Tough start to 2022

I sympathise with all who have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic, whether you have contracted the virus, had to isolate as a close contact, lost work because of a shut down, are trying to run a business impacted by workforce shortages and restrictions, are a very busy and tired health worker or who have had difficulties accessing a test or vaccine. Cases are now being reported throughout every council area in the State, our local government areas included, and it has been a tough start to the year for so many.

At time of writing, there remains uncertainty about the school year and how it will commence. The goal is to have face to face learning for all students, but it is an evolving situation, and I can only advise to stay tuned. I can report that I have supported a call for Parliament to sit in February in order for appropriate (and vital) oversight of the management of the ongoing crisis by all MPs to occur.

In some good news,  the Narungga electorate has done well in the last three weeks with grant funding allocations which I am very pleased about.

First came the announcement on 23 December that two local councils, Barunga West and Yorke Peninsula, are to receive a combined total of $569,757.44 from the $1.709m latest round of allocations from the Recreational Fishing, Boating and Camping Facilities Grant Fund. That’s an estimated third of the total fund for our patch - $200,000 for a new pontoon-based jetty at Port Broughton; $29,770 for an upgrade of the Point Turton Groyne and $139,987.44 for new camp toilet facilities at various locations on Yorke Peninsula.

On 5 January, the Regional Coastal Protection Grants were announced and Narungga electorate was allocated $388,000 of the allocated $1.2 million in the latest round, all for local projects that address erosion risks and are vital to protect our precious coastlines.

Successful projects include $55,000 to design defence structures, $20,000 to review hazards at Foul Bay, $208,000 for Moonta Bay foreshore rock armouring, $30,000 for protection works at Port Broughton and $75,000 for fencing at Thompson Beach.

Then on 9 January, recipients of 2021-22 Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing Infrastructure grants funding were announced, with five clubs successful: $50,000 to assist construct a clubhouse for the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Moonta) Inc.; $26,000 to upgrade irrigation at Maitland Golf course; and funding to resurface multi-use courts at Alford Tennis Club ($21,900), Bute Sporting Club ($56,000), and Port Broughton Combined Sporting Club ($38,800).

Congratulations to all involved in these deserving projects, and for all you do in improving and maintaining facilities in rural townships.