Naracoorte, May 02, 2026

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500 new homes for regional SA

Three years after the Malinauskas Labor government established Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing, more than 500 new housing outcomes are in the pipeline, with plenty more to come.

Since being established in 2023 to boost the supply of quality and affordable homes in regional South Australia, the team has driven more than 500 housing outcomes through a mix of direct construction, partnerships and incentives for private developers.

The Office for Regional Housing has now outlined the strategy guiding its next phase – combining innovative approaches to stimulate private-sector housing growth with direct construction programs delivering immediate results.

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Back-to-school help lifts Limestone Coast students

More than 500 Limestone Coast students have started the 2026 school year with greater confidence and dignity, thanks to the Stand Like Stone Foundation’s Back-to-School program. The program was delivered entirely through local community support.

This term, 530 back-to-school vouchers, valued at $26,500, were distributed to 34 public primary and area schools across the region, helping families meet the cost of essential school items, including uniforms, shoes, school bags and stationery.

Foundation chair Georgie McKay said the program was one of the foundation’s impactful initiatives supporting families across the region.

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Your Say: Patrick’s leadership

I am writing in response to Craig McGuire’s comments printed in The News on April 1, which could be seen as an April Fools Day joke.

First, I would like to say that after being on council for 33 years, we currently have the best mayor Patrick Ross and the best council that I’ve ever been elected to.

Under Patrick’s leadership we currently have a good administration and a good outdoor staff.

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Volunteers sought for annual Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo count

The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Recovery Team, in partnership with BirdLife Australia, is calling for volunteers to take part in the 30th annual count of the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo on 2 May 2026.

Recent reports of increased bird sightings across parts of the species’ range have provided a welcome boost leading into this year’s count. It is hoped through coordinated monitoring that these early observations translate into a better understanding of population trends and breeding success.

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Bigger livestock trucks need access to farms

LIVESTOCK SA has welcomed recent freight efficiency reforms as a positive step for the livestock industry, but says the real test will be whether changes are backed by meaningful investment in regional road infrastructure.

Livestock SA chair Gillian Fennell said the reforms respond to a genuine pressure point facing producers.

“This is a practical response to a real problem. The fuel situation and freight costs are biting hard in agriculture, and anything that improves freight efficiency matters right now.

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Virgo demands fair share

New MacKillop MP Jason Virgo used his first formal meeting with Naracoorte Lucindale Council to make a blunt case for more state support, arguing the district’s economic output was not matched by infrastructure, health, and service investment.

Mr Virgo met with mayor Patrick Ross and CEO Kelly Westell last week, with the discussion centered on the region’s case for a bigger return from government.

The district’s economy is substantial by regional standards, with a gross regional product of $655 million and 4,815 employed residents.

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New pathway at Pinks Beach

The Kingston District Council has commenced works on its 2025 2026 footpath program with construction of a new pathway on Pinks Beach Road.

The new pathway is an extension of the existing Marine Parade pathway down to the Pinks Beach Road public toilets.

This new two metre wide pathway will improve connectivity with the toilet block and also access to the beach for pedestrians and bike riders.

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Naracoorte’s rising star

Naracoorte’s rising star

Leadership, determination, and the courage to step outside one’s comfort zone propelled Jack Barker to a major regional honour.

The 17-year-old Naracoorte High School Year 12 student and 2026 school captain has been named the Upper South East Lions Youth of the Year, a recognition that celebrates academic excellence, leadership, and public speaking ability among young people.

For Jack, the moment his name was announced was both emotional and deeply rewarding.

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Paid like kings

“INTERESTED parties” and “affected persons” have until April 20 to make a submission to a statewide review of minimum and maximum salaries of council CEOs.

Each council has a register of salaries listed on its website, which includes any additional benefits like cars, phones, iPads, and income insurance.

Salaries of SE council CEOs range from the lowest paid, $178,531 plus benefits at Kingston District Council, to the highest, $250,505 with similar extras at Wattle Range.

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Award winning journalist and author to speak at festival brunch

The Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival committee are excited to announce that the guest author at the 2026 Literary Brunch in May will be Indira Naidoo award winning journalist and author.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Indira Naidoo to Coonawarra on Sunday 17 of May to speak at our Literary Brunch at Ottelia Wines in Coonawarra,” said Rachell Cheyne, festival committee member.

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Young drivers program

AN Austdrive young driver program will take place this weekend at the Naracoorte saleyards and on Carters Road which will be partially closed.

The program designed for 16 to 28-year-olds will run between 8.30am and 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

The program features real-life skills like safe steering when wildlife are on roads, understanding speed, fatigue, alcohol and peer pressure, overtaking safely, emergency braking, collision avoidance, and hazard perception to improve safety for learners and P-platers.

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