Rural City of Murray Bridge

Murray Bridge Gains National Recognition as One of Australia’s Top 10 Towns A proud moment for Murray Bridge! We’ve been named one of travel app, Wotif’s Top 10 Aussie Towns for 2025, recognising our community’s growth, unique attractions, and the investment in infrastructure and tourism that makes us a standout destination. This accolade reflects the ongoing efforts to showcase the diverse attractions of Murray Bridge - from the expansive Monarto Safari Park to our iconic riverfront, which offers unparalleled recreational and tourism experiences. With a thriving events scene - we hosted around 40 events in 23/24 - and major developments on the horizon there’s never been a better time to visit. The opportunities and experiences on offer are going to grow, with Murray Bridge set to become South Australia’s largest regional city. Not only is it an amazing town to visit, it’s also a place where you can live well and thrive. https://lnkd.in/gc9qyHnp Murray River, Lakes & Coorong South Australian Tourism Commission

The Rural City of Murray Bridge is thrilled to welcome David Waters as the new General Manager of Community Development. David brings over 20 years of leadership experience in local government, having held diverse roles across multiple portfolios, including engineering, parks and biodiversity, asset and project management, community development, communications and engagement, libraries, customer service and economic development. Currently, David serves at the Adelaide Hills Council as the Director of Environment and Infrastructure, a position he has held since 2022. Prior to this, he spent 10 years as the Director of Community Capacity, during which he has also stepped in as interim CEO. CEO Heather Barclay expressed her enthusiasm for David’s appointment, highlighting his wealth of experience, technical knowledge and passion for community development. "David’s extensive experience and dedication to community development makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. His proven track record in fostering strong, vibrant communities aligns perfectly with our vision for the Rural City of Murray Bridge. We are excited to see the positive impact he will bring to our region." We look forward to welcoming David to the Rural City of Murray Bridge. 

Vale Allan Arbon We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our former Mayor, Allan Arbon OAM JP, who passed away peacefully last week. Allan dedicated much of his life to serving his community through Local Government. His leadership spanned decades, beginning as an elected member of the District Council of Karoonda in 1969, later becoming its Chair in 1970. He went on to serve as the first Mayor of Karoonda (1979–1981), before returning to lead as Mayor of the District Council of Karoonda East Murray in 1993. In 2000, Allan was elected Mayor of the Rural City of Murray Bridge, a role he held with distinction for 14 years. Throughout his tenure, Allan played a pivotal role in numerous key projects that shaped our region, including: - The revitalisation of the Murray Bridge Railway Precinct - Securing funding for the Monarto Interchange - Establishing a Strategic Alliance with the District Councils of Mount Barker and Alexandrina - Advocating for the completion of the North-South Transport Corridor (Ferries McDonald Road) - Negotiating with the State Government to ensure the community’s interests were protected in the expansion of correctional and mental health facilities - Driving initiatives to enhance community safety - Championing the Gifford Hill development, paving the way for a new racecourse and future housing for 10,000 residents - Supporting the 2010 Regional Centre of Culture program and the renovation of the Town Hall and Art Gallery - Leading the development of The Marketplace shopping complex, including the public library - Strongly advocating for the Monarto employment precinct and water independence initiatives Allan was also instrumental in strengthening relationships with the Ngarrindjeri community, playing a significant role in the signing of the Kungun Yunnan Agreement. In recognition of his lifelong dedication to public service, Allan was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2010. Allan will be remembered as a dedicated and deeply valued member of our community, not only during his time as Mayor but also in the years that followed. He was a friend to all, a mentor to many, and a role model whose guidance and kindness left a lasting impact. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all who had the privilege of working alongside him. Allan's funeral will be held at the Uniting Church, Murray Bridge on Wednesday 12 February 2025 commencing at 2 pm. 

The Rural City of Murray Bridge are currently hiring for a number of positions across the organisation.  𝐑𝐂𝐌𝐁 •         Communications Officer 𝐋𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 •            Lifestyle Assistant •            Enrolled Nurse •            Registered Nurse The Rural City of Murray Bridge is one of the fastest growing regional centres in Australia, located only 45 minutes south east of Adelaide. The city is in an exciting position of being on the brink of further growth and development, as a place for industry, business and a place to live and thrive. For more information or to apply please visit: https://lnkd.in/gdpgdH6Z

Murray Bridge welcomed the dawn of 2025 with a sky full of fireworks at Wharf Hill, Sturt Reserve bringing our community together for a truly unforgettable celebration. Thank you to everyone who joined us to welcome the new year. Your enthusiasm and community spirit truly made this event special. We extend our sincere thanks to our event sponsors and supporters: Gifford Hill, Spry Civil Construction, Bridge Office National, Tyndale Christian School – Murray Bridge, Buddle Material Handling Pty Ltd, B & L Cox Electrical Pty Ltd and Adrian Pederick MP. Our appreciation also goes out to the dedicated contractors, food vendors and the many individuals behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to ensure NYE 2024 was a night to remember. From the stunning bridge lighting to the breath-taking fireworks display, the night was a true celebration of community, connection and hope for the year ahead. Here’s to a prosperous and fulfilling 2025. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! 🎇 #NewYearsEve #MurrayBridge #Community #Celebration #2025

