
Joyful celebration of love
The atmosphere was filled with warmth and excitement at Sunrise Christian School Naracoorte last Thursday, as students came together to honor their beloved grandparents. The school celebrated Grandparents Day under the heartfelt theme “Moments and Memories,” offering a beautiful glimpse into the bonds that span generations. Grandparents were warmly welcomed into classrooms where students had […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

$240m battery
By Chris Oldfield: A $240m Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is proposed for a site 3.5km west of Naracoorte by renewable company ACE Power. The project will be known as the Kincraig Battery and 60 people are expected to be employed during its construction phase, with two to four people required long term to maintain […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Burial fee debate
By Nasik Swami: A Naracoorte Lucindale councillor has voiced strong criticism over the council’s decision to keep $8,600 in its budget for post-meeting “meals and drinks” but reject a proposal to waive burial fees for children under the age of 10. Speaking to The News, councillor Craig McGuire expressed disappointment following the council’s recent May […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

50 new local jobs
By Nasik Swami: The reopening of Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel this December under new ownership is set to bring a much-needed boost to the local economy with the creation of 50 new jobs for the community. Development works on the multimillion-dollar, five-star accommodation are advancing, with the project’s completion anticipated to rejuvenate the local economy through […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

50 new local jobs
By Nasik Swami: The reopening of Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel this December under new ownership is set to bring a much-needed boost to the local economy with the creation of 50 new jobs for the community. Development works on the multimillion-dollar, five-star...

Mayor’s heartfelt appeal
By Nasik Swami: “This is an emergency”. That is the urgent message from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross, who has issued a heartfelt appeal to the government for immediate support for farmers grappling with severe drought in the area. Mr Ross emphasised that the widespread impact of the drought challenged the outdated belief that farmers […]
Hard Talk: Push for renal services at Naracoorte
Health burden too heavy: Community demands local dialysis unit. By Nasik Swami: Making more than a three-hour round trip to Mount Gambier Hospital and spending five hours on a dialysis chair each week is a tough routine for Ros Tregoweth. Living on a farm near...
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...

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 […]

“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 […]

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 […]

Report praises outdoor staff
By Chris Oldfield: AN independent roadworks report, which found the Naracoorte Lucindale Council only met four of 15 key performance indicators, also found the ire of outgoing CEO Trevor Smart. After winning a $68,000 tender from five other applicants with higher and lower quotes, Wheaton Enterprises—a highly qualified construction and civil engineering firm—praised the participation […]

100 years of love
By Nasik Swami: It’s uncommon to hear about someone reaching the incredible milestone of 100 years, let alone celebrating it. Naracoorte resident Mavis Evelyn, likely the oldest in the district, marked this remarkable occasion on February 22, last month, cherishing her century of life as a true “blessing.” Born in the Adelaide Hills on February […]

Crackdown on chop chop
Naracoorte business and home raided. By Nasik Swami: Is our usually quiet town turning into a hotspot for trading chop chop – illegal tobacco? Last week, South Australia Police (SAPOL) conducted searches at a home and business in Naracoorte, seizing around $1,000 worth of illicit tobacco. The home and business involved were not publicly identified. […]

Channy puts all her eggs in motherhood basket
By Paul Mitchell: Chantelle Weckert was born to be a mother—but being single and nearly 40 is an unconventional platform for such a life-changing leap. Fortunately, the popular Naracoorte preschool director was prepared for the possibility of becoming a sole parent if Mr Right failed to walk through the door. In January 2022, Chantelle decided […]

Alleged thief caught
Local businessman calls for greater police presence. By Nasik Swami: After enduring nearly $15,000 in losses from multiple break-ins and spending around $30,000 on security upgrades, a local businessman is finally feeling a sense of relief. Police have arrested and charged a suspect believed to be responsible for the break-ins at a block of shops […]

“High level” engagement
By Nasik Swami: Despite the absence of a survey evaluating the effectiveness of livestreaming Naracoorte Lucindale Council meetings, CEO Trevor Smart describes the initiative as a “high level” of community engagement. The council conducted its first livestream of an ordinary meeting on June 27, 2023, followed by its inaugural livestream of the Strategic Asset and […]

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 […]

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