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The latest Wattle Range Council NEWS delivered straight to your INBOX
Key outcomes from September's council meeting
Catch up on the outcomes from the latest Meeting of Council including major projects updates, community deputations and important decisions that affect you.
EV Charging Stations Now Available at Council's Service Centre
Two new EV charging stations have been installed at the Wattle Range Council Service Centre car park on North Terrace, Millicent.
The new chargers are available for community use and are compatible with OCPP and Type 2 (CCS2) electric vehicles.
- Charging up to 60kW
- Access via the Chargefox App.
These new chargers will help support residents and visitors travelling through our region while encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles across Wattle Range.
Simply download the Chargefox App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and you'll be ready to charge when the stations go live.
Employment Opportunities
Wattle Range Council is seeking suitably qualified applicants to join its team in the following positions:
- Tourism & Events Coordinator
- Maintenance Operator
- Technical Officer
- Engineer
- Childcare Educator (Certificate III)
What our construction, maintenance and parks and gardens teams are up to this month
From pothole repairs and road grading to playground upgrades and community planting projects, Council's Construction, Maintenance and Parks and Gardens teams have been busy delivering works across the district.
Recent and ongoing works include:
- Road and pothole repairs following recent rainfall
- Road grading across rural areas
- New playground and park improvements
- Footpath, kerbing and seawall maintenance projects
To view the full list of current works and projects underway in your area, visit our website.
BBQ and chat with Council — Coonawarra
Come Along, Chat with Council and Elected Members, and enjoy a FREE BBQ.
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Coonawarra Community Club
Free BBQ from 6pm
NO RSVP required - just come along, enjoy a sausage sizzle and chat with Council's Staff and Elected Members on matters that affect you. Help shape the future of your community.
FREE Community Mulch Days
Council is offering FREE mulch for Wattle Range Council residents and community groups from 10 am to 2 pm on:
Millicent Saleyards on Sunday 20 September (entry via St Claire Road)
Penola Resource Centre on Sunday 25 October
Millicent Saleyards on Sunday 18 October
Visit www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au/wasteinitiatives for more information and a link to the disclaimer which must be signed prior to collection.
FREE Tourist Waste Skip Bins in Beachport and Southend
Council is again offering free waste disposal bins for use by tourists from Saturday, 26 September until Sunday, 11 October.
Visitors are encouraged to dispose of small bags of general waste in these bins, to keep our seaside towns tidy during peak periods. Available until the end of the school holidays, the skip bins will be near the Pool of Siloam in Beachport, and on Leake Street near the entrance to the bush camp at Southend.
FREE Green Waste Disposal in October and November
To assist residents cleaning up their properties ahead of fire danger season, Council is offering free green waste disposal from 1 October to 30 November. During the period, residents will not require a waste voucher to dispose of approved loads of green waste only loads at the Millicent, Penola or Beachport Waste Transfer facilities.
Conditions apply such as the type of green waste and branch diameter restrictions. Please visit Waste Initiatives on Council's website or click on the link below for more information and conditions.
Celebrate Seniors Program out now
The 2026 Seniors Week festivities events will be held across Wattle Range from the 2 to 9 of October. Culminating in the announcement of the 2026 Senior of the Year Award.
Other Seniors Week highlights include an open day at the Millicent Museum, Geltwood Documentary screenings in Penola, Beachort and Millicent, Table Tennis, the Golden Games activities and much more.
Wattle Range Council Community Grants Awarded
Funds were awarded to the following groups in the first round of Council’s annual community grants programs:
Community Financial Assistance Grants totalling $7,505 to:
- Millicent Community Access Radio - Upgrade of PC computers at Radio 5THEFM
- Coonawarra Penola RSL Inc - Replacement of the RSL Sub-Branch fridge/freezer
- Art Gallery Beachport - Develop Art Gallery Beachport website
- Hatherleigh Community Hall Inc. - Upgrade of kitchen and cleaning facilities
- Mount McIntyre Hall - Hall renovation
Community Sport and Recreation Grants totalling $16,250 to:
- Penola Football Club - Viewing/Shelter shed seating project
- Nangwarry Netball Club - Replacement of front windows for the Netball Club
- Millicent Football Netball Club - Behind goal netting
- Beachport Pony Club - Upgrade of jumps and maintenance equipment and purchase of storage shed
- Beachport Surf Lifesaving Club - Silver Salties & Youth Active Participation Program
- Glencoe & District Sports Ground Association - Install ceiling lining to the verandah of the football changerooms
Community Infrastructure Grants totalling $127,139 to:
- Hatherleigh Sport & Recreation Centre Inc - Lighting upgrade
- Mt Burr United Football Club - Electronic scoreboard upgrade
- Millicent Bowling Club - Roof over bowling greens
- Millicent Golf Club Incorporated - Clubhouse roof replacement and rainwater harvesting system
- Millicent Lions Club - Kitchen upgrade
'Full Throttle in Wattle' Spring School Holidays Program out now
Council has launched the Spring 2026 School Holiday Program from 25 September to 11 October.
