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An ever-popular drawcard for locals and visitors alike, the iconic Naracoorte Swimming Lake will open to the public for the summer season on Monday 25 November, 2024. According to the council, staff have cleaned the floor of the lake, painted the walls and were on track to paint part of the lake floor and walkway/concourse around the lake prior to the opening. Council said a review of the budget allocation would be undertaken to determine if additional parts of the lake floor could be painted at the end of the season, subject to suitable weather conditions.

By Nasik Swami: A new local bakery set to open its doors to the public next month will bring about 15 new job opportunities in various roles to Naracoorte. Craig’s Bakehouse & Café located on Smith Street opens on December 11, 2024. Proprietor Craig McCallum bought the business from the owners of the former Morris Bakery after it went into administration last February and was subsequently put on the market.  In an interview with this newspaper, Craig said the café was not just another business but a reflection of Naracoorte’s community spirit. “We’re thrilled to be adding around 15 new jobs to Naracoorte, from bakers and kitchen staff to customer service roles. It’s about providing steady employment while also contributing to the local economy and fostering skills that support the region’s unique food culture,” Craig said. He said the business venture was a new chapter of local employment, tourism growth, […]

Shadow Minister: Our country students deserve a strong focus from the government on bringing their schools up to modern standards. By Nasik Swami: The state government has announced a record $42.7million funding for more than 80 public schools across the state to fix roofs, reseal bitumen, build fences, and upgrade ageing infrastructure. But how much of this funding would actually trickle down to assist our public schools with infrastructure upgrades? Actually, no public schools in Naracoorte, Lucindale, Penola, Padthaway, and Frances are beneficiaries of this record funding this time. The News asked the education minister to provide a breakdown of the funding and how much would be given to our public schools for infrastructure upgrades. In response, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said the targeted maintenance program does include a couple of projects in our area (mid-South East). “Bordertown High School is among eight sites having upgrades to […]

By Nasik Swami: Naracoorte will soon boast a hotel with five-star accommodation. Dean Group, a family-owned and operated South Australian group – consisting of the Largs Pier Hotel, Walkers Arms Hotel, Macs Hotel, Peninsula Hotel Motel, and London Tavern – have taken ownership of Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel on Smith Street as of October 21, 2024. The multimillion-dollar investment will serve the local region and help the annual 90,000 visitors or so to the Naracoorte Caves, attracting them into the country town to stay, see, and do other things. The new owners of Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel will maintain its name and draw on the history and heritage of the local area. The News can confirm that the acquisition and the group’s plan to extensively renovate the venue will make the project a significant multimillion-dollar investment for the group and the local region. “The Dean Group of Hotels plans to renew the […]

By Nasik Swami: Kybybolite Football Club’s Noel Black is South Australia’s Community Sports Photographer of the Year. Black, commonly known as Blackie, was bestowed with the award at the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Community Volunteers Awards on October 11, 2024, in the William Magarey Room at Adelaide Oval, with more than 300 attendees. The prestigious annual event recognises the thousands of volunteers who go above and beyond with their contribution to football. Speaking to The News, Blackie said the recognition of his photography was a surprise, as it was something he never chased or aimed for. “It is something that I genuinely love to do, and there are some really good sport photographers in the Limestone Coast,” he said.  “So, to be nominated and then to win was a thrill, but certainly doesn’t put me above any of the other wonderful sports photographers around our terrific part of […]

By Nasik Swami: A local businessman is calling for more police presence in the town, particularly at night.  Multicultural grocery store BWD Trading on McRae Street was broken into last Friday night—twice in two months, sustaining alleged losses and damage of about $30,000.  Speaking to this newspaper, owner Didar Ali said, “this is very bad, and now it (the town) is not safe”.  “Thanks to the Naracoorte community, I have operated my business for 15 years, and nothing has happened. Now, it’s not a safe place,” a distraught, upset, and broken Mr Ali shared.  He alleged the growing crime rate targeting businesses was not good and he would consider closing down his shop if more of it continued to happen.  The South Australia Police confirmed the incident.  “About 4.25am today (18/10/24), a suspect has broken into a business in McRae Street and stolen cash and cigarettes,” a SAPOL spokesperson said.  […]

By Chris Oldfield: THE low-level classification of a road servicing traffic between Bordertown, Lucindale and Kingston will be compared with similar roads by Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. This follows Cr Peter Ireland’s call for the classification of several roads, including Dickensons Rd, to be reviewed and upgraded in the council’s Road and Stormwater Infrastructure Management Plan. The plan includes a road hierarchy, and the matter was raised at the council’s September 10 Strategic Asset and Planning (SAP) meeting. Stretching 4km, Dickensons Rd links the Riddoch Hwy at one end to Grubbed Rd. Morambro La, Ricketts La, Ortons Rd and McLeans Rd all run parallel to it. Dickensons Rd is currently classified Access Rural, meaning it caters for 50-60km/h speeds, services fewer than 20 properties, carries fewer than 20 vehicles per day and needs to be graded at least once a year. Cr Ireland asked for Dickensons Rd to be upgraded […]

The Aurora Australis makes a stunning return to southern Australian skies. The dazzling Aurora Australis display was visible over Naracoorte between 3-5.30am on October 11th. This photo was taken at 5.40am with the town lights of Naracoorte. Photo credit: Vanessa Hobbs.

By Nasik Swami: An award-winning local policeman says the district needs to come together to “break the cycle” of domestic violence that exists in our community. Naracoorte’s Senior Constable, Chris Mailley, who works in supporting domestic and family violence victims, says, “just one incident is too many”. “Unfortunately, domestic violence is part of society, and we can only do what we can to break that cycle, intervene, and help people,” Senior Constable Mailley said. He said the perpetrators and victims of domestic violence were “absolutely everyone” and more complex than categorising who is the perpetrator and who is the victim. “We have elderly people who have come about as a result of suffering from dementia, we get mental health and community issues, substance misuse, and so many influential factors such as finance that result in people having arguments here,” Senior Constable Mailley said. As an example, he shared a case […]

By Nasik Swami: The Lucindale Karting Club is ready to host the biggest dirt karting weekend of the year. The Hallett Concrete 2024 Australian Dirt Kart Titles will be held at the Lucindale Karting Club between October 4-7. Speaking to The News, Lucindale Club members and racers Josh and Louis Bull have called for public support for the big event that’s happening locally. Josh is the current A2 (that’s Australia No 2) in the 200cc class (the biggest horsepower, premier class), while Louis is the current S2 (that’s South Australia No 2) in the same 200cc class.  “Come out and support us over the three-day event (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday),” Josh, who has been racing for 15 years, said. “It’s a fantastic chance to witness some of the best in dirt kart racing battle for the top spot.”  Josh said preparations for the event were going well. “We’ve spent countless […]

By Chris Oldfield: Around 82,500 cattle and 480,000 sheep grossed $149.9 million last financial year at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange, South Australia’s largest saleyard facility. Currently valued at more than $13.3 million by Naracoorte Lucindale Council it is also considered one of Australia’s premier saleyards, helping to underpin Naracoorte’s economy. For almost 51 years the NRLE has created ongoing employment for stock agents, truck drivers, meat buyers, PIRSA agents, EPA officers, farm workers, canteen staff, council workers, fuel companies and the nearby Teys abattoirs which employs more than 500 people. While the Naracoorte Lucindale Council owns the asset, it is mostly funded by farming families. NRLE operations Last financial year 84 percent of more than $1.8 million was raised from farmers via yard fees. A truck wash pumped in another 13 percent, and paddocking fees – 3 percent. The facility returned an operating surplus of $902,297.20 for the council. […]