March update

On 17 March it was a year since I was elected the Member for Narungga as a proud inclusion to the Marshall Liberal Government team.

There remains much to be done but I believe we’ve made a good start with the securing of $90 million for the Port Wakefield Overpass and Town Duplication project and an additional $10 million of road surface and shoulder widening works across the electorate; $720,000 for Ardrossan Hospital, $750,000 for Yorketown Hospital, and $2.6 million for Snowtown Hospital; and the vital reductions in payroll tax and the emergency services levy.

I am also pleased the repeal process of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 has commenced this week, which includes capping of land and water levies to CPI which will further ease cost of living pressures.

My priorities going forward will continue to be roads and health services, support for farmers and primary industry, and reducing red tape. Tourism and coastal protection will also be keeping me busy in 2019.

I was pleased to host a visit on 5 March from Minister for Transport & Infrastructure the Hon. Stephan Knoll MP which included stops at Wallaroo, Ardrossan, Arthurton and Hardwicke Bay and meetings with Copper Coast, Yorke Peninsula and Barunga West Mayors and CEOs. Topics included road upgrades, jetty maintenance and Local Government reform.

I also last week appreciated a tour of the Tuckerway accommodation and camping facility at Port Vincent with CEO of Girl Guides SA Incorporated Kerrie Akkermans, and also meeting with Senvion Australia Pty Ltd representatives for an update on the site of the proposed Ceres Wind Farm project.

With great pleasure I spoke at the Business Breakfast at Dublin Clean Grain on 7 March and met with local business leaders and government representatives. Such network gatherings are important and this one was timely to share information about the first recipients of funding from the Marshall Liberal Government’s $150 million Regional Growth Fund. This fund aims to decentralise our state’s economy and in its first year attracted 83 applications (more news of successful applicants to come).

I have been assisting multiple sporting groups with letters of support for grant submissions to the recently opened Round 47 Active Club and Community Recreation and Sports Facilities Program funding, and sincerely commend all project drivers on their dedication to their communities.

In Round 47 of the Active Club Program a maximum request of $5,000 is available for Program and Equipment applications, and up to $25,000 for facility requests. The Narungga electorate has a notional allocation of $40,000 to distribute so I encourage participation. Closing date is 17 April and guidelines and application forms are at www.ors.sa.gov.au

I also encourage organisations to nominate high achieving helpers for a 2019 Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

Our country towns would not function without volunteers who give so much time to their communities via service and sporting clubs, charity organisations and within CFS brigades and volunteer ambulance crews.

I urge organisations and community groups to submit their nominations for the Premier’s Certificate of Recognition program; details at www.ofv.sa.gov.au/premiers-certificate with nominations closing on Friday, 29 March 2019.

For assistance with grant programs, or with any State matter, contact the team at the Maitland electorate office at 51 Robert Street; phone 8832 2455; email [email protected]