MEMBER for MacKillop Nick McBride spent time in the heart of Penola on Monday for a coffee and catch-up with residents.
With a large electorate to cover, Mr McBride aims to visit the smaller towns within the district to highlight key issues in those areas.
“It is about being as transparent as possible,” he said.
“We want to get out and about and speak to the people whose opinions matter most – the ones who live in the towns.
Mr McBride said key issues raised at the event include licensing, water and disability care.
One of the concerns in Penola and Coonawarra has been the bypass project, with Mr McBride assuring the development will be a positive for the region.
“We want to make the main street more conducive to cafes, restaurants and outdoor dining,” he said.
“At the moment it is hard to enjoy the atmosphere when there are trucks driving up and down the street all day, so once the bypass is complete it will only enhance the town.”
Recently speaking to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll, Mr McBride said bypass work will start in the coming months.
“They have been doing lots of surveying, marking out and organising contractors and accommodation, things will get rolling soon and we aim to finish it during 2020.”
During the informal meetings with residents, Mr McBride said one of his most rewarding experiences was helping a mother who has been battling for disabled care for her son for more than a year.
“She came to us with the issues, which we took to Tony Pasin and eventually came out with a positive result,” he said.
“I think that is something to remember, if we cannot help at a state level, we will take it to Tony to ensure something is done.
“It is such a rewarding experience to make these kind of changes in people’s lives.
“We would not come across these kinds of stories unless we spent time out in the public getting to know the residents.”
