1 Sept, 2023
Mayoral Message September 2023
An update from Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor Patrick Ross
"As we have made it through the winter, it’s time to reflect and look forward to spring and summer.
In the lead-up to the end of the financial year, your Council - both Elected Members and Staff - were busy preparing the 2023-24 Budget and finalising our new Strategic Plan.
The total budget spend for 2023-24 is $32.357M, which includes $12.97M will go to capital works, including $7.69M on roads, $1.72M at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange, nearly $900,000 on open space areas from Lucindale to Frances, upgrades to the Naracoorte Swimming Lake and $180,000 for the detailed design of the Naracoorte Town Centre Rejuvenation Plan.
The new Strategic Plan 2023-2033 gives both the Council and the community a clear indication of our direction over the next few years.
The six strategic directions are:
- Plan for and manage growth
- Embrace our cultural diversity
- Grow the visitor economy and our regional service hub
- Preserve our natural environment and enhance our built assets
- Invest in key infrastructure and assets
- Activate our recreation, events, arts and culture opportunities
Council has recently endorsed a number of Priority Actions for 2023-2024.
- Develop and implement a strategy for housing and identify opportunities for the Council to facilitate the availability of additional land for housing.
- Council needs to understand its role in economic development (including tourism) and adopt a policy that clearly articulates our role and responsibilities. Council will also develop and implement an Advocacy Framework to ensure a structured approach to advocating for assistance or action for all tiers of government and the private sector.
- Review, activate and implement projects identified within the Frances Masterplan, Lucindale Masterplan and the Naracoorte Creek Masterplan.
- Council will undertake a service review relating to Council roads, including whether the current levels of investment in grading, repairs and maintenance, resurfacing and reconstruction, and shoulder sealing meet the Council’s service standards, and taking into account the changing nature and volumes of traffic.
- Council will develop a plan for recreation, arts and culture that includes a Facilities Audit and the potential for multi-use facilities as well as the opportunities for repurposing existing facilities that are no longer fit for purpose or under utilised., including the Naracoorte Old Library building
Finally, the Council will be deliberating on the Naracoorte Regional Sports Centre - we will then take our findings back to you the community for further evaluation.
Since March, I have come to realise how many levels of engagement one must have whilst in the position of Mayor. Daily, there can be highs and lows, and every day that I enter the office I am met with a smile and enthusiasm and the level of engagement is fantastic. I believe we have a great team working for you and our community.
In recent weeks, I have had many people from outside our district comment on the quality of our road maintenance and tree trimming.
As a livestock producer, I am very aware of the financial pain which will be felt over the next year or two - your Council will ensure that your contribution of rates is well spent for the future of all in the district.
Finally, I need to bring to your attention that NOW is the time to prepare for summer and the potential of bushfires. Please prepare now with knockdown spraying of fire breaks and fuel reduction around your house. Living in a town does not mean a fire will not impact on you or your home - it’s up to you! There may not be a fire truck at every house if it happens. For more information, please contact the CFS."
- Mayor Patrick Ross
Media Spokespeople:
Mayor Patrick Ross - email patrick.ross@nlc.sa.gov.au, phone 0427 658 049
Trevor Smart, CEO - email trevor.smart@nlc.sa.gov.au, phone 8760 1100
General Media Enquiries:
Josie Collins, Manager Engagement & Community - email josie.collins@nlc.sa.gov.au, phone 8760 1100