Narungga October news update

I was pleased to host a visit by Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon Vincent Tarzia on 29/30 September, which included valuable time spent visiting nine CFS, MFS, SES stations, 3 local police stations and four coastal patrol flotillas, and especially meeting with our dedicated local emergency service volunteers.

Discussions at the sites included resources allocations (it was great to see the new $334,000 CFS tanker at Ardrossan CFS) and the need for further investments to be made. An example is a new vessel for Point Turton Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol for which I have been advocating for the last 18 months, with the flotilla’s existing vessel unable to operate beyond 2 nautical miles from shore due to its age which is impacting rescue response times.

New theatre suite at Yorketown Hospital

I was pleased to visit the Yorketown Hospital on 18 September, meeting with the Friends of Yorketown Hospital group and touring the near-complete $700,000 upgrade of the theatre suite. Handover is expected in early November and then colonoscopy procedures can recommence. I am also aware the Accident and Emergency section of this hospital is in dire need of an upgrade and am already actively advocating for this additional investment.

Tourism

The $20 million Tourism Industry Development Fund program offering grants between $20,000 and $500,000 has been welcomed by operators (opened on 14 September and running until 31 March or until all funds have been allocated), as well as the $4 million travel voucher scheme.

The latter opened on 15 October, strictly for South Australians to entice them to stay overnight in the city ($100 vouchers) or in the suburbs/regions ($50 vouchers) at participating accommodation providers. Travel had to be taken from 15 October to 11 December, and I am advised this scheme was so popular available vouchers (50,000) sold out within two hours.

I also welcomed the launch of a new Distillery Trail on 5 October, developed by the SA Spirit Producers Association and co-funded by the Marshall Liberal Government, which highlights locations of SA spirit producers -- among them the Sunny Hill gin and wheat vodka distillery just outside of Arthurton.

Ag Town of the Year – local contenders

Six of the 70 nominations received for the 2020 Ag Town of the Year award are Yorke Peninsula towns, so I encourage all to go online and vote to ensure they stay in the running as finalists.

The towns of Kadina, Maitland, Moonta, Port Broughton, Wallaroo and Yorketown have been nominated, and the winner is selected based partially on public votes. Visit www.agtown.com.au by Friday, October 30 to have your vote counted.

Mallala and Long Plains

In the past couple of weeks I felt honored to officially open the Mallala Camping Ground and the multi-use sports courts at Long Plains, and helping to welcome eight new Australians at a citizenship ceremony at Wakefield Regional Council with Mayor Rodney Reid.

At Mallala, I was pleased to see such a huge crowd to celebrate the significant efforts of the Mallala Lions Club, with the support of Adelaide Plains Council, in upgrading this popular park and re-opening it for bookings with all proceeds going back into the local community. 

I was also happy to have the opportunity to formally open the upgraded courts at Long Plains, a $285,000 project made possible  with funds raised by the Long Plains Recreation Ground, Long Plains Netball Club and the United Football Club, and a State Government Grassroots Football Cricket and Netball Facility Program grant of $142,250.

Port Wakefield Overpass & Highway Duplication Project

There is now clear evidence this $124.5 million project has commenced, with the set-up of temporary site office and smaller compound areas part of the early works, along with vegetation clearing and fencing and the installation of traffic barriers.

Of the latter, these works commenced 12 October and are scheduled to be complete by 30 October and are night works (7pm-7am excluding Friday and Saturday nights). Activities include the installation of the traffic barriers, line marking and removal of the centre median between Balaklava Road and East Street. Anyone with questions or who would like to speak to a member of the project team can call 1300 161 407, email [email protected] or visit www.pw2pa.com.au