Minister Wingard visits Narungga

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP was pleased to have the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Hon. Corey Wingard MP, visiting the electorate this week. 

Included on the itinerary were visits to local police stations, CFS and SES stations, and meetings with farmers and firefighters about the draft Fire and Emergency Services (Miscellaneous) Bill. 

First stop on Tuesday was a visit to Mallala Police Station to meet with local officers to discuss future resourcing.

"I was advised again that the incumbent officer at Mallala Police Station is to be replaced when he retires in the next couple of months and can assure that the Minister is aware of the level of importance the community places on the vital need for appropriate levels of police resources to be maintained in the district," Mr Ellis said. 

"This was a valuable visit, particularly in response to the two petitions organised by the Mallala community that I presented to Parliament late last year that called on the State Government to maintain the current level of police resources in Mallala."

Next visits were at Balaklava and Port Wakefield before heading to Maitland, Warooka and Minlaton to meet with police, CFS, SES and MFS crews. 

"In Kadina, the meeting with a group of local farmers and CFS officers to discuss the Fire and Emergency Services (Miscellaneous) Bill was also valuable. 

"The group had an open discussion about the implications of proposed new legal powers for CFS officers to direct farmers to stop harvesting in certain weather conditions, and how such a system may logistically work."

There was discussion around enforcement, funding support, weather data systems and existing communication procedures, and the need for alert systems to continue to be farmer-run was emphasised. 

The Minister pledged more consultation to discuss the regulation details, and specifically with Grain Producers SA and Yorke Peninsula/Copper Coast CFS Group Officers, the latter he described as state leaders in what they do.

"The Select Committee on the Fire and Emergency Services (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill is accepting submissions until 1 February, and local farmers and CFS are encouraged to participate in this process."

For information on how to make a submission, visit www.parliament.sa.gov.au  (refer Select Committees) or call the Narungga electorate office on 8832 2455.