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By Nasik Swami: The Naracoorte Lucindale Council says it continues to lobby the State Government (Minister and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions) for improved funding outcomes relating to the mandated implementation of sheep eID at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange. In a written report to the council—which was expected to be discussed during the council’s meeting last night, November 26—CEO Trevor Smart said he and the Director Infrastructure and Services would be meeting again with the CEO of PIRSA before the end of November to further present the council’s case. “Regardless of positive or negative funding outcomes from these ongoing discussions – the state government appears intent on an implementation date of 1 July 2025, and this date is now proving to be an impossible target,” Mr Smart said. He said the questions have been repeatedly asked of PIRSA and the minister of what would happen if the […]

By Nasik Swami: “I think of families that bore the brunt of war.” This was shared by Australian ex-service personnel Rian Hamilton during the Remembrance Day event at Naracoorte Town Square last week. Speaking at the event, Rian acknowledged and honored the families of service personnel who put their lives on the line for peace and freedom. “Most of us that served did it because of what was behind us—our families,” Rian shared. “I think of those who came before us and those who serve currently to take up arms to provide the freedom and peace that we enjoy today,” he said. He remembered those whose names have been forever engraved in memorials across Australia. “Their lives cut short in order to provide for the shocking cost of war. “I think of those that currently serve, especially those deployed, or they are in ready combat or ready battle groups that […]

By Nasik Swami: Two salaried doctors in the region, employed by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, are paid yearly salaries of around $700,000 each. But why, Independent Member for MacKillop Nick McBride questioned Health Minister Chris Picton in the House of Assembly last month. Mr McBride quizzed the minister about what these roles were that were paying that amount and where they were based. He quoted figures from the Limestone Coast Local Health Network in the 2023/24 report of the Auditor-General. Through his question, Mr McBride said the two staff members were being paid between $686,000 and $726,000 per annum, and four other staff were being paid between $446,000 and $486,000. “Can the minister explain what these roles are that are paying that amount and where are they based?” he questioned. In his response, Mr Picton defended his department’s decision to employ the two salaried doctors, saying there were […]

By Chris Oldfield: A land division involving 12 new residential allotments, two roads and a residual space has been granted at Lot 1002 Premier Drive, Naracoorte. With a capacity to create around 55 new blocks, 644 metres of roads and a 450m2 reserve across 6.025 ha or 14.88 acres, the development took six months to get approved. Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart said the subdivision approval involved the area off Premier Dr, Playford Dr and Cadgee Rd. “The approval was definitely not for any area within the North Parklands,” Mr Smart said. According to Planning SA, the development was lodged for assessment on April 24, 2024, and approved on October 18. It was lodged by Stefan Nestorovic, c/- Cameron Lock Surveying, Mount Gambier. Consent was granted by the Northern Limestone Coast Regional Assessment Panel based at 1 DeGaris Pl, Naracoorte, SA – council’s administration building. A map of the […]

By Nasik Swami: Payroll tax on GPs, increasing costs for GP visits, and a complicated Medicare scheme—is our health system failing our communities and the most vulnerable? Are the increasing healthcare costs becoming a deterrent for people in our district to visit a GP/doctor and seek treatment when our public hospitals are already overcrowded? Who should be held accountable for the burden of the extra healthcare costs people in country towns are facing? The Royal Australian College of GPs and the Australian Medical Association have warned the payroll tax would force clinics to pass on the cost to patients, end bulk billing, or shut down completely. In this edition of Hard Talk, The News digs deep into the much talked about GP payroll tax, the increasing cost of seeing a GP in country towns like Naracoorte, and a review of our Medicare system. We asked the SA Health Minister Chris […]

By Chris Oldfield: A highly skilled team of four specialist rural doctors with qualifications and experience in obstetrics are working together, continuing to deliver babies at the Naracoorte Hospital. They include Dr Kim Trueman, Dr Clare Garner, Dr David Mills and Dr Ron Wallingford. The good news for obstetrics was released in statements by the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) as well as the Naracoorte General Practice and Kincraig Medical Clinic. “Naracoorte Health Service’s maternity and obstetric services have had no interruption to service and is well staffed by obstetricians, gynaecologists, midwives, nurses and clinicians,” LCLHN director medical services Dr Abhary said.  “All our midwives and GP obstetricians have training specifically designed to manage different types of births. “We had 150 babies safely born at the hospital in the 2023- 2024 financial year and look forward to continuing our care for all local mothers before, during and after childbirth.” […]

Council serves notice on the property for the Frances Hotel. By Nasik Swami: The Naracoorte Lucindale Council served a notice on the property for the Frances Hotel after their inspection found some structural failures that had the potential to cause the roof to collapse. Council chief executive officer, Trevor Smart, confirmed to The News that the notice was served in March 2024. Mr Smart said the structural failures posed a significant risk to the public and occupiers of the hotel. “Council served notice on the property (Frances Hotel) in March 2024 after being contacted by the lessee with some concerns about structural issues to the ceiling and roof space,” he confirmed. “We inspected the site, and it appears that there were some structural failures that have the potential to cause the roof to collapse and, accordingly, pose a significant risk to the public and occupiers of the hotel.” Mr Smart […]

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 […]