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 housing strategy – authored by CEO Trevor Smart and manager planning Paul McRostie – was presented to the council in November last year. A workshop was planned to allow elected members to contribute insights and help shape future priorities. Mr Ross emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach, stating, “the key to any strategy, including housing and future development, is to consider the short-term, medium-term, and most importantly, the long-term perspective.” He highlighted the importance of looking 50 years ahead. “We have gathered a wealth of data, but a strategy needs to emerge from it […]

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.

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 said the public was only notified after the meetings were held. Subsequently, last Tuesday, February 4, The News advised Mr Smart the housing strategy briefing session was not on the council’s website, and asked Mr Smart if it was public, and what time it started. Mr Smart replied – it was open to the public and started at 6pm. But the notice did not appear on the council’s website until after the meeting was held. At the council’s January meeting, the Mayor Patrick Ross explained all briefing sessions were open and public meetings unless they […]

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 fit the narrative of what parts of the elected council wanted to see. Stating it as his opinion, Cr McGuire said elected members seemed to rely on their own circle of people, rather than what had been provided formally back to the council. “I don’t have too many concerns with our public consultation policy or process. I can’t stress this enough. My actual concern is that the elected council doesn’t appear to want to listen to what the public tells us through our consultation processes,” he said. In simple terms, Cr McGuire said that the […]

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. 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 January 7 where the address was searched. A SAPOL spokesperson told this newspaper that the search located a number of firearms.  In a second raid at an Avenue Range property, a 57-year-old Naracoorte man was arrested by police following the discovery of firearms and drugs on January 13. Following an investigation, SAPOL attended the property to conduct a search. “Police searched a shipping container, locating multiple firearms, […]