Pre-election Advocacy
Since 2025, Activating Bridgewater has been busy behind the scenes advocating to State Election candidates and Council on five main priorities identified by the communities of Bridgewater and Mt George.
Upgrade of Carey Gully Rd/ Mt Barker Rd intersection
A central community bike track
Development of a masterplan for Bridgewater’s Town Centre
Public transport connections
Active transport connections
These priorities were identified via our 2025 community survey (80 responses) and years of community engagement which ultimately led to Activating Bridgewater becoming an incorporated association.
Seperately, we became aware late 2025 that a large group of (mainly) parents had experienced a number of scary near-miss incidents involving their children, cars, and crossing Mt Barker road. Further, a child was hit by a car and hospitalised. We engaged with these residents and supported them in their decisions to write to their Local Member, Council, meet with Council staff, and raise complaints with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport. A representative of the community also raised concerns direct to the Premier at the Country Cabinet held in December 2025.
Frustrated with a lack of action, these community members organised a march on Saturday 14 February 2026, to demonstrate the lack of safe routes across our town centre. This march was picked up by The Advertiser, who ran a story on Friday 13 February 2026.
On the morning of Saturday 14 February, the Labor candidate Marissa Bell announced an election commitment for a pedestrian crossing and associated stormwater and road works of estimated $1.5 million in Bridgewater town centre. The candidate and current MP Josh Teague has indicated he will make an announcement on the issue at our Meet the Candidates Event.
Greens, Labor and Liberal candidates all joined approximately 60 community members on a march of the Bridgewater Town Centre. (cover photo)
Activating Bridgewater remains focussed on advocating for a masterplan for the town centre which is wholistic, community-led, and takes all needs and users into account.
In 2025, we met with all three announced candidates and provided them with a pre-election survey to consider and respond to. Our intention was to share these responses with the community ahead of our Meet the Candidates Town Hall Event on Thursday 19 February, 2026. As of 20 February, 2026, we have now received responses from all known candidates.
Read the Animal Justice Party Response
Read the Greens Survey Response
Read the Labor Party's Response
Read the Liberal Party’s Response
On Thursday 19 February our Meet the Candidates event was held at Bridgewater Hall. A range of topics were explored - local and global - to an audience of about 40 people. Of note was the respect the audience and each candidate gave to each other. Each candidate really had the opportunity to put their best foot forward. Thank you to the Bridgewater Hall for hosting us, Lofty 88.9 Adelaide Hills for broadcasting the event and Belly Dance Amethyst for giving up their regular booking for us.
