COUNTRY CABINET , Yorke and Mid North

April 2017 State Government Response

/YourFutureSA COUNTRY CABINET Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North

Index

Premier’s Foreword 3 Minister for Regional Development’s Foreword 4 Introduction 5 Country Cabinet 6 Fund My Idea 7 What we heard 8 Actions taken in response to what we heard 10 Other important issues 12 Economic Development 13 Transport, Planning and Infrastructure 15 Health and Community Services 17 Primary Production, Environment and Water 21

2 State Government Response /YourFutureSA

Premier’s Foreword

The Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North region is a vibrant, beautiful and productive part of and State Cabinet was very pleased to visit the area in April 2017. As part of our three day Country Cabinet visit, my Cabinet Ministers and I spoke to many people and organisations and gained valuable insights into the matters of importance to local residents. We heard that key issues for the region include the upgrade and maintenance of main transport routes, energy security and coastal protection. We also heard about the region’s key economic growth opportunities. This report summarises the issues and opportunities raised during Country Cabinet and outlines what the State Government will do to address them and create meaningful change for the region. This includes committing $3.18 million for the Bundaleer Pipeline Scheme, to provide an affordable source of water for industry around the Bundaleer Reservoir. The South Australian Government strongly supports the Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North region and will work with the region to support its thriving communities for a prosperous future.

Jay Weatherill Premier of South Australia

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Minister for Regional Development’s Foreword

The first Country Cabinet visit for 2017, to Port Pirie and the Yorke and Mid North Region, was of course very close to my heart. An important part of my Agreement with the Premier as the Independent Member for Frome is holding three Country Cabinet meetings a year in our regions. I was delighted at the welcome the Premier and Ministers received from the local communities and the time taken by Ministers to engage with locals. The Cabinet’s visit in April 2017 included the Port Pirie, Barunga West, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Wakefield Regional, Copper Coast, Mount Remarkable and council areas. These visits provided an opportunity for Ministers to hear about significant issues important to local communities, as well as opportunities in their region. What clearly shone through was the passion and pride those communities had in their regions. Our State has a strong reliance on tourism and agricultural industries and our regions are an integral link in driving these elements of our economy. The Yorke and Mid North part of the state takes in some of the state’s most beautiful coastline, rich cropping and pasture land, and the vineyards of the Clare Valley. The Cabinet’s visit indicated there are growing and emerging opportunities for tourism and agriculture in that region. The upgrade of the Nyrstar facility in Port Pirie to expand its e-waste processing capacity is just one example of how regions are reinventing themselves, with the company’s commitment to South Australia creating jobs and a brighter, cleaner future for our children. In my role as Regional Development Minister, I am committed to supporting all regional communities to build their social and economic fabric, ensuring a sustainable future for all of South Australia. I thank everyone who brought their ideas to Country Cabinet Port Pirie Yorke and Mid North, online or in person.

Geoff Brock Minister for Regional Development 4 State Government Response /YourFutureSA

Introduction

Our regions

Three in every 10 South Australians live in a regional community. Regional communities make a major contribution to South Australia’s identity, quality of life and prosperity. Regional South Australia generates much of our state’s wealth, contributing more than $20 billion to our economy and producing more than 50 per cent of South Australia’s overseas exports. Building stronger regions is a priority for the South Australian Government. Our regions help to define our state - breathing life into our sense of self, culture, traditions and place in the nation. Country South Australia not only provides an economic engine for the State, it contributes to our unique character and helps define what it is to be South Australian.

The importance of the Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North region

Port Pirie sits at the upper reaches of the and is the gateway to the beautiful Southern Flinders Ranges. The city has a history as a major processing and export centre and is home to the world’s largest lead smelter. The town has a strong commitment to ensuring the health of its residents and the environment and is pursuing an environmentally safe and sustainable future. The Mid North remains an important agricultural region, producing a significant quantity of the state’s agricultural output. The region is also home to one of Australia’s oldest and best wine regions and a growing gourmet food industry. The Mid North is also proud of its rich mining heritage and beautiful historic townships. With Gulf St Vincent to the east and the Spencer Gulf to the west, the Yorke Peninsula is a spectacular coastal playground. Fishing is a key industry and recreational pursuit in the area, making it a prime location to source and enjoy fresh seafood. The area is also a major grain producer, with the region’s barley featuring in almost every Australian beer.

