How Adelaide Plains Council helped a community navigate crisis with care, connection and leadership

When crisis hits, it rarely comes quietly.

For the Adelaide Plains, the arrival of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) was exactly that - a sudden and unprecedented biosecurity event that rippled through one of South Australia’s most important horticultural regions.

More than 20 hectares of crops were destroyed. Over 1,000 jobs were impacted. Families, workers and businesses were left facing immediate uncertainty.

But in the middle of it all, something equally powerful emerged: a coordinated, compassionate response that showed the true role of local government in times of crisis.

Now recognised with the 2025 Excellence in Emergency Management / Disaster Recovery Award, Adelaide Plains Council’s response is being celebrated as a model of what it means to lead - not just operationally, but humanly.

A crisis beyond the crops

While the outbreak demanded a swift biosecurity response at a state level, the impacts were deeply local.

For council, the challenge wasn’t just about containment - it was about people.

“This wasn’t just an economic event,” the team reflects. “It was a human one.”

Workers suddenly without income. Business owners under intense financial and emotional pressure. A culturally diverse workforce navigating rapidly changing information - often in a second language.

In that moment, Adelaide Plains Council recognised a critical gap.

While government agencies focused on compliance and containment, there was a need for connection, communication and care on the ground.

And that’s where council stepped in.

A trusted voice in uncertain times

Drawing on strong local relationships and deep knowledge of the region, council quickly positioned itself as both an advocate and a connector.

Represented on the State Response Taskforce, the team ensured local voices were heard in decision-making. At the same time, they worked directly with businesses, workers and community organisations to provide clear, timely updates and support.

Partnerships became the backbone of the response.

Collaboration with PIRSA, Workforce Australia, and the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster helped connect displaced workers with new employment opportunities. The Food Cluster, in particular, played a crucial role in reaching growers and workers across language and cultural barriers - strengthening communication where it mattered most.

Behind the scenes, council teams worked tirelessly to coordinate messaging, facilitate support services, and ensure no one was navigating the crisis alone.

Where practical support meets genuine care

While systems and processes were essential, it was the human moments that defined the response.

The Mayor and CEO visiting affected sites.
Council leaders attending the Local Assistance Hub on day one.
A Sunday visit to displaced PALM workers in Mallala.
A quiet conversation with a business owner under immense pressure - simply to listen and be present.

“These moments reinforced the importance of empathy,” the team says. “It’s not just about solving problems - it’s about showing up.”

And it made a difference.

Businesses reported feeling supported and informed during an incredibly uncertain time. Workers found new pathways. Agencies aligned around a shared purpose.

What could have been an isolating experience became one defined by connection.

Stronger together

Out of crisis came lasting change.

The response strengthened the role of the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster as a vital connector across the region’s agribusiness ecosystem - bridging industry, government and community.

Internally, council enhanced its capability in emergency response, particularly in integrating economic development into recovery efforts.

Across the community, there’s now a deeper appreciation for collaboration, preparedness, and the importance of strong local leadership.

In many ways, the region has emerged more connected - and more resilient.

The people behind the response

At the centre of the response was Anne Minion, Economic Development Officer, whose role on the State Response Taskforce ensured the Adelaide Plains community had a voice at the highest level.

She was supported by Mayor Mark Wasley and CEO James Miller, whose presence on the ground reinforced council’s commitment from day one.

Behind them stood a dedicated network of teams and partners, including David Bailey, Manager Growth and Investment, and Joe Coluccio, Manager Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster, alongside council’s Growth and Investment and Communications teams.

Together, they demonstrated the power of collaboration - across council, government and industry.

Recognition that belongs to a community

For Adelaide Plains Council, the award is more than recognition of a response - it’s recognition of a community.

It honours the resilience of workers, families and businesses who faced uncertainty with strength. It reflects the importance of relationships built long before a crisis occurs. And it reinforces the role of local government as both a leader and a support system.

Looking ahead

The work isn’t over.

Building on the response, the region is already investing in the future - with a $1.56 million Thriving Regions Fund project supporting virus-resistant crop propagation, improved biosecurity infrastructure, and industry-wide education.

It’s a step toward ensuring the Adelaide Plains is not just prepared for future challenges - but positioned to lead through them.

Because if this response proved anything, it’s this:

When a community comes together - with the right leadership, the right partnerships, and a genuine commitment to care - it can navigate even the most unexpected challenges.

And come out stronger on the other side.

Thank you to our partner LGA Mutual and Norman Waterhouse for sponsoring the Excellence in Emergency Management / Disaster Recovery Award.

GIF: Features a variety of images taken during the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus outbreak, and those representing the project at the 2025 LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner.