GRANT District Council chief executive officer David Singe has foreshadowed the need to revitalise the township of Tarpeena, which has suffered a number of setbacks.
The small community has been dealt a major blow with the closure of its school and the collapse of the township’s football club, which are traditionally the lifeblood of local communities.
Mr Singe suggested council needed to give Tarpeena some “tender loving care” and a renewed focus.
While the township’s Timberlink Australia mill is undergoing a massive development, there has been little other progress in the township.
The civic leader’s comments follow confirmation he has been permanently appointed to the prominent council position.
An email advising of Mr Singe’s permanent appointment is expected to be sent to all staff this week.
Settling into his prominent role, Mr Singe said he was delighted with the decision by elected members and outlined a number of priorities moving forward.
While the $9.2m redevelopment of the Mount Gambier Airport and the future of the Glenburnie Saleyards were among the major priorities, he said Tarpeena needed “attention”.
“I am keen to work with the staff team on how we can support and improve life in Tarpeena,” Mr Singe told The Border Watch yesterday.
“Tarpeena has lost its school and football club, which is fundamental in holding together service provision.”
Mr Singe – who stepped into the role in July last year – said he had been told the town had struggled since the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires that swept through the township.
He said a “gradual focus” was needed on the township to improve the lifestyle of residents and the vibrancy of the town.
Long serving Tarpeena councillor Shirley Little yesterday fully backed the need to revitalise the timber town.
While buoyed by the significant investment flowing into the Timberlink manufacturing site, she said more development and progress was needed.
Explaining this was her personal view, Ms Little said more information was needed on who was now living in the town and a way forward.
“The closure of the football club and the school was devastating for the township,” Cr Little said.
But she said the Tarpeena Progress Association had already started an ongoing community conversation on the need to drive the township forward.
In a positive sign for the community, Tarpeena has also formed a cricket team.