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Country Cabinet

From 2 to 4 April 2017, Premier Jay Weatherill and Cabinet Ministers visited the Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North region. It was the first Country Cabinet held in 2017, as part of the Government’s Charter for Stronger Regional Policy. Almost 500 people attended Country Cabinet events across the three days. This included community barbecues and public forums in Port Pirie on Sunday 2 April and Clare on Monday 3 April. These events provided an opportunity for the community to raise issues and ideas for the region directly with the Premier and Ministers. The Mayors of the region’s councils gave a joint presentation to Cabinet Ministers in Clare on the Tuesday morning. Cabinet also met with business and industry leaders, local service providers and members of the community during a range of different activities throughout the region.

Country Cabinet events included: • Meet-A-Minister meetings with the Premier, Ministers and community members in Port Pirie • A community barbecue and public forum in Port Pirie • Lunch with community and business leaders in Port Broughton • A second community barbecue and public forum in Clare • Presentations by the Mayors of the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, District Council of Barunga West, District Council of Mount Remarkable, Wakefield Regional Council, District Council of Yorke Peninsula, District Council of the Copper Coast and Port Pirie Regional Council • Afternoon tea with community members in Balaklava • Site visits by the Premier and Ministers throughout the region.

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Fund My Idea

Fund My Idea gives the community the chance to submit and vote on projects that will benefit their region. Up to $50,000 of funding is provided by the Government through Fund My Idea for each Country Cabinet. The community put forward eight proposals for Fund My Idea in the Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North region. The ideas were published on the YourSAy website at yourSAy.sa.gov.au and over a three week period the community voted on how they felt the money should be spent.

These ideas will receive funding:

Trails for Everyone Kadina Water Tower Tumble and Bounce $13,950 Memoirs Yorke Peninsula Style In The Flinders will be funded $30,000 $6,050 to provide an all-terrain Murals depicting famous Equipment will be purchased wheelchair to enable disabled Kadina identities will be to facilitate the safe teaching people to explore otherwise painted on the local water of tumbling and acrobatic inaccessible trails. The grant tower, creating a new tourism skills, as well as enabling Active will be used to purchase and attraction for the region. for Life Movement Classes for modify the wheelchair and train over 50s. people to assist with wheeling.

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What we heard

The message Cabinet took away from the Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North Country Cabinet was of a prosperous region with enormous potential for economic growth in key industry sectors. There are some challenges that require more support, but overall the future looks bright for the region’s communities. This report gives a snapshot of the Government’s response. While it is not an exhaustive list of the Government’s work in the region, it gives an indication of the Government’s commitment to work with local government, business and the community to build an even stronger region. Maintenance and development of key road networks is very important for the region. The community also seeks upgrades to a number of key recreational facilities, including at Watervale and Clare, and opportunities to unlock the potential of Crown Land in the region. Industries in the region want secure and cost-effective supplies of energy and water to ensure economic growth for Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North communities. Port Pirie is also working hard to promote the recent positive changes in the city, as well as to diversify its economy to further ensure the city’s long term prosperity. The region highly values its health services, in particular its hospitals. Ensuring transport is available to medical appointments is a priority for the region’s older residents and more childcare options are sought to support young families. Protecting the region’s beautiful coastal environment is a key issue for many communities and needs to be balanced against opportunities to derive economic benefit from the region’s natural resources.

8 State Government Response /YourFutureSA

Additional funding provided to the region

During the April 2017 Country Cabinet, the State Government announced funding for a range of projects and businesses across the region, including:

$300,000 towards a project to $40,000 for a new tractor for the improve existing footpaths in the Port Pirie Harness Racing Club. Yorke Peninsula’s major townships. $32,377 in grants was provided to $299,696 was awarded to Clare nine sporting clubs across the region. Valley Waste, which will kickstart $30,000 to Tarlee Primary School to an upgrade to its recyclables enable students to go France to attend processing facility, cut the amount the renaming and dedication of a of material going to landfill and school under the name of a Mid North create two new jobs. war veteran, Arthur Clifford Stribling. $208,000 for Port Pirie’s Virtus $19,360 to the Red Cross to Soccer Club, to allow it to upgrade purchase a wheelchair access mat its facilities at Byrne Park. for Solomontown Beach, to allow $122,000 between six wineries wheelchair users and people with in the Clare Valley through the State mobility difficulties to enjoy the ocean. Government’s new $1.8 million Wine $2,000 to the Mount Horrocks Industry Development Scheme, Historical Society for the installation designed to boost visitor numbers of five new signs. and support the wine industry. $1,500 to the Port Broughton $180,000 towards a project to Rainbow Quilters. upgrade Booleroo Centre Airstrip by $1,000 to the Balaklava Museum sealing the entire length of the runway. for acquisition of a bronze plaque $112,000 towards a project to develop honouring Boer War veterans from the Bluff lookout as a tourist attraction the region. in the Flinders Ranges. $50,000 for family-owned business Cunningham’s Balaklava in the form of an Innovation Voucher to develop a cost-effective device to help farmers chemically treat their own grain safely and accurately. The innovation would build on South Australia’s agricultural exports and support the ‘growth through innovation’ economic priority.

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Actions taken in response to what we heard

Bundaleer Pipeline Scheme

The State Government has committed $3.18 million to make water from the Bundaleer Reservoir available for agricultural use. This is in response to the community’s calls for affordable water supplies to further develop the region’s prime agricultural land. The Bundaleer Pipleline Scheme will include a 12 kilometre pipeline network and related infrastructure to provide an affordable source of water to industry. The Scheme will accelerate and expand high quality agricultural production in South Australia’s Mid North region, creating revenue of around $4.6 million per year for the region. The State Government has applied for matched funding from the Commonwealth’s National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, with the outcome expected to be announced in mid-2017. If Commonwealth funding is secured, construction of the pipeline will begin by the end of 2017.

Port Wakefield Traffic Management Study

The State Government has committed $150,000 to undertake a Traffic Management Study to identify cost-effective solutions to traffic delays in Port Wakefield. As many as 11,000 vehicles per day travel this section of Highway One at peak times, such as public holidays, which creates significant delays for locals, tourists and freight traffic. The study will focus on the five kilometre sector of between the dual carriageway to the south and the Copper Coast and Augusta highways to the north. The study will identify options to improve traffic flow that are compatible with plans to build a bypass at Port Wakefield in the medium-term. Once complete, the community will be consulted on potential improvements identified by the study.

Boost for mobile coverage in Sevenhill

A new mobile phone base station will be built at Sevenhill in the Clare Valley to improve mobile phone coverage in the current black spot. The site was one of four chosen across the state. The State Government has funded Optus to build and operate the base station, which will increase 4G coverage, improve call quality and provide faster, more reliable internet within a 10 kilometre radius of the tower.

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Enhanced emergency communications for Gilbert Valley

A South Australian Government Radio Network (SAGRN) site has been opened at Waterloo to improve emergency service communications in the region. The SAGRN is one of the world’s largest and most effective public safety radio networks, providing highly reliable radio and paging services that cover 96 per cent of the South Australian community. It plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of both emergency services workers and the community. The new site at Waterloo will significantly improve radio coverage for the Gilbert Valley, which had been identified as having poor communications coverage. It is already being used by emergency services providers including fire services, SA Ambulance, SA Police, State Emergency Services and SA Water to help them keep the community safe. Improved communications have already had a major impact, helping 200 Country Fire Service volunteers while fighting a fire near Waterloo earlier this year.