Vale Brenton Lewis It is with sadness that we share the passing of our former Mayor, Brenton Lewis OAM, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday 26 November 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Brenton Lewis served as Mayor of the Rural City of Murray Bridge from 2014 to 2022. During his eight years in office, he was a passionate and driven leader who worked tirelessly to transform Murray Bridge into a prouder, safer and more progressive community. His dedication to public service, combined with his genuine care for the people of the region, leaves a lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come. Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Lewis oversaw the redevelopment of key public spaces, advocated for local businesses and championed initiatives that celebrated Murray Bridge’s diversity and inclusivity. He played a pivotal role in enhancing community safety and infrastructure and was instrumental in initiating the successful "Make It Yours" campaign, which encouraged new residents to call Murray Bridge home. Beyond his role as Mayor, Mr Lewis’s commitment to the community extended to his active involvement in numerous organisations, including the Murray Bridge Racing Club and Rotary Club, where he was a life member and past president. In recognition of his decades of service, Mr Lewis was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2023. This honour was a reflection of his dedication to improving the lives of those around him, and he humbly attributed the accolade to the collective efforts of the community. Brenton was also awarded Murray Bridge Citizen of the Year in 2023. A funeral service to celebrate Mr Lewis’s life will be held on Wednesday 11 December 2024, at 1:30 pm at the Murray Bridge Racecourse, a venue that held special meaning to him. We invite the community to join us in remembering Brenton Lewis’s extraordinary legacy and keeping his family in your thoughts during this difficult time. His vision, leadership and compassion will continue to be a part of Murray Bridge’s story.

We have an exciting opportunity at the Rural City of Murray Bridge for a suitably qualified person to join us as General Manager - Community Development.

The Rural City of Murray Bridge is excited to join local service providers to host a Wellbeing Summit in Murray Bridge this December. This strong collaborative initiative brings together iREACH, ac.care, Murray Bridge Community Centre, Skylight Mental Health, Genuine Support Services Australia, The Haven, Foodbank, Murray Bridge Wellbeing Hub, Preventive Health SA, Planning Institute of Australia, Coorong District Council and the Rural City of Murray Bridge. The Wellbeing Summit is funded by the Rural City of Murray Bridge, the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement and seeks to unite key community stakeholders to discuss and promote wellbeing in the region. Scheduled on 3 & 4 December 2024, the Summit will feature interactive workshops on day one, exploring five key themes: Life on the Land and the River, Homelessness and Housing, Transport, Community Connection, and Health and Wellbeing. Day two will focus on refining these ideas and transforming them into actionable outcomes. Participants will also have the opportunity to vote on a project to receive immediate funding as part of this collaborative initiative. The Wellbeing Summit will be held at the Murraylands Skills Centre, 12 Bridge St, Murray Bridge, SA 5253. Attendance is free, but registration is required. If you or someone you know is passionate about making a difference in these areas, secure your spot today at https://lnkd.in/gxq3qCTd.

The Rural City of Murray Bridge is delighted to announce the appointment of Kristen Manson as General Manager of Growth & Economic Development. Kristen brings a wealth of experience and expertise gained from her work with RCMB and other local governments, making her an invaluable fit for this executive role.   A seasoned local government professional, Kristen has been acting in the position of General Manager for Growth & Economic Development since late July 2024. Prior to this, she served as General Manager of Community Development at RCMB, a role she began in 2019.   Heather Barclay, CEO of the Rural City of Murray Bridge, expressed her enthusiasm about the appointment.   “Kristen previously oversaw both Growth & Economic Development as part of Community Development before our organisational realignment in January 2024 and brings significant experience and expertise to this role,” Heather said.   “This appointment not only provides strategic leadership to the portfolio but also ensures continuity within our organisational leadership.”   Kristen also shared her excitement for the new challenge:   “Growth is such an exciting aspect of our thriving community, with immense capacity and opportunities for industry and business expansion. It’s a privilege to contribute to this vision for our region,” said Kristen.   This appointment aligns with our 2024-28 Strategic Plan, which focuses on activating our Rural City, attracting people and industry, and supporting our vibrant community as we actively prepare for growth. #MurrayBridge #ThrivingCommunities #MakeItYours

Last Friday, we hosted the first regional edition of The Power of Her in Murray Bridge, the heart of the Murraylands.   The event brought together athletes, coaches, sports administrators, and advocates from across the country, fostering meaningful conversations about the challenges women face and how we can work together to overcome them.   We were fortunate to have Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, and Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, open the event, sharing inspiring insights into the State’s initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers for women in sport.   This event was a huge step forward in supporting and empowering women in sport and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, as well as the partnership of the Integrated Murraylands Physical Activity Committee (IMPAC), comprising of Coorong District Council, the District Council of Karoonda East Murray, Mid Murray Council, Southern Mallee District Council and The Rural City of Murray Bridge.   The Power of Her is a great example of our commitment to partnering with neighbouring councils, government, service providers, and industry to empower and support our thriving community. It’s a priority in our 2024-28 Strategic Plan, where we’re focused on delivering a balanced mix of services, education and training opportunities to help our community thrive.   #ThePowerOfHer #Sport #Murraylands #IMPAC #MurrayBridge