Shaping Bridgewater’s Future: Highlights from the 2026 "Meet the Candidates" Town Hall - Listen to the Full Event
Heysen Candidates at Bridgewater Town Hall Event — Community Q&A Highlights
Listen to the Town Hall Event Here:
Download the Town Hall Audio Here
On the 19th of February 2026, the Bridgewater community gathered at the local hall for a pivotal “Meet the Candidates” event ahead of the upcoming South Australian State Election. Hosted by Activating Bridgewater, the town’s community progress association, and broadcast live by Lofty Community Media, the evening provided a vital platform for residents to hear directly from those seeking to represent the electorate of Heysen.
The event was moderated by Michael Cornish, Treasurer of Activating Bridgewater, who emphasised the association’s commitment to grassroots advocacy and respectful community dialogue.
Meet the Candidates for Heysen
Four candidates presented their visions for Bridgewater and the broader region:
Josh Teague (Liberal Party): The sitting member and a 20-year Bridgewater local, Teague highlighted his track record in improving school entry/exit points and Oval lighting. He advocated for a Bridgewater master plan, a “park and ride” at Verdun, and continued infrastructure investment.
Marisa Bell (Labor Party): An intensive care nurse and local of nearly 30 years, Bell focused on safety and community care. She made a significant announcement regarding a $1.5 million commitment from a Labor government to deliver a dedicated pedestrian crossing in Bridgewater.
Genevieve Dawson-Scott (South Australian Greens): A local parent and educator, Dawson-Scott’s vision cantered on “thoughtfully designed, connected community”. She championed passenger rail restoration, 50-cent transport fares, and using “right to buy” policies to bring heritage buildings into community hands.
Gregory Davis (Animal Justice Party): Davis emphasised “compassion as a foundation for a civilised society”. He expressed strong support for e-bike infrastructure to connect townships and proposed “VetiCare,” a means-tested pet healthcare program.
Addressing Local Priorities: The Carey Gully Road Intersection
According to the Activating Bridgewater pre-election survey, the top priority for residents is the Carey Gully Road and Mount Barker Road intersection. Candidates were asked for their specific plans to address this bottleneck:
Josh Teague labelled it the “number one infrastructure priority” and suggested a roundabout as the likely solution, integrated with a town master plan.
Marisa Bell linked the intersection's safety to her broader commitment to a pedestrian crossing, noting the history of “near misses” in the area.
Genevieve Dawson-Scott endorsed the funding commitment but stressed the need for “stronger checks and balances” on planning to prevent Mount Barker’s growth from overwhelming Bridgewater’s infrastructure.
Gregory Davis shared his personal experience with the traffic backing up onto the railway line and called for data-driven modelling that includes better access for pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles.
Investing in Our Youth
The community also raised concerns about youth engagement. All candidates expressed support for local initiatives:
Marisa Bell advocated for a skate park and pump track, relaying a personal request from a local student, Liam, to the Premier.
Josh Teague highlighted the “generational change” at the Bridgewater CFS as a model for youth service and noted his support for a pump track.
Genevieve Dawson-Scott proposed a youth studio for music and podcasts, similar to successful models in other councils.
Gregory Davis reiterated his support for the “Pump” (pump track) to get kids outdoors and engaged with nature.
Your Voice Matters
This town hall demonstrated the power of a connected community. Activating Bridgewater continues to advocate for the town’s best interests, ensuring that whoever is elected remains accountable to our local needs.
To view the full list of community priorities and survey results, visit: bridgewater.au/pre-election.
Stay informed, stay engaged, and make your vote count for Bridgewater.
