Ben’s “pretty chuffed”
The Naracoorte District Men’s Shed is a vital part of the community, offering men a supportive and productive space. That’s the word from member of the Legislative Council and Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional South Australia, Ben Hood, who visited the members as part of Men’s Health Week last week.
Future of the Obelisk
Preserving Robe’s historic landmark and popular tourist attraction, the Obelisk, in its current location is “not a responsible use of ratepayer funds” ... “While we recognise its profound historical significance, various factors such as cost, environmental impact, practicality, and community opinion present significant challenges”: Mayor Lisa Ruffell.
Thank you, Naracoorte!
One of Naracoorte’s champion athletes, Jessica Stenson, nee Trengrove, is off to Paris to represent the country’s women’s marathon team in the 2024 Olympic Games next month. Born and bred in the small town of Naracoorte, South Australia, Jessica, a medal-winning marathon runner, was selected by Athletics Australia for the team after weeks of controversy and recriminations.
Rates go up 5 per cent
Local ratepayers have been slapped with a rate increase of five per cent for the next financial year. Elected members of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council had mixed reactions to the increase, but the majority agreed a five per cent increase was the right thing to do to safeguard and protect the council, which is in a “dangerous position” financially. The council administration had initially proposed a 5.8 per cent increase in rates via a 53-page document...
60 new GPs
The government has announced a new plan that will see the addition of 60 new general practitioners in regional South Australia, including the Limestone Coast. The new Single Employer Model (SEM) will support up to 60 additional GP and rural generalist registrars training in the community at any one time – potentially quadrupling the state’s existing cohort as the program scales up over time.
Elective surgery chopped
Stakeholders: What’s going on with health services? Booked for an elective surgery at a public hospital, you might have to look for other options. Elective surgery has been cancelled at all hospitals across the state, including the Naracoorte Hospital. Reason, the health system is heaving under an illness load, with a large number of Covid and flu cases in the community resulting in staff shortages...
Lovegrass threat
It’s scary and a superspreader. That’s how a Keith farmer and elected councillor of the Tatiara District Council has described the situation involving the spread of African lovegrass in the Upper South East ... Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) is a long-lived tussock-forming grass usually growing 30 to 120cm tall.
New learning centre for Naracoorte
If all goes according to plan, Naracoorte will have a new early learning and childcare centre by mid-to-late 2025. Work on the $2million facility located at the unused former TAFE building is set to commence this September.
Investment in education
A South Australian education union has slammed the 2024 Federal Budget for failing to deliver the much-needed investment in education. SA Branch of the Australian Education Union says public schools, including the ones in areas like Naracoorte Lucindale District, are not currently funded to the minimum school resourcing standard. “The current resourcing agreement for South Australia is set to expire at the end of this year…”: branch president Jennie-Marie Gorman.
Dirt roads
Serious concerns are being raised about the deteriorating condition of our dirt roads and the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s ability to maintain them. The [Naracoorte Community] News visited some of the dirt roads in Naracoorte to see for itself their deteriorating conditions.
