The second part of 2023 has flown by, keeping us busy is the main street upgrade, formation of ECA working groups, advocating for maintenance works and success with grants.

April - May
● Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser
● Mount Barker Courier Article - Main Street Powerline Undergrounding/Upgrade
● Completed 4 Community Resilience Meetings (Mount Barker District Council & Red Cross)
● Stakeholder Reference Group Meetings 3 & 4 regarding Main St Upgrade
● Met with South Ward Councillors and MBDC regarding Battunga Road drainage issues

June - July
● Successful Mt Barker Council grants: native landscaping around the picnic shelter and
signage for the Community Park space.
● Mount Barker Courier Article - MBDC grants
● Community Breakfast Event
● Mount Barker Courier Article - Community Breakfast
● Interviewed to contribute to MBDC grant review process
● Met with wider community groups to discuss MBDC grants review
● ECA General Meeting
● Development of Echunga Walking Trail Group
● Stakeholder Reference Group Meeting 5 regarding Main St Upgrade

August
● Earthworks undertaken in Community Park for power and landscaping
● Development of Community Kitchen Garden Group
● Power to the Community Park complete, the lights are on in the picnic shelter!
● Stakeholder Reference Group Meeting 6 regarding Main St Upgrade
● Met with Councillor Voogt regarding "all things Echunga"
● Attended Council Briefing Session about the Echunga Main Street Upgrade
● Successful Stronger Communities Federal grant for a BBQ in the picnic shelter

The first quarter of 2023 has been busy, bringing to fruition two successful grants & strongly
advocating for projects to progress from our endorsed Township Plan (MBDC 2019).

January
● Community Park judged for the Spring Garden Competition, Mount Barker Show
● Contact with Council and Council Members expressing our concern regarding the
stalled progress of the funded Main Street Concept Design stage
● Ongoing discussions with Council about Battunga Intersection maintenance

February
● Attended Council engagement session regarding the LTFP (23-33), only attendees
alongside senior Council staff, Council members and Mayor Leach
● Very successful two day working bee in the Community Park: Bike track to creek
● Successful SA Power Networks grant: funds electricity being run under Echunga Rd to
terminate at the Community Park, opens possibilities with power in the park
● ECA Executive Meeting
● Met with Councillor Hewett regarding visions for Echunga
● Submission to Council - Long Term Financial Plan (23-33) priorities: Main Street Upgrade,
underground power and Community Park toilets/car-parking
● All British Day - participated in clean up day at the recreation grounds
● Met with Council about entrance and bike track signage for the Community Park
● Submission to Council - Annual Business Plan (23/24) priorities: Detailed Design of the
Main Street Upgrade, underground power and Community Park toilets/car-parking
● First Prize for the Community Park in the Spring Garden Competition, Mt Barker Show
● Successful Realestate.com grant: funds purchase of a portable, battery powered PA
System for ECA and other Echunga community groups to use

March
● Hosted Community Forum re: Main St upgrade, Mayor Leach/Cllr Hewett attended
● Meeting with Senior Council management, Mayor Leach, Cllr Hewett regarding Main
Street Upgrade, underground power, budgets for 23/24 and Community Park
● All British Day - Icecream Van alongside other local community and sporting groups
● 1st MBDC Stakeholder Reference Group Meeting regarding Main St Upgrade
● Met with Council staff at the Park to discuss power and landscaping
● 2nd MBDC Stakeholder Reference Group Meeting regarding Main St Upgrade
● Met with Council and local artist about Lower Entrance sign for the Community Park
● Submitted grant application for rainwater tank pump in the Community Park
● ECA Executive Meeting