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” under his leadership. The comments came in the wake of claims Mr Speirs had issued an ultimatum to his colleagues, urging them to mount a challenge to his leadership. Mr Speirs had returned to Scotland for a cousin’s wedding when the State Budget was released, and was hoping to return for another family wedding soon.  But that meant possibly missing the first week of Parliament on top of missing the release of the Budget.  As a result, disgruntled Liberals had leaked to several media outlets, including The News. Labor then seized on comments Mr Speirs […]

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 growing town like Naracoorte, we do not have public transportation to service the area and help people connect to their destinations. In Naracoorte, we have a private company that provides coach services (not daily) to Adelaide at a cost of $78.60 one way. The cost of travelling from Naracoorte to Bordertown is $23.90 one way, and to Mt Gambier, it is $29.30. Apart from this, commuters have to travel to Bordertown or Mount Gambier for their other connections. Also, many travellers have to find their own way to Naracoorte after getting off in Mount Gambier […]

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 on: The financial sustainability and funding of local government. The changing infrastructure and service delivery obligations of local government. Any structural impediments to security for local government workers and infrastructure and service delivery. Trends in the attraction and retention of a skilled workforce in the local government sector, including impacts of labour hire practices. The role of the Australian Government in addressing issues raised in relation to the above. Speaking to The News, Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross welcomed the inquiry, calling it timely and a great move to address the challenges faced by the […]

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 the report, hiding it from the public and the volunteers of the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Group. He claimed the feasibility study report was being withheld from the group—the very people who have been the driving force behind the government’s commitment to undertake the study. However, the Health Minister says, “Tony Pasin certainly has a short memory”. “The Member for Barker must have forgotten he was part of the former Federal Liberal Government that rejected a proposal to establish radiation therapy in the Limestone Coast in May 2021,” Mr Picton said while responding to […]

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 due to the current economic climate. For this financial year, the Council endorsed a 5 percent increase in general rate revenue of $12.25 million, with operational expenditure of $21m – an increase of $1.4m from 2023–2024. “Of the total rateable properties in the Council area, 54.23 percent will experience a rate increase of between 0-5%, and 7.59% will receive a rate decrease,” the council stated. The total capital spend in the 2024–2025 budget is $10.5m, with $6.8m allocated to road and stormwater infrastructure upgrades and $2.5m allocated to NRLE infrastructure upgrades. The council’s patrol grading […]

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 have one of the highest electricity prices in the world and what is being done to give regional South Australians some relief. Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross says the new electricity cuts announced by the state government which equates to $63 for average households and around $512 for small businesses “does not go very far on a winter heating bill”. Mr Ross said he has been wading his way through the Australian Local Government Conference motions for next week, and one of the large areas of concern for local governments throughout South Australia is energy […]

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 to come to its rescue so it can continue to provide the best care for its residents. In a letter to the council, sighted by this newspaper, LAC chief executive officer Ravi Aulukh said the council should be working hand in glove to support the community-owned aged care provider. Mr Aulukh pointed out to the council KPMG’s 2023 Aged Care Market Analysis, which reflects on what’s being experienced by LAC. According to data released from the first quarterly financial report (September 2022 quarter), LAC was advised that: Financial pressure is still an issue across the […]

SA Health calls on those eligible to vaccinate now! By Nasik Swami SA Health is calling on the public to vaccinate themselves to protect against mpox. SA Health has been notified of three locally acquired cases of mpox (formerly called monkeypox) in a man in his 20s, a man in his 30s and a man in his 50s. Mpox is a viral infection that usually results in a mild illness. According to SA Health, most people recover within a few weeks, however, some people may develop severe illnesses and require hospitalisation. Vaccination reduces the risk of transmission and the severity of the disease, with two doses required for optimal protection. Deputy Director of the Communicable Disease Control Branch, Dr Louise Flood, has encouraged anyone who is eligible to get their vaccination now. “The risk to the public is low. Mpox is not easily transmitted from person to person without prolonged […]

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...

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...

SA Health calls on those eligible to vaccinate now! By Nasik Swami SA Health is calling on the public to vaccinate themselves to protect against mpox. SA Health has been notified of three locally acquired cases of mpox (formerly called monkeypox) in a man in his 20s,...

By Nasik Swami
There is a need for a centralised car park in Naracoorte to make the town centre more vibrant, or risk losing services and businesses as they close.
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