
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. […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

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 […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

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. To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

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 […] To access this post, you must purchase MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, THE LAST ISSUE or ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Fringe reviews 2025
The 27 Club: Thursday 6th March 2025 (Rymill Park, The Fantail). Presented By: Amplified House. The dreaded age of 27 in rock’n’roll. This show revitalises the legendary acts that synonymously passed away at the same age. Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Amy...

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...
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...

Smart revelation
By Chris Oldfield: THE Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration chooses whether or not briefing session items are confidential, it was revealed...

“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 […]

Lucky escape
By Nasik Swami: It was a lucky escape for a truck driver in Frances, outside of Naracoorte. This after the truck he was driving, loaded with hay, caught fire on July 25. According to the Country Fire Service (CFS) 17 firefighters on four CFS trucks had to attend the tray-top truck fire. “The truck was […]

Leadership woes
By Chris Oldfield: SA LIBERAL leader David Speirs has cancelled plans to return to Scotland for another family wedding. But speculation continues as the State Government urges a leadership challenge. In a statement issued at deadline for press last week, a spokesperson for the Leader of the Opposition said the Liberal Party was “incredibly united” […]

Inquiry into local councils
By Nasik Swami: A Federal Government inquiry has been launched into the sustainability of our local councils. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure, and Transport’s (the RDIT Committee) is at the forefront of the inquiry. The RDIT Committee will inquire into and report on local government matters, with a particular focus […]

Community transport
By Nasik Swami: The need for public transportation services in Naracoorte and other surrounding towns is increasing. Many people who do not have access to their own vehicles and prefer public transportation to travel and connect to the high value markets of the South East, Adelaide, and Victoria are finding it difficult. Unfortunately, for a […]

War of words
By Nasik Swami: A war of words has broken out between Health Minister Chris Picton and Member of Barker Tony Pasin over the release of a feasibility study on delivering radiation treatment services for the region. Mr Pasin claimed the local health bureaucracy, the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN), has “snubbed” the release of […]

Lessons on basket weaving…
To celebrate NAIDOC Week last week, Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s Arts & Cultural Facilitator and Naracoorte Library + Town Hall held a number of activities. About 14 people participated in basket weaving & Nunga Screen. Many more engaged in NAIDOC Week colouring and the Indigenous exhibition on display at the Wonambi Gallery. Pic: NLC Facebook page.

Chicken, egg supply normal
By Nasik Swami: The avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks have caused some gaps on supermarket shelves, prompting temporary buying limits. Naracoorte’s two main supermarkets, Woolworths and Foodland, have so far escaped from this, with their suppliers in South Australia not being affected. The supermarkets have confirmed their supply of chicken and eggs to customers remain […]

Sky News withdrawal: South East ‘deserves better’
South East free-to-air TV viewers suddenly deprived of Sky News Regional – as of last week – “deserve better”, a state MP says. People across the South-East and the state’s Riverland – plus sections of NSW – lost access to Sky News Regional on Monday 1 July after Sky’s affiliation agreement with WIN Television ended. […]

Ready for pole dancing?
Naracoorte’s new pole dancing studio to open soon By Nasik Swami: Naracoorte’s Stacey Windsor is on a mission to change mindsets on pole dancing and promote the popular artform in town. Also known as Dee-Dee, Stacey is opening a new pole dancing studio in Naracoorte, giving the young and the old the opportunity to learn […]

Eat or heat
By Nasik Swami: The vulnerable in the district are choosing between heating and eating this winter. If they turn on heating to keep themselves warm during the chilly nights, many say they will be faced with eye-watering power bills. So, what does the public do? The News asked our decision makers to explain why we […]

New budget, big plans
By Nasik Swami: The Naracoorte Lucindale Council has adopted its 2024–2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget, with a strong focus on the road network and Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange (NRLE). According to the council, the plan and budget that were adopted at the council’s June meeting also focus on keeping rates as reasonable as possible […]

Longridge help?
By Nasik Swami What’s the future of our community-owned aged care facility, Longridge Aged Care (LAC)? LAC is facing financial pressures due to the increased cost of business and is struggling to retain a stable workforce. While it has not considered exiting the market at this point, LAC has written to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council […]

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