
Voters reward Pasin
By Chris Oldfield: THE member for Barker, Tony Pasin, is one of the few SA Liberals to have a seat in Canberra following last Saturday’s federal election. Mr Pasin campaigned throughout his 65,206sq km electorate by personally attending numerous local events and gatherings as well as via local newspapers and social media. The only other […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Call your councillor
By Chris Oldfield: CR Crash Downward has queried the impact of a 5 per cent rate rise on the district’s farmers already paying thousands of dollars each week to feed their livestock. Naracoorte Lucindale Council relies on the district’s farming families to fund around 60 per cent of its proposed $12.726m rate revenue. An average […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Suffering in silence
Farmers call for a hand up, not handouts By Nasik Swami: Pushed to their limits by an unrelenting drought that is taking the heaviest toll on their mental well-being, farmers across the district are expressing deep frustration. Many farmers have dismissed the government’s $55 million relief package as woefully inadequate, labelling it “a drop in […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

“Poppy Girls” heartfelt tribute
By Nasik Swami: If you haven’t had the chance to visit the poppy installation at Naracoorte Town Square, you’re truly missing a stunning display of craftsmanship. This powerful tribute, featuring around 1,500 hand-knitted poppies arranged on a five-by-five-metre net, was created by Naracoorte’s heartfelt group known as the “Poppy Girls” in honour of the courageous […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

“Poppy Girls” heartfelt tribute
By Nasik Swami: If you haven’t had the chance to visit the poppy installation at Naracoorte Town Square, you’re truly missing a stunning display of craftsmanship. This powerful tribute, featuring around 1,500 hand-knitted poppies arranged on a five-by-five-metre net,...

Community healthcare concerns
By Nasik Swami: The community has called for better access to specialist healthcare services and further development of local health infrastructure within the district. This was strongly voiced during the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) public consultation for the development of the clinical services plan, which wrapped up on February 28, 2025. The goal […]
McBride to face court
By Nasik Swami: INDEPENDENT member for MacKillop, Nick McBride, will face the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on May 7, next month, facing three counts of alleged aggravated assault charges. Mr McBride has been charged by police with three counts of alleged aggravated...
Changing of the Guard
By Chris Oldfield: From a little Ford truck to a multi-million-dollar fleet of Kenworths and high-tech earthwork equipment, Naracoorte’s Bull Bros Pty Ltd this year celebrates 75 years in business. Driving further enthusiasm and longevity into the esteemed company...

Three submissions only
By Nasik Swami: Is the community truly engaged in council matters? It is a tough question, but one might assume so. The Naracoorte Lucindale Council initiated its legislated review of the representation structure in October 2024. By November, it had given in-principle support to maintaining the existing setup of a mayor, 10 councillors, and no […]

SE Field Days success!
By Chris Oldfield: A city of tents with more than 500 exhibitors attracted swarms of people to the region’s largest annual event, the South East Field Days on March 21 and 22. After this, its 45th year, the action packed event has now pumped more than $3m into the local community and various public services. […]

Hard Talk: Top election issues
By Nasik Swami: Healthcare, infrastructure, the rising cost of living and government waste are among the key concerns impacting voters in regional towns like Naracoorte in the South East. Some political leaders believe that addressing these issues with strong, practical policies could significantly sway voters in the area. As the prime minister considers a date […]

Hard Talk, Town after Town
. Consistent failures in housing strategy. By Nasik Swami: Bureaucratic hurdles, red tape, market failures, declining investor confidence, and ineffective policies have all been cited as key factors behind the district’s ongoing housing crisis. In this edition of Hard Talk, The News explores the severe housing shortage affecting regional towns like Naracoorte, Penola, and Bordertown. […]

What’s our strategy?
By Nasik Swami: Future developments in the district must be thoughtfully planned with harmony, taste, and understanding, rather than solely focusing on “chasing rate dollars”. This was the key message from mayor Patrick Ross to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council as elected members began discussions on a crucial issue—the draft housing strategy—last week. The district’s draft […]

See you at the races!
The 2025 MiniJumbuk Naracoorte Cup will be held on Sunday 16 February, 2025. Naracoorte Racing Club/Photo: Adrian Gale – The Chapel Studio. The picture was taken during the 2024 Naracoorte Cup.

Smart revelation
By Chris Oldfield: THE Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration chooses whether or not briefing session items are confidential, it was revealed during council’s January 28 meeting. According to CEO Trevor Smart, the administration does not notify the public when public briefing sessions are being held, and just advises elected members. Including whether items are confidential. He […]

“Listen to the public”
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 […]

$361,550 playground for Leicester Park
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 […]

Longridge achieves five-star rating
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 […]

Sports funding
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? […]

Mining battle
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 […]

House raids, guns, and drugs
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. […]

Naracoorte man arrested, guns and drugs seized
Police arrested a 57-year-old Naracoorte man yesterday after finding firearms and drugs at an Avenue Range property in the South East. Following an investigation, South Australia Police (SAPOL) attended the property at 10.30am to conduct a search. “Police searched a shipping container, locating multiple firearms, ammunition, a pistol crossbow, and cannabis plant,” SAPOL said in […]

Naracoorte house raided, firearms discovered
By Nasik Swami: A 75-year-old Naracoorte man has been 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 Wednesday, January 7, this week where the address was […]

BE PART OF
THE COMMUNITY!
Help us continue to grow and improve by supporting our community. You can help us make an impact by sharing our content, becoming a sponsor or distributor, or donating to our causes.
Discover how to help us!