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Other important issues

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Economic Development

Secure and affordable electricity supply is essential for the region’s economic development. A range of industries are expanding in the region and Port Pirie is working hard to diversify its economy to secure its long term economic prosperity. Unemployment and underemployment are of concern in some areas, but there are opportunities for jobs growth throughout the region. Key Issues Our Response

Diversifying the Port Pirie The State Government is committed to working with Port Pirie businesses and economy and increasing local the community to support economic development in the region. This includes jobs is a priority for the region exploring new value-adding industries. In close proximity to a number of production zones and necessary infrastructure to support further developments, Port Pirie is well located for increased value-adding of primary produce. A new feedlot south of Port Pirie would be a welcome development to increase the availability of premium livestock for processing in South Australia. This may also contribute to a business case for extra processing capacity through a new abattoir in the area. The State Government is also identifying ways in which local infrastructure can be more productively utilised, such as port facilities and transport networks. The 50 Year Port Strategy will consider Port Pirie’s role in future regional supply chains, with a draft strategy expected in late 2017. The current port facility is constrained by a relatively long, shallow channel and rail access that crosses the city’s main street. While these characteristics are unlikely to support large scale bulk commodities, there is potential to service project freight tasks and niche commodities efficiently.

Energy costs and security In March 2017, the State Government released Our Energy Plan. The Plan are an important issue for outlines a range of measures to source, generate and control more of South local businesses Australia’s power supply in South Australia so we can increase self-reliance and provide reliable, competitive and clean power for all into the future. The Plan is in addition to other State Government programs, such as the Energy Productivity Program, which provides $31 million over two years to assist large South Australian businesses to manage their electricity costs. Funding is available for business customers in South Australia that consume over 160 MWh of electricity per annum. This includes $7.5 million to cover

75 per cent of the cost of energy audits for up to 500 businesses and the

Energy Productivity Implementation Grant Program to fund implementation

of audit recommendations.

The South Australian Government is also aware Nyrstar is investigating alternative power generation source and feed stream options for the Port Pirie Smelter. The South Australian Government will work with Nyrstar on opportunities for economic diversification when the feasibility and viability outcomes of its investigations are determined.

Unemployment and The State Government has created the $200 million Future Jobs Fund to drive underemployment is employment growth across South Australia. The Government is determined to a concern, particularly build new industries, back the growth sectors already competing successfully among youth and create incentives to encourage businesses to invest. There are three components to the Future Jobs Fund: • $50 million in grants and $70 million in low interest loans to business to support job creation. Applications to the Department of Treasury and Finance for business case funding close on 14 July 2017. Applications for grants and loans close on 29 September 2017. • $30 million in grant funding and $30 million in loans to continue to attract new inward investment in key industries. • Over $20 million in other measures that will support local industries to grow.

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To support training and employment for young people in the region, the State Government provided $78,000 in 2016/17 to subsidise travel and accommodation for apprentices and trainees who are required to travel to undertake their off the job training. The State Government also provided Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North (RDA) with $203,000 in 2016/17 to provide tailored career services and advice on local employment opportunities for job seekers in the Yorke and Mid North regions. RDA is in the process of finalising its new Economic Growth Strategy for Port Pirie, which will incorporate actions relating to youth unemployment. The State Government will work with RDA to support implementation of the Strategy. The State Government’s Skills and Employment Regional Manager for the Yorke, Mid North and Southern Flinders Rangers works with local employers to identify their skills and employment needs and connect them with State and Federal Government programs and services that address local needs. For more information about State Government employment programs, phone the Skills and Employment Infoline on 1800 506 266 or visit www.skills.sa.gov.au.

There is interest in the In 2015, the State Government released the business case Solutions to bulk development of a new mineral export infrastructure on Spencer Gulf. The business case identified port near Port Pirie three priority port locations for South Australia: • the existing Whyalla port • the planned Cape Hardy Port on the Eyre Peninsula • the planned Myponie Point facility just north of Wallaroo, primarily for export of large volume commodities including iron ore. The business case indicated a number of smaller volume ports, including the Port Pirie port, could be developed to support bulk commodity exports and local supply chain requirements based on demand. The proposed Carpentaria magnetite project in north western New South Wales (NSW) is considering using the Port Pirie port and existing rail supply chain infrastructure. Development and mining assessment processes and an investment decision are expected within the next five years.

Increased gas and water The State Government understands the Wakefield Regional Council is keen supply would support future to promote the south west section of the district as an area of longer term industrial expansion around potential for the intensive livestock and horticulture industries, should water Port Wakefield and energy supply be improved. While there are no current proposals for this area, the State Government will work with the Council if new intensive agriculture projects are identified in the future.

