What's happening

In May 2025, Council received a request from the Mount Torrens and Districts Community Association to assign the name "Andy Bennett Bridge" to the bridge over the Angas Creek, located on Townsend Street, Mount Torrens.

This request was taken to the 24 June 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, where a Motion on Notice was resolved by Council for the CEO to investigate the naming of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s (DIT) bridge, located on Townsend Street, Mount Torrens and provide a recommendation to Council.

Council has a legislative process to review and address the naming of public places and roads and the policy can be viewed on the Adelaide Hills Council website or under our Document Library. While the bridge in question, does not technical sit under this policy as it is not a public or private road or a public place, we are choosing to follow the requirements of this policy due to the similar nature of the naming request.

The policy states that any renaming of private or public roads or public places requires:

• Notification to councillors in relation to the proposal. (Report to Council)
• Notification to residents/property owners within a defined catchment of the reserve or public place, or where a name change affects a local road or place which is often given as a reference for access.
• Notification in the local press and via social media, inviting public comment on the proposal will occur.

Community engagement was undertaken between the 10 to 30 September 2025, seeking feedback around the communities level of support for the bridge on Townsend Street in Mount Torrens to be named "Andy Bennett Bridge".

You can find out what we heard from our community by viewing the Engagement Summary tab below or by reading the Engagement Outcomes Report available under the Document Library.

Who was Andy Bennett?

Andy lived on Townsend Street, Mount Torrens until the eve of his 93rd birthday, running his mechanic business there for decades. Known for his skill in fixing anything, from machinery to musical instruments, he became the “go-to” man for community groups including the Mount Torrens and Districts Community Association, Centenary Park, Soldiers’ Memorial Hall and the CFS.

Beyond his talents, Andy was remembered as kind, helpful and devoted, caring for his mother until her passing. His funeral tribute recalled him as “forever remembered for his sharp mind, kind heart and tinkering hands.”

The naming of the “Andy Bennett Bridge” stands as a fitting memorial to this legendary local.

Council decision and next steps

At the Council Meeting held on 28 October 2025, Council made the decision to support the name proposal for the bridge on Townsend Street in Mount Torrens. Council will now send a request to the Surveyor General, who in turn will seek approval from the Commissioner of Highways for the bridge to be named Andy Bennett Bridge.

You can view a copy of the Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes under Relevant Links.

From Wednesday 10 to Tuesday 30 September 2025, we invited feedback from local residents and the wider community, around the proposal to name the bridge on Townsend Street, Mount Torrens "Andy Bennett Bridge".

We received a total of 45 formal feedback responses via the online and hardcopy feedback form and email. During the engagement period a petition supporting the naming proposal was submitted by a Birdwood resident. The petition was signed by 263 community members.

Feedback received during the community engagement period was overwhelming in support of Council supporting the proposal to name the bridge over Angus Creek on Townsend Street, Mount Torrens, Andy Bennett Bridge.

40 community members shared their support for the proposal via feedback form or email, with an additional person answering yes, they did support the proposal, but they had some concerns or suggestions.

Commentary provided in support of the proposal, spoke about Andy’s contributions to the local community and that the bridge being named after him would be a fitting recognition.

A further 256 community members signed a petition in support of the proposal to name the bridge Andy Bennett Bridge.

Four community members were not in support of the proposal and those that did provide commentary mentioned consideration for other potential names.