Yorke Peninsula Council has been advised by SA Power Networks of a planned power outage in Yorketown on Wednesday, 1 October, from 8am until approximately 3pm.
As our service delivery relies on power supply, the Yorketown Council Office will be closed for the day. Staff will instead be available to assist community members at our Minlaton and Maitland Offices.
A notice will also be displayed at the Yorketown Office. Council thanks the community for their understanding.
Kylie Gray is the new Mayor of Yorke Peninsula Council.
Kylie won the supplementary election with 2,615 votes, ahead of candidate Michael O’Connell who secured 996 votes.
Almost 39 per cent of enrolled voters participated in the election, with 3,611 formal votes tallied.
“I am incredibly grateful and truly humbled to have been elected by the community as the first female Mayor of the Yorke Peninsula,” Ms Gray said.
“I feel inspired by the strength and encouragement of so many female leaders within our community and across Local Government.
“My interest in legislation and governance has developed throughout my varied career, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities for growth this role will bring.”
Ms Gray said, like all new roles, this one will be a journey of learning, listening and relationship-building.
“I believe education and open communication are key to creating positive connections across our community and empowering people with knowledge – helping Council make thoughtful and balanced decisions for the future of our district.
“I would like to sincerely thank the people of the Yorke Peninsula for placing your trust in me.
“To my family, friends, supporters and fellow Elected Members – your encouragement has made this possible.
“A conductor alone makes no symphony, it is the many instruments, coming together with timing, balance and harmony, that creates the score.”
Kylie was provisionally declared elected on Tuesday afternoon, 23 September.
The promotion of Kylie from Councillor to Mayor leaves her former Council seat vacant, requiring a supplementary election for the Innes/Penton Vale Ward.
More information about this upcoming supplementary election will be announced in the near future.
The much-loved Minlagawi Nature Festival will return on Thursday, 2 October 2025, bursting with free, fun-filled activities designed to connect the community with the natural world.
More than 200 people attended last year’s festival, and this year promises to be even bigger.
The festival is proudly supported by the Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association and Yorke Peninsula Council.
Families can look forward to a wide range of activities including Nharangga face paint and craft, cubby building, earth drums, fairy gardens, nature crowns, rock art, and nature-inspired art and craft.
Council’s Environment Officer Letitia Dahl-Helm said the event is designed for people of all ages and abilities.
“The Minlagawi Nature Festival is a celebration of our environment and culture,” Ms Dahl-helm said.
“From babies and toddlers to teens, there are activities to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and foster a love of nature.”
She said the festival is also about building community connection.
“It’s such a beautiful opportunity to slow down, spend time together outdoors, and celebrate Nharangga culture alongside nature-based play,” Ms Dahl-helm said.
“Last year more than 200 people joined us, and we can’t wait to welcome even more this year.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic basket, snacks, and a rug to enjoy morning tea or lunch surrounded by nature during the spring school holidays.
The Minlagawi Nature Festival will be held on Thursday, 2 October 2025, at Minlagawi Gum Flat Reserve.
To find out more or to register, visit: events.humanitix.com/minlagawi-nature-festival-2025
Yorke Peninsula Council is pleased to announce that Burners Beach bush campground has reopened just in time for the October long weekend, school holidays and the busy summer season.
Recent storms caused damage to the campground forcing its temporary closure.
Council staff have undertaken repairs and tidied the site to ensure it could be safely reopened.
Acting Mayor Richard Carruthers said the reopening highlighted the dedication and hard work of Council staff.
“Our crews did an outstanding job repairing access and getting Burners Beach ready for locals and visitors to enjoy again,” he said.
“We know how much people love camping at Burners and across Yorke Peninsula, and it’s a credit to staff that this important site is open again for the community after sustaining significant damage.”
While the main Burners Beach campground west is now open, the smaller eastern section remains closed due to more substantial storm damage.
Council continues to prioritise repairs across tin response to the many assets and infrastructure items damaged by the severe weather experienced midyear.
Acting Mayor Carruthers encouraged people to book their camping stays early for the busy summer season.
“Camping is one of the best ways to experience our region, and with summer just around the corner we encourage people to secure their spot now,” he said.
Yorke Peninsula is home to 19 Council-managed campgrounds, mostly located along the southern and western coastlines, which remain largely unaffected by recent algal blooms impacting some waters elsewhere.
Permits are $20 per night with discounts for longer stays, and locals can purchase Annual Permits for $400 (expiry 30 June).
Bush Camping bookings can be made via www.yorke.sa.gov.au.
Bush camping specials
Bush Camping remains on half-price sale until the end of September.
