By Raquel Mustillo
ROAD condition and maintenance, Lake George, regional ambulance services and council amalgamations were raised by Wattle Range representatives during a lengthy meeting with the State Opposition.
Labor deputy leader Susan Close and shadow Attorney-General Kyam Maher met with Wattle Range mayor Des Noll and chief executive Ben Gower during the opposition’s three-day tour of the Limestone Coast.
Mr Noll said the Millicent meeting also focused on concerns around the local health system, state planning changes and the Green Triangle Freight Action Plan.
“The road network and the state’s maintenance program and health care, especially getting back to a regional strategy in terms or health care rather than an Adelaide focus, was something we raised as a priority,” he said.
“We also talked about the issues we’re having with the state planning program and how we can make it more user friendly for local government, because it has been a bit of a disaster.
“Both Susan Close and Kyam Maher were very informed and willing to find out what our issues are with every topic we discussed.
“I think it was a great opportunity to catch up with the deputy opposition leader and the shadow Attorney-General to advocate the issues we have for Wattle Range Council, because they could potentially be the next State Government.”
Ms Close and Mr Maher joined Labor leader Peter Malinauskas in the region over the week following the announcement of the party’s Mount Gambier candidate, solicitor Katherine Davies.
The pair met with industry leaders, local government representatives and Limestone Coast constituents to discuss regional issues which will assist in the development of Labor’s pre-election policies.
