Naracoorte-Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross is ready to engage with the Country Cabinet when it holds its seventh meeting in Naracoorte next month.
And Mr Ross says at the top of his list of things to be discussed with the Premier and his ministers will be the “region’s desperate need for an extra 1,000 homes”.
He said he would also discuss with the state government investing in post-school training and upgrading education facilities in line with regional demands.
“It’s time for both state and federal governments to get serious about infrastructure for the future strength of our nation,” the mayor said.
Mr Ross said he was very excited about the Country Cabinet coming to Naracoorte next month and hosting a BBQ night for the public.
“This will be a great opportunity to come and mingle and even ask questions of our Premier and hopefully a full complement of Ministers.”
Mr Ross shared that on September 8, National Literacy Day, he attended a BBQ event at the Naracoorte Primary School with representatives from all the schools and pre-schools.
“We were privileged to listen to Didar Ali speak with us about the importance of literacy and language skills in a new country and his gratitude to the Naracoorte community for their understanding and welcome.
“Didar also touched on the continuing need for resettlement and family reunion of Afghani people still in Afghanistan and the desperate need to finalise the visa to resident status of those living here with the uncertainty of citizenship.”
Mr Ross said he also spoke to a few women who “frankly talked” about what they saw as needs for their community.
“This included more childcare, a greater opportunity to learn to drive, the opportunity to be able to swim (this would need to be indoors or at least in private), and their desire to have a building in which they could celebrate their religion and community and family events.
“I stressed that the opportunity to personally meet with the Premier and the ministers of the state government was and should be at the forefront of their minds, and I assured them that I would introduce them to whomever they would like to see.”
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