Concern about Southern Neoen Australia is proposing to build the Crystal Brook Energy Park (CBEP) in Flinders Ranges wind the Southern Flinders Ranges, approximately 23 kilometres southeast of Port farm proposal Pirie and three kilometres north of Crystal Brook. The company is planning further meetings with the local community to discuss their concerns. Neoen Australia has advised that studies into the potential impact of wind farm developments on property prices, including a report by the NSW Valuer-General in 2009, have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that wind farms can be linked to adverse impacts on property prices. Neoen Australia is also obligated under its project agreements, to remove all above-ground infrastructure including wind turbines, solar panels, storage facilities and associated infrastructure at the end of the project life. In relation to health concerns regarding wind farms, SA Health relies on the advice given by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). In February 2014, the NHMRC published a draft paper of the evidence on whether wind farms cause health effects in humans. The conclusion is there is no reliable or consistent evidence that wind farms directly cause adverse health effects in humans. This result was ratified through a subsequent review completed in February 2015.

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Transport, Planning and Infrastructure

Maintaining and developing regional road networks is vital both for the region’s economy and road safety. Local councils seek support to access a range of Crown Land sites in the region. The community is also seeking upgrades to a number of sporting and recreational facilities.

Key Issues Our Response

Maintenance required on The section of road between Hamley Bridge and Horrocks Highway was the road connecting Templers, damaged by severe storms in October 2016, requiring the speed limit to be Hamley Bridge and Owen with reduced from 80kph to 60kph. Pavement repair works were completed in the Traeger Highway March 2017 and the 80kph speed limit has been restored. A 5km section of the road between Owen and Hamley Bridge (between Alma South Road and Emu Road) is scheduled for full rehabilitation and widening to accommodate 3.3m lanes and 1m sealed shoulders in late 2017.

Upgrades needed at key The State Government supports a Port Wakefield Traffic Management intersections to improve Feasibility study being undertaken. The study will consider short-medium traffic flow in the Port term traffic management measures that could be implemented along Wakefield area through the Port Wakefield township to improve traffic flow, particularly during peak periods, such as public holidays. The State Government will liaise with the Alliance of Yorke Peninsula Councils to confirm the Project Brief, then initiate a tender process for the study. The Augusta Highway/Copper Coast Highway junction will also be incorporated into the proposed Port Wakefield Traffic Management Feasibility study.

Freight transport bottlenecks The Skillies Bridge on the Auburn to Balaklava Road has been identified as a are an issue for local farmers priority for upgrade works under the Freight Access program. The upgrade is estimated to cost approximately $1 million. The State Government has lodged a submission to round 3 of the Commonwealth Government’s Bridges Renewal Program seeking funding for 50 per cent of the cost of the project. Furthermore, the State Government is pleased to advise that effective from 5 May 2017, 19 metre semi-trailer vehicles operating with higher mass limits are approved to travel along Balaklava Road (from the junction with Blyth Plains Road near Halbury to the junction with Horrocks Highway, Auburn), including travel over the Skillies Bridge.

Horrocks Highway requires State Government roads are periodically inspected to determine condition repairs to improve safety and investment needed to maintain the State’s road network. The following sections of the Horrocks Highway have been recently upgraded or scheduled for maintenance: • 13.5 km south of Wilmington (Maccallum Road to Girdham Rd) in 2016/17 (works completed) • 2.8 km south of Wirrabra Township in 2016/17 (works completed) • Georgetown to 9km South in 2018/19 • Badmans Bridge in 2018/19.

Limited access to public On 9 March 2017 Bus SA provided the State Government with its report transport in the region ‘Improving Mobility Opportunities in Regional South Australia’. The report explored the role of mobility in promoting social inclusion and connectivity in regional communities and examined existing services, service gaps and strategies to improve integration and coordination of existing services and resources.

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One of the key recommendations of the Report was to facilitate improved coordination and integration in the establishment of Regional Access Committees (RACs) to act as a central regional body for: • collecting and disseminating information on a region’s transport needs and the existing services and resources available • identifying and prioritising regional mobility needs • establishing regional partnerships with stakeholders to address needs and utilise existing resources • supporting private operators to deliver transport services. The State Government is currently investigating the establishment of RACs to deal with regional access issues, with Port Pirie being considered as a location for a pilot program.

