Mount Barker is one of the fastest-growing councils in Australia, facing the complex challenge of delivering transport infrastructure that keeps up with growth—without compromising on sustainability, liveability, or climate resilience.
This presentation explores how Mount Barker District Council is shifting away from conventional road design that often treats trees and greenery as an afterthought. Instead, green infrastructure is being embedded into transport planning from the outset. Drawing on real project examples, the presentation will highlight how the Council has retained significant trees, created space for new plantings, and incorporated water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) into transport projects—challenging the traditional “clear and build” approach.
Attendees will gain insight into the practical steps taken to prioritise green outcomes, the challenges faced in balancing competing demands, and the lessons learned in cross-team collaboration and stakeholder engagement. The session also reflects on how creativity and communication play a key role in bridging technical engineering with long-term community outcomes.
This case-based presentation offers an inspiring, future-focused perspective on how local governments—especially those managing growth—can lead the way in designing greener, healthier, and more resilient transport networks.