Pasin ponders phone towers
Member for Barker Tony Pasin would prefer a different funding method than the “all or nothing” approach of Telstra’s Connect Limestone Coast project. The $40 million project involves 27 phone towers scattered across the region, each costing $1.5 million.
Civic leaders to push for roads, housing, health and education
The region’s mayors and CEOs will work together to access investment for improved roads, housing, health and education. That was one of the key messages from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross who recently welcomed the various civic leaders to Naracoorte.
$9.75m injection for Keith hospital
The Keith and District Hospital has officially joined SA Health with a $9.75 million boost from the SA State Government. After so many decades of uncertainty, it was a moment the Upper SE community had been waiting for. Sporting a new public healthcare model – the facility will be known as Keith and District Healthcare.
$4.3m on hold pending study
A regional health bureaucracy has been blocked from spending $4.3 million on hospital upgrades rather than radiation treatment services in the Limestone Coast. But only until a feasibility study for radiation therapy has been completed. Then SA Health Minister Chris Picton will make a decision.
100 pc mobile coverage in 2 years
Across the Limestone Coast and throughout Australia, Optus and SpaceX plan to provide 100 per cent mobile coverage by the end of 2025. The deal means an Optus customer should be able to connect to Starlink’s satellites to get mobile service if an Optus network is not available.
NLC hangs up on Telstra
An unexplained drop in mobile phone services throughout the district, Telstra profits, Optus and looming satellite mobile services are among reasons the Naracoorte Lucindale Council has rejected Telstra’s second call for ratepayer cash. But the main reason is cost-shifting and ratepayers being asked to pay for a taxpayer funded federal government responsibility.
Telstra’s plan for 27 towers
During the next few years Telstra hopes to build 27 mobile phone towers throughout the region, each costing around $1.5 million. Called Connect Limestone Coast, Telstra expects to fund 25 per cent of the cost itself, anticipating the Commonwealth will pick up 50 per cent of the tab. It will be up to councils, State Government, and industries to fund the remaining cost.
Rates up at Robe
Ratepayers at Robe will have an average rate increase of 7.7 per cent, which mayor Lisa Ruffell believes is “fair and reasonable in the current climate” ... At the top end of the rate rise sits primary producers who are likely to see their rates soar by 11.95 per cent, or more.
Our cardio Phil dies
After saving hundreds of lives in our district, and throughout South Australia, leading cardiologist Dr Phil Tideman OA, has died as a result of bowel cancer, aged 64. It was at Naracoorte and Robe that in 1999 Dr Tideman first teamed up with the Kincraig and Robe Medical Clinics, setting a blueprint for the rest of the nation to follow.
Response to McBride defection
A trade school and further education facility in Naracoorte are opportunities which Nick McBride could work towards achieving as an Independent Member for MacKillop. Such a facility would include training for aged care and allied health as well as other vocations. The suggestions came from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross in the wake of Mr McBride’s resignation from the SA Liberal Party.
