NANGWARRY residents were given the opportunity to voice concerns or issues they had within the community at a public meeting last week.
Around 15 people, including Wattle Range Council candidates, gathered at the town’s hall last Thursday for the meeting organised by Member for MacKillop Nick McBride.
Mr McBride was given insight into the group’s concerns through an open field discussion and also spoke to a number of residents in confidence.
Issues raised included use of the town’s swimming pool, health services and the closure of the Kalangadoo police station.
Mr McBride said it was evident to the new State Government that South Australia was “lagging” when compared to other states and their access to particular services.
“When they look around to the other states and compare ourselves to their health and education outcomes, we have been lagging,” he said.
“One of the things we can do then is catch up, so if they have a health card that provides free ambulance cover in Victoria, why do we not have a health card in South Australia that is at least the same?
“Why should we be treated differently?
“That is one of the things the government constantly brings up, not necessarily in this issue, but in other issues.
“It is up to me to take it to our health minister and say we need a level playing field.
“There is no reason why a pensioner in Victoria should have greater access to free ambulance cover than we do in South Australia.
“They should be the same, they should be parallel.
“Our new government actually wants to have South Australia lead Australia, not lag the rest of Australia.”
Mr McBride added he planned to meet with Nangwarry residents again in the future, as well as other communities across the electorate.
