November ECBAT Committee Meeting had David Stevenson as Special Guest

The November 2020 Eudunda Community, Business and Tourism Committee (ECBAT) meeting had special guests David Stevenson (Regional Council of Goyder CEO) and Bill Gebhardt (Regional Council of Goyder Burra Ward Councilor).

David came to talk with the committee about what he sees ahead for the community, and there was much discussion about various projects that ECBAT have been trying to activate such as the blocks in the new subdivision on the north of side of Eudunda. ECBAT hope that Council will seriously consider ways to get past the current issues stalling that project as it is critical for our town to have blocks to grow. ECBAT members gave some suggestions for the council to consider.

The Eudunda Hampden Railway Corridor was also discussed, with David informing the committee of the latest developments regarding the construction of the replacement bridge and what the solution would be. ECBAT is concerned that the Lavender Federation Trail and Lavender Cycling Trail need to be catered for when the bridge is being constructed, so that access can be from the Eudunda side of the railway line to the Hampden Railway Station area, and return with walkers, cyclists and horse riders in mind. Use of the actual rail line (along the ballast) was also critical to the success of this part of the trail, and has currently stalled due to lack of information on residuals in the soil and the cost of covering the ballast. ECBAT and the South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI) have made submissions to the Goyder Master Plan to be in line with funding. We hope that Council consider this a priority as it is critical to the whole of Southern Goyder. With the boom in tourism currently being experienced around the state it is important for our district to cater for those wishing to use the trails. Developing this part of the trail is key to developing further loop trails which will benefit Hampden, Point Pass and Robertstown giving all the towns a better chance to be part of the tourism boom. Indeed further uses of the trails have already been proposed,

We thank David and Bill for taking the time to come and discuss the challenges facing our community and businesses.

Photo: Standing L-R: David Stevenson (Regional Council of Goyder CEO), Bill Gebhardt (Regional Council of Goyder Burra Ward Councilor)
Seated L-R: ECBAT Committee Members Debra Koodrin, Anne Wilson (Treasurer), Judy Partington (Chairperson) and Skye Harwood (Secretary) .