Declare drought a disaster
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas has declined to officially declare a drought in the state, claiming that his administration's drought relief package represented the "largest in South Australia's history." … Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross and local accountant Abby Miller made an impassioned plea to the government, urging swift action to aid farmers in the region who were struggling with extreme drought conditions.
Minister: We have spoken to Abby
In light of the persistent drought conditions, the minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development has reached out to the Commonwealth government to seek clarity regarding the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) hardship provisions. Minister Clare Scriven confirmed this to The [Naracoorte] News after being asked about the support her office was providing to drought-stricken farmers in the region.
Mayor’s heartfelt appeal
“This is an emergency”. That is the urgent message from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross, who has issued a heartfelt appeal to the government for immediate support for farmers grappling with severe drought in the area.
McBride: Court process does not impact my role
With his head lowered and a diary in hand, independent member for MacKillop Nick McBride appeared before the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on May 7 ... faced resident magistrate Koula Kossiavelos for the first time, confronting three charges related to the alleged assault of his estranged wife of three decades, Katherine McBride, on April 10 at a property in the south east.
Hard Talk: Push for renal services at Naracoorte
Making more than a three-hour round trip to Mount Gambier Hospital and spending five hours on a dialysis chair each week is a tough routine for Ros Tregoweth ... In this edition of Hard Talk, The [Naracoorte] News spoke with multiple stakeholders, including patients, who expressed a shared sense of urgency for renal care services to be made available locally.
Court finds gunman not guilty
The man charged with the murder of Lucindale police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig was recently found not guilty due to mental incompetence and will not face a criminal trial. The SA Supreme Court made the ruling after a joint request from both the prosecution and the defence.
Suffering in silence: Farmers call for a hand up, not handouts
Around the state, Mr Schinckel said the amount of money spent by producers nowadays would be something in the order of $10-$15 million per week per 1000 producers. “So, $50m that the SA government is offering is not going to go far—it’s a drop in the ocean.” ... He believed that the state and federal governments did not know or understand livestock production.
Community healthcare concerns
The community has called for better access to specialist healthcare services and further development of local health infrastructure within the district. This was strongly voiced during the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) public consultation for the development of the clinical services plan ... The goal of the consultation was to engage the community in identifying what matters most in advancing local healthcare services.
“Poppy Girls” heartfelt tribute
If you haven’t had the chance to visit the poppy installation at Naracoorte Town Square, you’re truly missing a stunning display of craftsmanship. This powerful tribute, featuring around 1,500 hand-knitted poppies arranged on a five-by-five-metre net, was created by Naracoorte’s heartfelt group known as the “Poppy Girls” in honour of the courageous ANZAC soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom.
McBride to face court
Independent member for MacKillop, Nick McBride, will face the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on May 7, next month, facing three counts of alleged aggravated assault charges. Mr McBride has been charged by police with three counts of alleged aggravated assault by a person known to him—his estranged wife, Katherine McBride.
