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council: https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/1550235/21-February-2024-PUBLIC-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre: https://www.clarevalley.com.au/directory/clare-valley-wine-food-and-tourism-centre
Greg Cooley Wines: https://gregcooleywines.com.au/
Paulett Wines: https://www.paulettwines.com.au/
Clare Central Motel: https://www.clarevalley.com.au/directory/clare-central-motel

This podcast is brought to you by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.
In Episode 25 CEO Dr Helen Macdonald provides a rundown on all the latest news in Council's latest monthly meeting.

• Gleeson Wetlands carpark fumble
• Grant opportunity - Riverton Community Hall
• SJM Road Purchase request - Buchanan St, Clare
• Watervale Tennis Courts peppercorn lease
• $80 thousand funding for Manoora Wellness Centre approved
• Budget review still not passed by Council
• Business and fee waivers
• Clare Valley Food and Wine Tourism Centre still running a loss.

Riverton Christmas Pageant
The community of Riverton converged on the streets of the town for the annual Christmas pageant. Traditionally Riverton celebrates this time of year with a Xmas carnival on the town’s oval, but COVID restrictions forced them to change direction and introduce a pageant that travelled through the back streets of Riverton so residents could sit in their front yards and not miss out on Christmas festivities. Such a great idea! Fast forward to 2023, this sill happens with the 20 odd floats finishing up at Sholz Park where the party continues.

There were clowns on bikes, elves handing out honey biscuits, superheroes on back of utes, a santa travelling in a vintage car, balloons were popping, water bombs were thrown, kids were squealing, music playing, sirens blaring – the streets of Riverton sure did come alive!
This story featured children on the back of the Netball Club ute, Kerry Heinrich, Paige Rowett, Temika Heir, the boys from the Hawks Football Club, Santa and Santa's driver; Cindy Nolan, pageant organiser
Links:
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council: Latest minutes
https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0040/1519879/13-December-2023-DRAFT-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf

In this latest episode:
All the latest from the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council with CEO Dr Helen Macdonald:

• Modelling on a 7% rate increase
• Workshop on the operations budget
• Watervale Institute and the Mt Horrocks Historical Society
• Clare Town Hall - moves to upgrade the whole hall not just the stage
• YMCA secures an 3 year lease extension
• Strategic Plan out for public consultation until June 7th
• Tania Furler resigns as CGVC councillor, Owen Perry takes the position

Richardson Park, Sevenhill

• How did the park originate?
• The story behind the Sevenhill SACWA's 4 year drive to develop a nature Playspace.
• Richardson Park, Incorporated next fundraising initiative: a $170 thousand toilet facility.

In this story you'll hear from Tin Maynard, Chair, Richardson Park Incorporated Committee; Michael McCabe, Committee member

Yorke and Mid North's alarmingly high road incident toll
You may have heard in the news, the state’s road toll is alarmingly high this year, more than double this time last year. There were 71 deaths last year and 41 already this year. How are these figures translating to our local Clare Valley area? The State Emergency Service attends all road accidents in the local area and volunteers are noticing a significant increase over the last three years.
Heidi Grebe, Clare SES Unit Manager and Braden Henbest, Active Rescue Member discuss the figures, and the need for more SES volunteers in the local Clare Valley region.

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council: https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/1326931/19-April-2023-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes-2.pdf
Mother's Day Fun Run Run/Walk: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=1041385&
SES Clare Unit:https://www.ses.sa.gov.au/about-us/our-units/clare-unit/

In this episode:
COUNCIL CHAT
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council CEO, Helen Macdonald discusses the following topics:

• Riverton Community Hall Consultation Outcome
• Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program - what local projects are getting funding?
• Residential Land Redevelopment Incentive Scheme
• Saddleworth Institute Revocation of Community Land Report
• Auburn Library - what's next?
• Proposal to reopen part of Neagles Rock Road

TAYLORS WINES NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART CELLAR DOOR
Taylors Wines launched its new multi-million dollar cellar door this month after 5 years of planning and development. What a sophisticated and beautiful development it is! Not only is it a proud moment for Taylors, but also a major boost for the entire Clare Valley wine and tourism industry.
Every aspect of this cellar door reflects the true essence of Taylors Wines brand, from the iconic 3 seahorse emblem on arrival, the main tasting room adorned with a bronze -green tiled circular fireplace, the private Collectors Club room with 180-degree views over the expansive lawns and the courtyard with its stone fireplace.

