PREMIER Steven Marshall inspected drainage infrastructure in the Millicent district and called at a local business and church during an unscheduled whistle-stop visit on Sunday morning.
Mr Marshall had spent the previous day in Mount Gambier attending various events associated with the annual Generations in Jazz festival.
On his return to Adelaide by road on Sunday night, Mr Marshall summarised his two days in the South East.
“I have spoken with farmers about the state of country roads and infrastructure and in particular the drainage system in the South East and there is a lot of work to do,” Mr Marshall said.
One of the premier’s appointments was in the Rendelsham and Hatherleigh area, where he inspected two bridges and met local farmers.
Hatherleigh farmer Chris Skeer said Mr Marshall was shown one bridge which was too narrow to deal with modern farm machinery while another had been awaiting repairs for the past three years.
Mr Skeer said the premier had been receptive to the issues raised by the local farming community.
“He could see the need for work and there had been a lack of funding,” Mr Skeer said.
“I also pointed out the safety issue on the Princes Highway at Hatherleigh where trees need to be removed as visibility is reduced.”
The bridges inspected by Mr Marshall are the responsibility of the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board.
Presiding member Frank Brennan said he trusted Mr Marshall now has a deeper appreciation at the challenges faced by the Millicent-based board in managing the extensive drainage network in the region.Mr Brennan said the SEWCDB is responsible for managing 2500km of drains and associated infrastructure and the effects of the private drainage network.
“The board has to prioritise its annual State Government $2.4m budget allocation to ensure the drainage network is maintained at an appropriate standard and this is a challenge,” Mr Brennan said.
“I look forward to taking the opportunity in the near future to discuss with the premier and Environment Minister David Spiers the financial requirements for managing the drainage network at an appropriate standard.”
The bridge inspection was arranged by member for MacKillop Nick McBride and he also took Mr Marshall to Kingston.
They were met by local mayor Reg Lyon and council chief executive Andrew McDonald and they inspected a damaged sea wall.
Mr McBride told The South Eastern Times the Sunday activities were arranged at very short notice and his request for direct media coverage of the inspections was declined by the premier’s office.
“Mr Marshall wanted to see first-hand the drainage network and meet with affected land holders and I made that happen,” Mr McBride said.
During his time in Millicent, Mr Marshall told The South Eastern Times he wanted to be briefed about the region’s drainage network.
He said the forward estimates budgetary deliberations were about to get under way and he had heard the maintenance backlog was as much as $40m.
The Millicent residents who met Mr Marshall have told of his warmth and approachable manner.
Accompanied by two minders, Mr Marshall’s first stop in the town was at McCourt’s Garden Centre, where he became proprietor Christine Agnew’s first customer for the day.
Ms Agnew said he purchased a number of plants and a pot from her Davenport Street business and was keen to get some gardening tips from her.
According to Ms Agnew, the premier was interested in how her business was structured and the manner in which it now successfully incorporated an in-store florist.
His next stop was the adjoining McCourt’s Café, where co-manager Madi Thwaites served him a coffee.
While at the café and chatting with staff and customers, Mr Marshall heard the bell tolling at the nearby St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church.
As a he is regular Anglican churchgoer, he decided to worship at the 9.30am service.
It was led by Millicent/Penola parish priest Father John Thompson and he gave a special welcome to the premier.
Father John said Mr Marshall had commended him on the sermon he delivered.
He was the first premier to worship in the church since the late Don Dunstan did so around 50 years ago.
