Rail Trail back in the news
Sheryl Lowe. The Penola/Coonawarra Rail Trail was discussed at length at the July Council meeting with elected members faced with choosing between two options for the future of the project. A further almost half a million dollars to complete the planned route or reduce the length of the trail to cut costs was discussed in a 15 minute break from official proceedings.
Naracoorte’s State champion
Chris Oldfield. Alan Phillips remembers highland dancing in public for the first time during a Naracoorte Caledonian Society function at Bool Lagoon when he was four years old. Now he is a 10-year-old State champion highland dancer, eager to compete in as many competitions as he can. But the prizes are not everything. For Alan, his greatest passion is just being able to perform, meet up with “lots of friends” and have fun.
Naracoorte – a great place to stay
Chris Oldfield. A desire by parents to get children out of the house, away from screens and in touch with nature is turning the Naracoorte district into a school holiday destination ... “The idea of being able to get out, get the children out of the house and do all the things that we have in the local area that has a nature base, feet on the ground experience, is exceedingly popular.”: Naracoorte Holiday Park Edwards Group regional manager Alison Baker
Celebrating our heritage
Chris Oldfield. Six pipers, a drummer and dancer recently stirred spirits and awakened the old stone walls and wooden floors of the Naracoorte Hotel – and its patrons. With music almost loud enough to reach the old cemetery, where our Scottish settlers rest, some talented pipers and a drummer had also travelled from Mount Gambier for a Toast to the Tartan.
Doctor shortages impact South East clinics
Sheryl Lowe. South East medical clinics have been affected by doctor shortages resulting in cuts to services and bulk billing. Clinic spokespersons say the Medicare rebate has not kept up with rising costs. Attracting doctors to the South East has been a topic of conversation for many years with one clinic manager saying a 12-month remote rural stint should be built into the training model.
Housing issues raised in Canberra, Adelaide
Chris Oldfield. Mayor Erika Vickery was in Canberra when a crowd thirsty for information met at the Naracoorte Football Club to learn about a proposal for the North Parklands ... In her written report Mrs Vickery said the theme of the National General Assembly was Partners in Progress. “The program included sessions on building stronger communities and population, housing and workforce skills.”
Applause for parklands native vegetation
Chris Oldfield. Concerns about native vegetation and fauna if the North Parklands were developed attracted a round of applause during a recent forum ... “Because once this land has gone and the way I see it personally, and maybe others see it the see it the same - once this land is gone and put under houses, it is gone from potential native regeneration for walking tracks and for flora and fauna, and it is gone forever.”
Council planned homes 65 years ago
Chris Oldfield. The North Parklands were earmarked 65 years ago for homes as the town expanded, according to the former Naracoorte Corporation’s official development plans. The plans were revealed by former mayor, regional president and once vice president of the SA Local Government Association, David Hood during a North Parklands meeting held on June 22.
