15 February Narungga update

As the sitting MP I supported the recent calls to return to Parliament to deal with the issue of ensuring those unable to attend a booth on polling day due to being a close contact in isolation had options to ensure they can cast a vote.

At time of writing, the powers that be advise they are working on a solution. In the meantime, I have written to every constituent and posted out postal vote application forms so they can be prepared for a postal vote option should this prove to be a necessary option for them – that information will have started to arrive in all electorate household mailboxes this week. Being under a COVID-19 direction is listed as a valid reason for postal voting.

I also advise that the pre-poll voting centre in Graves Street Kadina (behind ANZ Bank) will be open from Monday 7 March (to Friday 18 March), which I expect will be another popular option. It is so very important that the vote of every constituent can be validly cast and counted, despite the ongoing pandemic.

If any constituents are worried about any aspect of voting day, please contact my office for advice.

I welcomed the news last week that works have now started on the highway duplication from the overpass corner to Lochiel as part of the $260m Augusta Highway Duplication Project. This will reduce travel time, improve safety and increase freight productivity.

I also alert that night works commenced last week and will run for another 5 weeks (weather permitting) just north of the new overpass to just south of Minnie Street to upgrade water infrastructure in Port Wakefield. DIT advises existing pedestrian detours will remain in place via footpaths on the western side of Port Wakefield Highway. Anyone with questions about this project can call 1300 161 407 or email [email protected] .

I also soon expect positive news about the Wallaroo entrance road from Kadina on the Copper Coast Highway, a particularly poor section of road that Copper Coast Council and I have been pushing for investment in for the past 4 years, as has the wider community via a petition I presented on their behalf in parliament last year. Stay tuned for details of works to soon begin there!

I was pleased to co-host a Tourism Roadshow Virtual Event last Thursday, with Tourism Industry Council SA CEO Shaun de Bruyn and RAA GM Gina Norman, with some valuable discussion ensuing with participating stakeholders. Tourism is a vital sector for our region, and in my view, one with considerable untapped potential.

Whilst registration for the latest round of Great State vouchers closed yesterday, the 2022-23 Regional Event Fund is open until 22 April, offering significant support for events planned to be held from September 2022 to August 2023. For more info on this program and other grant opportunities visit my website www.fraserellis.com.au .