The discount is among a range of measures endorsed by Council to support the economy and wider community in response to the harmful algal bloom designed to:
Don’t miss out – this is your last chance to take advantage of the special before the busy peak summer season begins.
With 19 stunning Council-managed campgrounds spread across Yorke Peninsula, there has never been a better time to discover the natural beauty of the region.
Book your bush camping getaway online at www.yorke.sa.gov.au
More than 40 garage sales are expected across Yorke Peninsula Council this November, as locals join over 400,000 Australians participating in this year’s Garage Sale Trail, one of the country’s largest secondhand shopping events.
Held over two weekends (8–9 & 15–16 November), the event sees thousands of garage sales pop up in streets, schools, front yards, and community spaces nationwide.
Locals can host their own sale or join a market, take part on one day or across both weekends.
“It’s a fun and meaningful way for locals to take climate action, meet their neighbours, and make some extra cash,” Acting Mayor Richard Carruthers said.
“Garage Sale Trail makes it easy to give your items a second life – and keep them out of landfill.”
“By selling or buying secondhand, we’re not just saving money – we’re helping reduce waste and giving our community a boost,” Mr Carruthers added.
“Every item sold or swapped is one less item going to landfill, and that’s a win for our environment and our neighbourhoods.”
Registration is free and includes access to downloadable signs, guides, and promotional tools – making participation simple.
Last year, the average seller earned $499, showing that selling secondhand is as good for the wallet as it is for the planet.
“There’s something for everyone – from fashion and retro homewares to kids’ toys, tools, plants, and books,” Mr Carruthers said.
Participation is free thanks to Council support, helping locals reduce waste and embrace the circular economy.
By taking part, residents are keeping usable items out of landfill, giving them a second life, and supporting a more sustainable community.
Register your sale now at www.garagesaletrail.com.au/Yorke-Peninsula.
YorKON, Yorke Peninsula’s much-loved games and pop culture convention, is set to return in 2025 with exciting changes.
The free two-day event will be held in the Minlaton Town Hall during the October school holidays, on Friday 10 October (10am–4pm) and Saturday 11 October (10am–3pm).
YorKON is a family-friendly convention featuring retro and modern games, arcade machines, tabletop gaming, cosplay, workshops and collector displays
Yorke Peninsula Council Community Development and Engagement Officer Sonny Coombs said organisers looked forward to welcoming gamers, pop culture fans, and curious newcomers for an action-packed celebration of connection, creativity and fun.
“YorKON has always been about creating a safe, inclusive space where young people and families can connect, play and celebrate shared interests,” he said.
“Beyond the games, YorKON is an important community event that supports youth wellbeing and safe social engagement.
“It encourages creative expression and community pride, and attracts visitors, boosting the local economy.”
The event is free to attend and games are free to play; however, tickets are essential.
To find out more or to get tickets visit: events.humanitix.com/yorkon-games-convention.
Follow YorKON Games Convention on Facebook for updates, sneak peeks and announcements.
Yorke Peninsula Council has taken its harmful algal bloom advocacy all the way to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Acting Mayor Richard Carruthers joined a delegation to Canberra and met with the Prime Minister to seek greater support for Yorke Peninsula on Thursday, 28 August.
The delegation also met Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley as well as various Ministers and almost every South Australian Senator.
“It was important for Yorke Peninsula to be represented as part of this delegation, as Council has persistently fought for our region to be recognised as the worst affected by the harmful algal bloom,” Mr Carruthers said.
“To make our case directly to the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and so many other key decision makers in Canberra was an important step toward getting more help for our community.
“They know who we are, they know that we are affected, and that is really important.
“The delegation follows other efforts by Council, including presenting to State Cabinet and other political and stakeholder representatives, hosting public meetings, direct industry support, marketing initiatives, tourism discounts, fee relief for professional fishers and more.
“It is great to see several things we have asked for – expanded business grant support, environmental resilience projects, marketing support, and a tourism voucher scheme – already happening, but there is more work to be done.”
The delegation comprised mayors, scientists, tourism operators and seafood industry representatives, and travelled to Canberra with three key objectives:
Algal bloom public meetings in Edithburgh, Ardrossan
The State Government is hosting two more community forums to discuss the harmful algal bloom on Yorke Peninsula this month.
The first will be held at Edithburgh Institute (Town Hall) from 5:30 until 7:00pm on Wednesday 10 September. Register here.
The second is at Ardrossan Town Hall (main hall) from 5:30 until 7:00pm on Thursday 11 September. Register here.
Yorke Peninsula Council will also participate in a public hearing to be held as part of the Senate Enquiry into algal blooms in South Australia in Ardrossan earlier on Thursday, 11 September.
Council submitted a thorough and detailed response to the Senate Enquiry last month. Submissions closed as of 22 August.
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