Focussing on the man on the land

BORROWING the words of the late Queen Elizabeth II when describing 1992, the 40th year of her reign, Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor has also applied the expression ‘annus horribilis’ to 2025 when reflecting on the year for those on the land.

“It came with unbearable stress which was overwhelming for some which has left a deep chasm within our community,” Mayor Ross said.

And while the Mayor always has one eye on the critical agriculture sector in his local government area, he was also able to reflect on plenty of good news within the Naracoorte Lucindale district.

“The multi-million dollar investment at the hospital has been massive and will ensure the very best in surgical outcomes for our residents and people from further afield,” Mayor Ross said. “RB Sellars set up shop the first in South Australia right here in Naracoorte and I was recently speaking with one of the directors and they were ecstatic with its performance and their decision to bring the business here to the centre of the South East.

“Our library has become the go to place right in the heart of town and the numbers and diversity of clients which use this facility is a vindication of it being built a few short years ago, I’m incredibly please with the feedback I receive of the friendly and helpful service the visitors receive.”

The Visitor Information Centre within the National Trust Sheep’s Back Museum enjoyed a busy summer season, including one day with 52 tours booked.

Finally making a decision on the future of the Old Library was also top of Mayor Ross’ list of successful projects in the past 12 months.

“When I came to office the Old Library sat next to the council office unused for seven years,” he said. “There had been much talk and procrastination on what should be done, decisions stalled and finally the elected members decided it should go, and it has, and now we have a beautiful green lawn which improves the aesthetic of the precinct and will be use by street vendors to ply their trade, which is generally street food.”

So often the headline act when it comes to Naracoorte’s national profile, the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange is still the jewel in the district’s crowd.

“The biggest livestock selling centre in South Australia completed the transition to EiD,” Mayor Ross said. “Capability across all 10 drafts and sale for the YTD are tracking above average by number and value all great signs for this leading facility at the centre of the Limestone Coast.”

Mayor Ross was also cognisant of the role in the advocacy space that he has played and must continue to play.

“I’ve advocated very strongly for the State and Federal Governments to step up recognise and do something meaningful in the ‘drought ‘space,” he said. “It was very, very frustrating to hear the continual rhetoric being pushed out of the corridors of power, with nothing happening, and yes, many programs have been developed and delivered but this drought is ongoing for many, and the ramifications will be long lasting.

“I have found a lot of pleasure knowing that given a position with a little power you can get traction beyond the capability of those which are living the struggle at the time.”

And Mayor Ross will keep the sleeves rolled up as he looks to what 2026 holds for his district and the region more broadly.

“2026 will be extremely busy,” he said. “The LCLGA have developed a position paper for the upcoming State election, and we will be advocating strongly for a State Commissioner of Agriculture, an independent role which would ensure that the primary production sector has a voice that can be heard this along with greater flexibility in planning with red tape, and unlocking the housing supply issues, ensuring that the 27 Telstra towers are built as promised, ensure the community has a health sector which supports its need both now and into the future and our coastal communities are help following the massive storms which caused severe damage to foreshore and coastal assets.”

A potential new look budget is also a high priority for the Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor.

“We are reviewing our rating policy in the run to developing our next budget,” Mayor Ross said. “This will be an important budget as we to head towards the Local Government Election in November with the hope of developing good and sustainable projects from within our developed Master plans to ensure that Naracoorte Lucindale Council remains fiscally sustainable whilst also meeting the aspirations of the broader community.”