Blue lease on life
Gabrielle Duykers. A dead tree outside Lucindale has been transformed into a bright blue beacon which local suicide prevention advocates hope will help spark conversations around mental health ... While the Blue Tree Project has seen 36 blue trees pop up around South Australia, the Lucindale addition is the first to feature in the Limestone Coast.
Corella culling begins
Gabrielle Duykers. Local council will begin its annual shooting of corellas throughout the district this month in an attempt to mitigate damage caused by the species. At its October meeting, Naracoorte Lucindale Council moved to begin its Little Corella Management Program 2021-22 which will extend to April 2022.
Frances calls for help as fire season looms
Chris Oldfield. A call for help has been issued by Frances Progress Association as the fire danger season looms. The town has just one tank of fire water to protect its entire community. There is no town water supply and no bore fitted with a pump and generator during a power outage. A 4km strip of native vegetation runs from the Little Desert National Park straight into Frances. If it was fuelling a fire, flames would hit the school first.
Taxpayers funding locum doctors
Chris Oldfield. The SA Government is using taxpayer funds to pay fly-in locum doctors up to $3000 per 12-hour shift at country hospitals. And it is claimed it pays our local Naracoorte GPs as little as $285 per 24-hour shift to cover accident and emergency. Seven SA country hospitals including Millicent and Mount Gambier are now reliant on taxpayer funded fly-in locums – when they are available.
Farmers flock to Seeds Field Day
Gabrielle Duykers. More than 100 farmers, researchers, and industry representatives gathered together for the Naracoorte Seeds biannual Field Day to learn about the latest in productive pasture varieties ... "It's important for local growers because they're getting the most relevant information about the newest and most productive pasture varieties on the market, and it's important for us to test what we think we know”: Jamie Tidy, MD, Naracoorte Seeds Research Farm.
Classics to fill caves
The sounds of classic works will soon fill the walls of the Naracoorte Caves, with internationally acclaimed violinist Jonathon Glonek set to perform there this weekend. The world heritage site will host two concerts featuring the Adelaide-born musician: the first offering a glimpse into the repertoire of the solo violin, and the second serving up a duo recital from Mr Glonek and violist Heidi Von Bernewitz.
Locals rate NL Council’s Blackford fire response
Gabrielle Duykers. Residents affected by the Blackford fire have described local council as “missing in action” during the recovery efforts following the tragic event. In January this year, the Blackford fire burnt through more than 14,000 hectares of land throughout Lucindale and Avenue Range. On September 23, 2021, Naracoorte Lucindale Council emailed a survey to residents and landowners affected by the fire to gain feedback on its recovery actions and approach.
Locals tour Rare Earth program
Chris Oldfield. “If they can extract rare earths from the South East in a way that doesn’t have a negative impact on the productivity of the land, and the environment, then we can be proud to be part of the bigger picture for the zero carbon targets that are being set by governments all round the world.” Frances farmer Wayne Hawkins's comments come in the wake of a recent site visit for Frances residents regarding a Kopamurra project by mining company, Australian Rare Earths.
