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By Nasik Swami: An elected member of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council has criticised the council for disregarding public input gathered during consultation processes. Speaking exclusively to The News, Cr Craig McGuire claimed trust towards the elected body was “at an all-time low” with public consultation and feedback mostly ignored or dismissed if it did not fit the narrative of what parts of the elected council wanted to see. Stating it as his opinion, Cr McGuire said elected members seemed to rely on their own circle of people, rather than what had been provided formally back to the council. “I don’t have too many concerns with our public consultation policy or process. I can’t stress this enough. My actual concern is that the elected council doesn’t appear to want to listen to what the public tells us through our consultation processes,” he said. In simple terms, Cr McGuire said that the […]

By Chris Oldfield: NARACOORTE’S Leicester Park will soon boast a new $361,550 playground. Equipment will include a double bay swing, seesaw, neo spinner, play hut, skateboard rocker, joey trampoline, slide, and even a pretend eco charger. This follows consultation with Naracoorte South Primary School’s Reception and Years 1-2 students by Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. The matter was raised at the council’s January 28 meeting. Director infrastructure and services, Daniel Willsmore, said the council was due to replace playground equipment in Leicester Park during 2025-26 under the endorsed 2025-35 Open Space Asset Management Plan.  During the debate elected members learned the $250,000 expenditure at Market Square’s Tier 1 playground replaced 22-year-old equipment. Leicester Park, ranked as a Tier 3 playground, had 16-year-old equipment. Mr Willsmore explained metropolitan councils renewed equipment every 15 years, but they had a higher usage. The $361,550 price tag allowed for cost increases of equipment which Mr […]

Longridge Aged Care has received an outstanding five-star rating from the National Aged Care Quality Standards, a significant achievement that reflects its commitment to providing exceptional care and support to its residents. The rating, updated in November 2024, measured the organisation’s performance against four sub categories – compliance, quality measures, residents experience and staffing. The rating, awarded by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, recognised Longridge Aged Care’s dedication to delivering high-quality services, modern facilities, and a nurturing environment tailored to the needs of the elderly. The evaluation process included comprehensive assessments in areas such as care delivery, lifestyle and choice, health and wellbeing, and governance. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition,” said Ravi Aulukh, the chief executive officer of the aged care facility. “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that our residents feel valued, respected, and supported every day. “This rating is a testament to their […]

By Nasik Swami: Sporting clubs and community groups in the South East play a vital role in fostering social connections and promoting an active lifestyle. They serve as a cornerstone for bringing people together and strengthening local communities. Are government efforts sufficient to support these local clubs in towns such as Naracoorte, Penola, and Bordertown? Are enough resources being allocated to ensure the long-term sustainability of sports in the region? Last week, State Minister for Recreation, Sport, and Racing, Katrine Hildyard, toured several towns in the South East. During her visit, she engaged with local sporting groups and clubs, listening to their concerns and assessing their needs. Ms Hildyard also had a meeting with the Naracoorte Lucindale Council at the Naracoorte Swimming Lake to discuss the council’s master plan. The News questioned Minister Katrine Hildyard about the government’s plans to ensure local clubs were not overlooked in the development and […]

By Nasik Swami: Proposed mining for rare earths elements in the Limestone Coast is facing opposition from local producers and residents. Many sections of the community are concerned about how mining would impact production in one of the state’s key agricultural regions. It’s a battle between protecting the Limestone Coast’s high-value agricultural resource, finite water assets, and rich cultural heritage and the federal government’s plan to develop critical mineral industries as part of the Future Made in Australia policy announced in this year’s budget. A coalition of regional agricultural and business leaders called The Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association (LCSF) has been formed to inform the community about the invasive nature of rare earth strip mining, which it believes would threaten the economic viability of the food and fibre sector and jeopardise biodiverse value, including underground water resources, and has called on the state government to intervene and halt all […]

By Nasik Swami: Two major house raids were carried out by the South Australia Police (SAPOL) in the district in the last two weeks, where multiple firearms, ammunition, a pistol crossbow, and a cannabis plant were discovered. In the first raid, a 75-year-old Naracoorte man was arrested and charged with a number of firearm offences. The News can confirm that the South Australia Police (SAPOL), with the assistance from Victoria Police (VICPOL) and Army representatives, were called to a property in Naracoorte on January 7 where the address was searched. A SAPOL spokesperson told this newspaper that the search located a number of firearms.  In a second raid at an Avenue Range property, a 57-year-old Naracoorte man was arrested by police following the discovery of firearms and drugs on January 13. Following an investigation, SAPOL attended the property to conduct a search. “Police searched a shipping container, locating multiple firearms, […]