WATTLE Range mayoral candidate Des Noll has stepped up the fight to reinstate a permanent police presence at Kalangadoo, launching a petition earlier this week.
The petition follows Police Minister Corey Wingard failing to commit to the State Liberals’ pre-election commitment to keep the station open, citing a new review that will examine “priority areas” in rural and regional South Australia.
Mr Noll, a former police officer, said the petition aimed to demonstrate the widespread support for staffing the single-man station.
“I have been talking to people in Kalangadoo and hearing the benefits of having a police officer living and working alongside the local community,” he said.
“They are concerned the police station will remain closed, and through the petition we want to make sure the State Government is held accountable for its election promise.
“It is required, it is part of their community and it is more about providing a service.
“These services in any community are a priority, particularly in smaller communities, and they should be retained.”
Mr Noll urged Mr Wingard and Member for MacKillop Nick McBride to visit Kalangadoo and “hear about the value of a permanent police presence”.
“As a mayoral candidate, I see it as my responsibility to talk to the community, finding out what the issues are and being their voice,” he said.
“I would invite both the police minister and our local member to talk to the community about their concerns.
“They made an election commitment and I am going to make sure they are held accountable to it.”
Patrols from Penola and Millicent have serviced the Kalangadoo police area, which encompasses Nangwarry and Tarpeena, since the sole police officer started prolonged leave.
Kalangadoo business owner Tim Krieger said the town’s residents were concerned the police officer would not be replaced.
“Everyone in town says how good it would be to get the police officer back,” he said.
“The last police officer we had here was brilliant.
“He did a lot more than just be a police officer and he was here outside working hours.
“Once something like this is gone, you never get it back.”
Earlier this year, Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Superintendent Grant Moyle said the Kalangadoo policing area was being adequately serviced by patrols, adding he did not consider there had been any gap in service delivery.
However, Mr Krieger said there had been a noted decrease in police presence since the departure of the Kalangadoo officer.
“We hardly see a police car coming through here anymore,” he said.
“There might be one coming through on a Friday night or a Sunday night.
“Sometimes a police car might drive in, pinch someone and drive off and it gets everyone offside.
“I know they are doing their job, but in a small community, it is really important to have a good connection with the police.”
In a statement, Mr McBride said he would support the retention of any country police station within the MacKillop electorate.
