Renmark Paringa Council Meeting Update - September

Published 25th September 2025

Renmark Paringa Council held its monthly general meeting this week, with a number of decisions made.
Some of the highlights of the meeting can be read below, while the full minutes can be viewed here.

Council endorses next stage of Lock 5 bank stabilisation

Renmark Paringa Council Elected Members endorsed the next phase of the Lock 5 Bank Stabilisation Project, approving the final designs and supporting continued construction at the houseboat mooring site.

Funded through the Department of Environment and Water’s Constraints Measures Program, the project is focused on preventing further riverbank erosion and improving mooring infrastructure for houseboats along the River Murray.

Council approved:

A geofabric bag solution for stabilising the riverbank
Continuing construction across the remaining licensed mooring sites
Requesting approval from Crown Lands to increase the number of mooring sites

The stabilisation method was tested on Sites 1–7, with strong results and positive feedback from mooring permit holders. Elected Members, impressed with the project's progress, recently toured the site during a briefing.

Pending Crown Land approval, the site could support up to 7 additional moorings, enhancing access for houseboat users and reducing disruption during construction. The total project cost remains fully covered by existing external grant funding.

Australia Day Celebrations 2026

Renmark Paringa Council’s Australia Day Celebrations will remain in the Jarrett Memorial Gardens in 2026.

Elected Members made the decision to retain the event at the gardens in order to preserve the strong sense of community spirit and welcoming atmosphere that the location has consistently provided.

An option to relocate the event to an alternative venue was presented; however, Council endorsed the "Free Community BBQ Breakfast & Official Ceremony at Jarrett Gardens" option as the preferred format.

To align with reduced budget allocations, the event will see some changes to delivery, including:

A revised breakfast menu
Reduced event infrastructure, including fewer tables and chairs
Changes to the sound provision
The removal of discretionary items

While the location will remain the same, the Council is committed to responsible financial management and will continue to explore opportunities to deliver meaningful community events in a cost-effective way.

Council supports 2025 Renmark Christmas Pageant

Renmark Paringa Council has reaffirmed its support for the much-loved Renmark Christmas Pageant, approving a $15,000 cash contribution and up to $4,000 in non-cash support for the 2025 event.

Delivered entirely by the Renmark Christmas Celebration Committee Inc., the Pageant has continued to grow in popularity and was recently recognised as the 2023 Community Event of the Year at the SA Australia Day Awards.

Council’s non-cash support includes services such as event promotion, waste management, toilet servicing, electrical compliance, and event mentoring. This partnership ensures the Pageant continues to bring the community together to celebrate the festive season.

A financial acquittal will be provided after the event, and any future funding will be considered through Council’s annual budget process.

This year’s pageant is scheduled for Friday 5 December.

Road reserve sale to SA Power Networks

Renmark Paringa Council Elected Members approved the sale of two surplus land parcels to SA Power Networks (SAPN) to support the long-term protection of critical infrastructure at the Renmark Substation.

The approved sale includes:

1,155 sqm of road reserve on Ral Ral Avenue for $19,500 (ex. GST)
1,580 sqm of Lot 123 Ral Ral Avenue for $23,400 (ex. GST)

Following the 2022 River Murray flood, SAPN reviewed land needs around the substation and identified these portions as essential for asset protection. The land was independently valued, and the sales align with Council’s Land and Asset Disposal Policy.

While the sealed portion of Ral Ral Avenue remains under the care of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, Council is responsible for the surrounding road reserves.

Council Approves Memorial Bench for Dr Harcharan Singh Sidhu (Sid)

Renmark Paringa Council Elected Members approved the installation of a memorial bench seat and plaque to commemorate the late Dr Harcharan Singh Sidhu, affectionately known as Sid.

Dr Sidhu was a respected local GP and anesthetist, as well as an active community member involved in the Renmark Hospital Board, Lions, Rotary Clubs, and local sports.

Following a request from his family, Council has endorsed the bench to be installed in Jarrett Gardens near the Rowing Club, a site deemed most suitable after considering several locations.

The memorial’s cost will be covered by the applicant, with Council staff coordinating installation.

Alan Coulter Recreation Centre Roof upgrade approved

Renmark Paringa Council will upgrade the roof at the Alan Coulter Recreation Centre to address ongoing water leaks above Court 2 and protect the facility for community and sporting groups.

Elected Members endorsed increasing the project budget by $143,000, bringing the total to $218,000, with works now scheduled for the 2025/26 financial year.

The roof upgrade follows multiple repair attempts and recent inspections that confirmed leaks were caused by a roof joint issue, with early signs of damage to the court flooring — which was upgraded in 2019 and remains in good condition.

Council determined resheeting the affected 1,000m² section of the roof is the most effective way to prevent further damage and avoid costly repairs in the future.

Owned by Council and managed by Belgravia Leisure, the Centre is a vital hub for local schools, fitness groups, and sporting clubs, regularly hosting indoor sports and regional competitions.

The broader structural remediation of the building is planned for 2026/27, with design work and community consultation to begin soon. Council is also preparing grant applications to help fund this work.

To learn more about upcoming projects at the centre visit here.

Residential Land Expansion Incentive

Elected Members resolved to cease the Residential Land Expansion Incentive Program.

Council will instead continue to explore infrastructure solutions to support and enable future residential land divisions.

Council has not received any enquiries about the Residential Land Expansion Incentive in the past year.

The decision marks the end of a program introduced in 2019 to address a shortage of available residential land by offering financial incentives to developers.

Renmark Paringa Council Boosts Waste Management with New Kerbside Audit and Education Campaign

Renmark Paringa Council is taking important steps to improve waste management across the community following the completion of a detailed kerbside waste audit earlier this year.

In March and April 2025, the Council partnered with four other local Councils and the Mid Murray Regional Local Government Association (MRLGA) to engage Solo Resource Recovery for a kerbside waste audit. The audit analysed household bin contents to help shape smarter waste education programs and support better resource recovery outcomes.

What did the audit find?

Food waste makes up nearly half of landfill bin contents. In the township, 46.5% of the red lid bin is food waste, and 40.3% in rural areas. This highlights a great opportunity to encourage residents to use their green lid bins for food scraps instead.
Recycling contamination is an ongoing issue. Many recyclable items are bagged inside yellow bins, which can compromise recycling quality. Education efforts will focus on promoting better recycling habits.
Hazardous and electronic waste appear in general recycling bins. This small but important category (1.87%) needs community awareness on correct disposal options, including the Renmark Waste Transfer Station.
Textiles represent nearly 13% of waste but lack clear disposal pathways. The Council will explore opportunities such as upcoming disposal events to help residents recycle clothes and fabrics responsibly.

Next Steps Endorsed by Elected Members

At a recent Council meeting, elected members endorsed the recommendations from the audit report, including the launch of a targeted education campaign.

This campaign will inform the community about diverting food waste into the green lid bins, helping reduce landfill waste and costs.