Local MPs have their say on financial blueprint

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell and Member for MacKillop Nick McBride have given a thumbs up to the South Australian Government’s recently released budget but both believe there is more to be done and will continue to lobby for key projects and services in the region.

The State Government has allocated relief to households through an additional cost of living concession payment of $243.90 for those eligible. Families with children at Government schools will also get a $200 reduction in fees through the materials and services subsidy.

Access to two $100 sports vouchers, doubling from last year)– will help parents with the costs associated with participating in sport with music lessons now added to the popular scheme.

“Cost of living relief was an important theme of this year’s budget with some welcome relief for families coming in the form of school sports vouchers, now with the inclusion of music, and $200 reduction for school materials and services,” Mr Bell said.

“I really want to see increased focus on Education and public schools in our region so the allocation of $6 million for Mount Gambier High School was an important first step towards upgrading all our local schools’ facilities to meet modern standards.”

The Member for Mount Gambier also conceded it was a game of wait-and-see with some of the general allocations to health and infrastructure but he would not sit back but rather campaign for the region receiving its fair share of the funding pie.

“While announcements were made for increased funding for health and roads, it is too early to tell if we will benefit from those dollars here in the South East,” Mr Bell said. “Both are statewide issues, and I will certainly be pushing for our region to receive its fair share of these much-needed investments.”

Mr Bell also wanted to shine a light on some of the delivered projects the region was now seeing come to fruition as government promises become bricks and mortar facilities.

“I am really focused now on the next 18 months and the exciting projects currently underway or about to commence,” Mr Bell said. “These include the Mount Gambier Hospital upgrade, the ambulance station expansion, six new key worker homes, the new technical college, and upgrades to Yahl Primary School and TAFE.

“These six projects alone total over $70 million in investment in our region, which represents a significant boot to our community’s infrastructure and development. I will continue to work with the State Government to ensure the best outcomes for our community as these projects progress.”

The Member for Mackillop was also pleased with the aspects of the budget that looked to tackles cost of living pressures.

“I am pleased that the budget is addressing the high cost of goods and services,” Mr McBride said. “There is no doubt that singles and families are hurting, as prices at the checkout – and bowser, go up and up – even more so in regional areas.

“Assistance with school charges and doubling the number of sports vouchers is a positive step forward. I know these costs – particularly at the beginning of a school year, can put added financial pressures on families. Also, not every child plays sport, including music lessons in the vouchers will broaden the appeal for students.”

Given the housing challenges in the Mackillop electorate, Mr McBride also welcomed the $30million boost over three years for housing across regional South Australia.

“As we know, in MacKillop, there is a housing shortage,” he said. “There is also a lack of available land to develop, and there can be difficulties in rezoning and clearing certain parcels. I hope this investment will help local councils and communities unlock development opportunities so that regional towns can continue to grow.”

The town of Naracoorte will receive a new police station with $18million over four years to be invested in constructing a new purpose-built police station in Naracoorte.

“This is really exciting news for my community,” Mr McBride said. “The Naracoorte police station is old and not fit for purpose. A new station will give the community the confidence that policing is not being centralised to Mount Gambier. This investment will help people feel safer and assist in expanding the police presence across the entire electorate.”

There will be more than $800,000 spent on conducting an audit of CFS facilities.

“As we know, there are some woeful CFS facilities in my electorate, with some not having changerooms or running water,” Mr McBride said. “There are also some that can’t fit their appliance in their shed. I hope this audit will help develop plans for improved facilities for what is a vital service for the region.”

The State and Federal Governments will invest $13.7 million over three years to improve waterbird habitat at the Lake Hawdon North wetland site, near Robe.

“It’s imperative that this funding doesn’t interfere with the agricultural pursuits beyond the Lake Hawdon parameters,” the Member for Mackillop said. “The ongoing maintenance, or lack thereof of our full South-East drainage network needs to be part of the discussion in this funding announcement.”

Mr McBride shared the concerns of his independent colleague Mr Bell in terms of exactly what share of the health and infrastructure funding pool would head to the Limestone Coast.

“We are still waiting for the results from the one-million-dollar review into the Naracoorte Hospital,” he said. “That review is due to be completed either this year or early next and will assist with the future medical needs of the Naracoorte Hospital and surrounding towns. I urge the Government to fast track this review so that we have a clearer pathway as to how we best service our smaller communities.

“$35 million over three years to deliver additional road safety maintenance will not scratch the surface in terms on resurfacing and maintaining our regional roads in MacKillop. I fear that the backlog that already exists will never be addressed.”

“Overall, while the budget will assist some people with cost-of-living pressures, there is still much more that is needed in my electorate. I look forward to continuing to advocate to the government for better outcomes for the people who live and work in MacKillop.”