Packed with a fantastic lineup of free activities for school-aged kids across the region from outdoor adventures to creative workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy these holidays.
Southern Ports Highway Works Continue
Works on the Southern Ports Highway between the Southend and Robe turn-offs continue with the project now in its final stage.
Favourable weather conditions have helped keep the project on track, with a record 47 truck and trailer loads of material delivered to site in a single day in early September.
The detour is once again in place via Hatherleigh, and the highway is closed to the public from 7am–5pm, Monday to Friday during construction when crews are working. Those accessing the road with a permit should expect delays of approximately 10 to 15 minutes when travelling through the work zone. All road users are encouraged to use the detour where possible.
More than 10 km of road has already been upgraded from the Beachport Outlet, with the full project expected to be completed before Christmas, weather permitting.
Have your say on Wattle Range Council’s draft Development – Provision of Infrastructure Policy
Council is reviewing the policy that helps guide infrastructure requirements for new developments, including roads, footpaths, drainage and land divisions. The review aims to simplify the document, remove outdated requirements and keep it aligned with current standards.
Some of the proposed changes include:
- Clarifying fencing requirements
- Updating drainage provisions
- Clarifying footpath requirements
- Updating roadwork requirements
Have a read and let us know what you think.
Feedback closes at 10am Monday, 12 October 2026.
Shining a light on mental health
You may have noticed Wattle Range Council's Service Centre in Millicent was glowing blue last week
The blue illumination recognises mental health and suicide awareness, including World Suicide Prevention Day and RU OK? Day which this year, were both acknowledged on Thursday, 10 September.
Organised in partnership with the Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network, the blue lights serve as a visible reminder to check in with those around us, reach out when we need support, and keep conversations going.
Be Part of Wattle Range's Celebration of Art
Entries are now open for the 2026 Wattle Range Art Exhibition. Attracting artists from across South Australia and beyond, the exhibition showcases contemporary art and offers more than $12,000 in prizes, cementing its place as a regional arts highlight.
Entries close on 14 November, entry forms can be submitted via the link below.
Showcase Wattle Range through the lens
Entries are open for the 2026 Wattle Range Council Photographic Competition, celebrating our region through People, Places, Product and Performance.
There are great prizes for both amateur and professional photographers across a number of categories, plus an Overall Winner and the Mayor's Choice Award.
Submissions close Monday, 21 September.
Temporary Road Closures
Pines Enduro. 27 September
A number of roads in the vicinity of Millicent & Rocky Camp will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7 am to 5 pm Sunday, 27 September 2026. The purpose of the temporary road closures is to facilitate the Teagle Excavations ARB Pines Enduro.
See the list of roads to be closed
Beachport Market Day. 3 October
Residents and visitors to the seaside town of Beachport are advised that Railway Terrace (from Foster Street to the western side of the roundabout on Beach Road), will be closed to traffic from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm on Saturday, 3 October 2026 to facilitate the annual Market Day event.
Walk 4 Brain Cancer in Penola. 11 October
Several roads in Penola will be temporarily closed from 8am to 11am on Sunday, 11 October 2026 to support the Walk 4 Brain Cancer event. Please allow extra travel time and follow all signage and directions from event officials. See the list of roads to be temporarily closed
Planning and development drop-in sessions in Beachport and Penola
Have a planning question? Come and see our Development Team in Penola or Beachport for a face‑to‑face chat. No bookings needed!
Beachport Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday, 23 September from 12.30pm to 4.30pm.
Penola Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday, 14 October from 9am to 12 noon.
What's on at the Millicent Library and Gallery
From the next exhibition, regular programs and events to new books on the shelf, there is always something on at the Millicent Library and Gallery.
What's on in Wattle Range
What’s On in Wattle Range is a monthly update that highlights and celebrates community events across Wattle Range.
You can sign up to receive the update direct to your inbox.
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