Tatiara Council withdraws Murray Darling support
Tatiara District Council has voted to stop providing funding and councillor representation for an organisation that supports the sustainability of Keith’s water supply. Councillor Miles Hannemann made a recommendation that council cease to attend monthly MDA meetings and stop paying the $2,200 annual subscription fee. “They keep saying we’re ‘paying a fee so we might as well be at the table’,” Cr Hanneman said. “I recommend we stop paying money and let them know we’re not coming.”
People power saves park
Chris Oldfield. Hailed as “a win for the people”, deputy premier and local government minister Vickie Chapman has refused the Naracoorte Lucindale Council permission to change the community land status of the Janz St parkland. Without Ms Chapman’s permission for a change of status, the council cannot sell the parkland. Last April a 5-4 vote enabled council to seek ministerial permission and sell the park. Retired senior research scientist Mick Deland – who led a petition against the sale with his son Brian – has praised Ms Chapman, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride and their office staff.
Minister silent as doctors pull out of negotiations
Chris Oldfield. The SA Government can spend up to 10 times more on each locum it employs in the Naracoorte Hospital than it pays a local GP for the same 24-hour shift. Around the State it does the same, spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on locums and fly in fly out doctors rather than finalising contracts which enable local GPs to work at their home town country hospitals.
Young Lucindale auctioneer impresses
Eliza Berlage. A budding auctioneer from Lucindale will compete for a national title, after judges named him state runner-up. Despite only beginning his training this year, Nathan McCarthy placed second in the South Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association Ltd Young Auctioneer competition in Naracoorte this month.
80 years since sea mine tragedy
Sheryl Lowe. Eighty years ago, a tragedy occurred on the shores of Beachport. It took the lives of two young sailors, Able Seaman Thomas William Todd aged 30 years and Able Seaman William Leonard Edward Danswan aged 23 years. This week, the Millicent and Robe Sub-Branches of the RSL hosted the 80th Anniversary Service of the Sea Mine Explosion at the Beachport Mine Memorial.
Bushman’s team bid farewell
Gabrielle Duykers. After almost 20 years behind the bar, Jack Jennings and Rhonda Brown say they are excited to get their weekends back, as they rejoice in the successful sale of the Bushman’s Arms Hotel ... Upon reflection of his time in the industry, Mr Jennings said pubs had been unfairly given a “bad rap” in recent years. “I think people forget the good that pubs do for the community,” he said. “Over the years we’ve sponsored nearly every sporting group going around and even the sporting groups from out of town. Pubs are a centre of a community, they’re fantastic for the communication of people, and in really small towns when the pub dies, the town dies.”
Councils take housing issue to Canberra
Eliza Berlage. Leaders from some Limestone Coast councils say they have come away “feeling positive” after a recent meeting with the Federal Government Housing Minister ... Said Tatiara District Council CEO Anne Champness, “The minister was well informed about our housing challenges and we discussed the contributing factors and possible responses. From our perspective, responses could include changes to the National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF) which would make it more accessible to small/regional councils or help close the finance gap for private developers committing to the development of affordable rental accommodation ... "
Major Moogy recognised for outstanding service
Sheryl Lowe. Proud Ngarrindjeri and Kauma man, Major (‘Moogy’) Sumner, from South Australia’s Coorong region, received the Premier’s NAIDOC Award 2021 last week for outstanding achievements and significant service to the indigenous community of South Australia ... “He is a world-renowned performer and cultural ambassador of Ngarrindjeri arts, crafts, martial arts, traditional dance, song and traditional culture. He has travelled the world learning from other nations and sharing his knowledge and experiences.”
