Narungga electorate update - September

There was good news this month with 24/7 security guards deployed at Wallaroo Hospital from 1 September, contracted for a six-month trial period while an ongoing security model is developed to be implemented in the long term. 

I congratulate the whole community who rallied behind the push for this welcome outcome and sincerely hope that all staff now feel safer and fully supported in their workplace that provides such essential front line health services in our region.

Also on 1 September, new regulations in the next phase of banning single use plastics came into force. I advise now banned are plastic stemmed cotton buds, plastic pizza savers and single-use plastic plates and bowls (exemptions are in place for any medical, scientific, forensic or law enforcement purposes only). These products join the already banned single-use plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers (prohibited since March 2021) and polystyrene cups, bowls, plates and clamshell containers (March 2022). Next to be banned (from September 2024) will be plastic produce bags and single-use plastic beverage containers, including coffee cups; and after that plastic fruit stickers, plastic soy sauce fish and products with attached plastic straws/cutlery will follow. More details: www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au

Funding allocations

Hardwicke Bay Progress Association has pleasingly been allocated $20,000 for a lookout shelter near Hardwicke Bay boat ramp from the Thriving Regions Fund, and 16 local schools are to each receive in the vicinity of $20,000-$30,000 from the Student Wellbeing Boost Program for various worthy projects.

There have also been 33 sports clubs in the Narungga electorate announced as recipients of equipment and program funding from the latest round of the Office of Sport and Recreation’s Active Club program; congratulations to all involved in these applications.

Parliament

We’ve had two Parliament sitting weeks since the last update, within which I have introduced the Motor Vehicle (Number Plates) Amendment Bill (refer separate news item) and also addressed the chamber about the impact on local sporting groups of a decision by government to introduce gender quotas (40% men and 40% women minimums) for serving volunteer committees as a requirement for eligibility to apply for Office of Sport and Recreation grant funding programs.

To view the above speeches, refer the Parliament tab on this website. Both topics outlined are issues of concern and I invite constituents wishing to provide feedback or seeking more information to please contact the electorate office.