Charlotte Varcoe
MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has made an expensive wish list as his Future Mount Gambier 2.0 consultation paper is released.
Mr Bell has called for more than $200 million worth of projects to be implemented across his electorate – almost four years since his original $100m plan.
The plan details a list of initial ideas to provoke discussion and gain feedback from local industries, businesses and residents.
Within the plan, issues spanning from education and roads to tourism initiatives and alcohol and other drug services.
Mr Bell has called for $40m to be allocated to schools infrastructure and maintenance, claiming the 15 government funded schools in the electorate require “vital maintenance” funding to address “critical” infrastructure issues and general wear and tear.
He also called for $16m over four years for regional roads, requesting the state government to re-establish the highways department in Mount Gambier/Berrin as well as Naracoorte.
Other projects highlighted in the consultation plan include $50m over four years to construct SA Water infrastructure to support housing, $12m for the refurbishment of the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre and $10m for sporting infrastructure.
Public transport, accessibility, mentors for the migrant community and junior athlete development and support was also highlighted.
Mr Bell said it had been four years since he introduced the Future Mount Gambier plan which outlined key initiatives to address the region’s “most pressing needs”.
“As a result, the Malinauskas Labor Government committed over $100 million to projects in our area, spanning healthcare, housing, education, and forestry,” Mr Bell said.
“With the next state election less than two years away, now is the time to start planning.
“It is vital that we articulate to both major political parties what our city’s priorities are and we can’t wait for decisions to be made in Adelaide; instead, we must actively express our community’s needs.”
He said the Future Mount Gambier 2.0 was currently a consultation paper and he looked forward to receiving feedback from the community while working together with local experts to finalise the priorities and ensure the region’s future needs were “at the forefront” of the political agenda leading to 2026.
Mayor of Mount Gambier Lynette Martin and Mayor of Grant Council Kylie Boston both welcomed the consultation paper.
Ms Martin said the City of Mount Gambier was pleased to work with Mr Bell in developing the document and believed it was important for the local government to advocate to both state and federal governments to achieve outcomes.
“I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to consider Troy’s document and asked the City of Mount Gambier’s thoughts on it,” Ms Martin said.
“It is good that we are working together in this because it is important to work together to advocate to state and federal governments to achieve the best outcomes.”
She said the City of Mount Gambier recently completed engagement with the community to develop Mount Gambier Community Vision 2035 with many things aligning with Mr Bell’s proposal.
“Obviously regional roads and waterways are important but I really believe they should be considered as business as usual and that we should not have specific amounts to support this infrastructure because it is essential for everyday living,” Ms Martin said.
“I was pleased to see radiation treatment and the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre upgrades which I think is really important because that will support the library and the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre.
“To have an upgrade of the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre will be really helpful to further value and add to the growth of our cultural centre.”
She said public transport was also of council’s high importance and was something it had been advocating for across several years.
“These projects and investments provide improved liveability and support economic sustainability of our city and region, so it is really important that the local government works with our local member on this,” Ms Martin said.
Ms Boston echoed Ms Martin’s comments stating the Member for Mount Gambier has built and addressed significant community needs.
“Things like the public school funding, local hospice facilities and road improvements are things we have been looking at and we have had presentations from the museum committee about what they are doing there,” Ms Boston said.
“It is fabulous to get his report on that and I think it is great he is supporting some of that tourism infrastructure with things like the toilets at the Little Blue and marine rescue.
“Marine rescue is something Troy has been passionate about for quite a while and that is something our local council has been involved in for many years so it would be nice to get that happening.”
She said other things in the document which caught her attention was the Tarpeena growth strategy.
“That is the stuff we have been doing around our masterplan and the strategic land use plan,” Ms Boston said.
“It is great to see these initiatives because they all bring a great benefit to our region and also what it does show is that the district remains a priority for the government, for their funding and their resources.”
She said she also hoped Mr Bell would advocate to support other critical infrastructure such as the Mount Gambier Regional Airport and the Mount Gambier and Districts Saleyards.