This new cellar door represents the winery’s first major hospitality revamp, a space that Taylors is truly proud of. You'll hear from General Manager, Clinton Taylor about the history of the winery and importance significance behind every decision made, also Senior Project Architect with GP Architects, Kristina Soggee.
This project was a collaboration between GP Architects, Cook Building and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design.
Links:
Clare and Gilbert Valley Council: https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/1453752/16-August-2023-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
Taylors Wines: https://www.taylorswines.com.au/
GP Architects: https://www.facebook.com/gparchitects/
Cook Building: https://cookbuild.com.au/
Georgie Shepherd Interior Design: https://www.georgieshepherd.com.au/

This is the first episode of 2025.

In this episode, Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council Interim CEO Andrew Aitken discusses:

• CEO appointment update
• Councils view on reducing dust on roads during dry times
• Discovery Caravan Park seeking approval for park improvements
• Representation Review final report
• Off street parking request by Model Engineers for Phoenix Ave, Clare
• Successful applicants for Community Asset grants

**NEW CEO APPOINTED****

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council is pleased to announce the appointment of David Stobbe to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
At its special meeting of Wednesday, 26 February 2025, Council finalised its
recruitment for the role following an extensive and robust recruitment process.
Understanding that this is a highly anticipated announcement, Mayor Allan
Aughey OAM said Council welcomed the appointment, noting that the Councillors feel David will play an important role in supporting Clare and Gilbert Valleys in building upon its strategic direction, and achieving a number of key infrastructure projects to meet the needs of the community
David joins Council from the City of Onkaparinga, where he held the position of Director Corporate and Chief Financial Officer.
Whilst possessing an extensive financial background, David is also extremely community focused, holding a number of board positions, including the Country Fire Service (CFS) Foundation, the Central District Football Club, and Harness Racing South Australia.
David will be relocating to the District and is thrilled at the prospect of joining at Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, commencing 31 March 2025.
He is eager to work with the community to create a lasting impact, and looks forward to collaborating with Council, local businesses, residents and other stakeholders to drive positive change, enhance services, and support a strong and vibrant future for all.
With the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer brings an end to the interim arrangement.
Council takes this time to thank Interim Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Aitken, for his sincere and collaborative leadership over the past five months. Much has been achieved under his steady guidance and this will assist David in his transition to the Clare and Gilbert Valleys.

Water carting in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys

It’s no surprise to anyone in SA, it’s so incredibly dry, to the point people have been repeatedly carting water to fill up their tanks. In the Adelaide Hills we’ve heard there’s a 2-month waiting list to get water delivered, with SA Water opening a few potable stations to allow more access to water.

In the Clare and Gilbert Valleys region, local water carter, Grant Fidge has been flat out delivering up to an average 80 thousand litres to residents across the Clare and Gilbert Valley region.

He says there is a 3 week wait for water.

Grant Fidge, Fidges Water Carting

Desperate calls for more volunteer mentors for Wheels in Motion

To get your provisional drivers licence you need to rack up 75 hours of driving time.

For most young people, that’s a challenge.

But there are many in the community that are struggling to get their P’s because they don’t have anyone at home to help supervise their driving.

That’s where Wheels in Motion comes in, a program that started in February last year providing volunteer mentors to help young people get their driving hours up.

Unfortunately, one year on, demand is outstripping supply with a waiting list of young people but not enough mentors. In Clare Valley alone, there are currently 12 participants and 10 mentors with 6 more participants on the waiting list.

Christina Underdown, Program coordinator; Bron Willis, mentor; Gareth Herron, mentor<