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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 […]

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 […]