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SA

“Harrod’s” raises almost $9k

Chris Oldfield. After raising almost $9000 for the community, Lucindale’s Op Shop has grown out of its store, and relocated. Affectionately known as “Harrod’s of Lucindale”, several women have been working around the clock setting up the Lucy Loves Again second-hand community store in the former ANZ Bank building.

New plant in Tarpeena

A Tarpeena timber mill has announced it will be creating more jobs in the region with the construction of a new manufacturing facility at its existing site. This month, Timberlink will begin developing a treatment plant to produce Light Organic Solvent Preservative (LOSP) treated timber.

South Australian battery mineral project receives Major Project Status

Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, has announced that Renascor Resources Ltd has been granted Major Project Status for its $209 million Siviour project, which includes a graphite mine and concentrator located in the Eyre Peninsula and a downstream purified spherical graphite (PSG) manufacturing facility located in Port Adelaide. The Project is now on track to become the first in-country integrated graphite mine and battery anode material operation outside of China, positioning Australia as an important participant in the global battery industry and electric vehicle markets.

Improved water security and accessibility

Through grant funding provided via the Commonwealth Government's Drought Communities Programme (DCP) Extension new water standpipes have been installed in Eden Valley, Moculta and Mount Pleasant. The standpipes will support those within the council area who do not have access to reticulated water supplies and may have limited access via other sources due to ongoing drought conditions.

From tanks to tractors – operation grain harvest assist launched

A nationwide operation has been launched aiming to bolster the supply of local workers to help deliver this year’s bumper grains harvest and relieve pressure on farming communities. Retired and former ADF servicemen and women are being motivated and mobilised under Operation Grain Harvest Assist, to answer the call-up and work on grain farms stationed throughout Australia.

Fishing restrictions at Port Pirie extended

Precautionary fishing restrictions in waters immediately adjacent to Port Pirie have been extended for a further 12 months ... Put in place in September 2020 after the release of a scientific study into heavy metals in sediment in the area, the restrictions have been extended for another year while SA Health complete an in-depth analysis of sample results and consider the public health implications.

Coober Pedy Together, 30 September 2021

District Council of Coober Pedy, Media Release, 13 September 2021

MiniJumbuk’s local investment

Gabrielle Duykers. Wool processing factory MiniJumbuk is planning a $500,000 expansion for its Naracoorte retail shop in an effort to attract more tourists ... Marketing manager Darren Turner said the business wanted to create an “engaging” experience for visitors. “You’ll be able to walk out into a safe environment and see manufacturing happening. We want to be able to show how things are still made here in Australia.”

McBride crosses floor for border community

Chris Oldfield. Member for MacKillop Nick McBride crossed the floor of State Parliament last week, preventing his party from extending its state emergency COVID powers to April 30 next year – after the next state election. He supported amendments by Mount Gambier Independent Troy Bell, and the state’s emergency Act will now be reviewed again before December 1, inclusive of some changes for regional people. The State’s emergency Act has given great power to police commissioner Grant Stevens to restrict civil liberties, enabling lockdowns, border closures and other COVID restrictions.

Locals reflect on the Blackford fire recovery

Gabrielle Duykers. Farmers affected by the Blackford fire have reflected on the tragic event and its impact on their mental health. Farmers affected by the Blackford fire have reflected on the tragic event and its impact on their mental health. The MacKillop Farm Management Group recently held a ‘Fire and Beyond’ event in Lucindale, where local landholders shared some of their experiences and outlooks for the future.

Floods coming, yet allocations absent

A flood is coming. The forecast flow downstream of Yarrawonga is estimated to reach 50–60,000 megalitres per day (split between Tuppal and Bullatale Creeks and the Murray River) and the Goulburn has had minor flooding, with flows of 21,000 megalitres a day ... Our food producers now face what is an allocation drought during a flood event.

Hume Dam water releases increase to create airspace and reduce future flood impacts

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has increased daily releases from Hume Dam to 31GL to manage airspace. The flow rate will keep Murray River levels similar to what they have been in the past few days – a little above channel capacity but well below minor flood level at Albury. The release rate is likely to change in response to changing conditions in the catchment.

Work commences on Murray Bridge training track

Racing SA is pleased to announce construction of the inner-turf training track at Murray Bridge Racing Club’s Gifford Hill facility has commenced. The inner-turf track, which will be 15 metres wide and 1654 metres in circumference once completed, is an important addition to the ongoing development of Murray Bridge Racing Club as a training centre for excellence.

A voice for our cross-border community

Gabrielle Duykers. After relentlessly advocating on behalf of cross-border residents for more than a year, Apsley farmer Paula Gust is still fighting for the health and social wellbeing of her community. Mrs Gust, who has a farm straddling the SA/VIC border, began the Cross Border Call Out (CBCO) page in August 2020 ... She said she spends between 20 and 30 hours per week advocating for the cross-border community, taking time away from her own business.

Locals support Afghan community

Gabriell Duykers. Naracoorte locals are opening their doors to members of our Afghan community in a show of solidarity. On August 21, more than 60 locals gathered at the Naracoorte Migrant Resource Centre to extend their support for Afghan migrants living in Naracoorte. Attendees listened to migrants share their struggles and concerns, as many recounted stories from their time living under the previous Taliban rule.

Parklands public consultation rejected

Gabrielle Duykers. A motion to conduct public consultation on the development of the North Parklands has been vetoed by Naracoorte Lucindale Council. At a meeting last week, Cr Craig McGuire moved that council undertake public consultation on the future use of the greater North Parklands, which is owned by the State Government. But in the end, even Cr McGuire voted against his own motion.

What has gone wrong with water management?

Neil J Eagle AO. We now see communities and irrigators questioning why, when dams on the Murrumbidgee and Murray are now pre-releasing or spilling, the allocations remain so low – 30% NSW Murray and 52% Murrumbidgee. The cause dates back to the early 1990s when the anti-irrigation element imbedded in our bureaucracy and, egged on by groups like the ‘Wentworth Group’, began proclaiming our rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin were over-allocated and in dire decline.

Murray–Darling Basin Authority communique

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority met on 30 August 2021 by video teleconference. The meeting was chaired by Sir Angus Houston with all members present ... the Authority released the mid-year  report card on the Basin Plan. This is the sixth report card produced by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and responds to community feedback seeking short and succinct updates on water reform progress.

Farmers crossed in crosshairs of state-ism gone mad

As National Cabinet prepares to meet, farmers have accused state premiers of ‘arrogance’ over border arrangements, saying they seem to have forgotten that growing food and fibre is essential to public health. The National Farmers’ Federation is calling on National Cabinet to recommit to the National Agriculture Workers Code and focus on quarantine solutions for ag workers as a bumper grain harvest looms.

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