Clarification sought regarding The Jetty is leased to the District Council of Mount Remarkable until maintenance funding for Port 24 June 2027. According to the terms of the lease, the council is responsible Germein Jetty for the day to day maintenance of the jetty. Where significant damage occurs to the jetty, the council is responsible for the first $10,000 (CPI indexed) worth of repairs. The balance of the repair bill will be met by the State Government under special funding/indemnity arrangements.

Approval is sought for a Under changes to legislation, vehicles such as Segways are defined as local tourist park to conduct Electronic Personal Transporters (EPTs). Drivers are exempt from registration Segway tours in Kadina and licensing requirements if used in defined areas. The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure may approve people driving EPTs on or over a road subject to any conditions considered necessary, such as those recently provided for Segways to be used in Adelaide’s Riverbank Precinct for tourism purposes. Operators can seek the Minister’s approval to operate EPTs in a prescribed area for purposes, such as tourism, by providing a submission to Government. The submission must include: • a business proposal • a detailed risk assessment, including treatments • a map of the proposed route • a letter of support from the local council. Submissions can be forwarded directly to the Vehicle Regulation Manager, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure: [email protected].

Residents expressed a The State Government’s Steel Procurement Policy mandates the use of preference for South certified Australian Standard steel on all future government projects and Australian steel to be used in ensures steelwork is supplied by steel fabricators independently certified infrastructure projects to the recently created National Structural Steelwork Compliance Scheme. South Australian steel from Arrium has been used on major projects, including: • ~6,500 tonnes on the Northern Connector • ~2,000 tonnes on the O-Bahn City Access Project • ~6,000 tonnes on the Torrens Rail Junction Project • ~4,600 tonnes on the Torrens Road to River Torrens Project.

State Government support The Watervale Tennis club’s 2016/17 Community Recreation and is sought to construct Sport Facilities Program (CRSFP) application was unsuccessful. additional tennis courts The District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys has submitted an application and a community centre at for $403,580 for a Watervale Community and Sports Precinct through the Watervale 2017/18 CRSFP. This application incorporates two redevelopments; the Watervale Tennis Club improvements and the local Community Centre. The council will be notified of the outcome of this application on 31 July 2017.

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Support is sought for the The District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys has applied for $250,000 planned upgrade of the Clare towards the Clare Valley Sport and Recreation Precinct Project through Oval precinct and facilities Round 2 of the 2017/18 Facilities Program. The council will be notified of the outcome of this application on 31 July 2017.

Transfer of Clare Courthouse The land to the rear of the existing Court building at Old , land sought to establish an Clare is vested in the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and is arts and cultural precinct on occupied and operated as a Magistrates Court, managed by the the site South Australian Courts Administration Authority (CAA). The CAA cannot currently endorse sale of the land to the rear of the Court building. However, the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure is in a position to negotiate a short to medium term lease over the land to the District Council of Clare and Gilbert Valleys, should the Council wish to pursue this option. A new lease will be subject to CAA consent, as well as resolving leasing documentation and commercial terms.

Local councils are seeking Crown Land is a valuable resource and its careful management is essential. support for transferring The State Government supports proposals that utilise public resources to parcels of Crown Land for significantly benefit regional communities and will work with local councils developments in the region and the private sector to consider proposals for access to Crown Land. The State Government has a responsibility to ensure Crown Land is managed in accordance with legislation and for the long-term benefit of all South Australians. For this reason, all Crown Land transfers must adhere to Premier and Cabinet Circular 114 Government Real Property Management. This policy requires State Government departments to seek expressions of interest in properties by other government agencies and the relevant local council before offering them to the open market.

Health and Community Services

The Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North region is home to some excellent health and community services and these are highly valued by the community. Transport to medical appointments for vulnerable residents is a priority for the community. Access to affordable childcare is also a key issue for the region.

Key Issues Our Response

There is concern about The State Government is committed to ensuring all South Australians have resourcing of the region’s access to high quality health care. Our country hospitals play a vital role in hospitals and access to their communities and the State Government has significantly invested in radiology and chemotherapy regional general hospitals in recent years, including $12.5 million for the services on the Yorke Port Pirie GP Plus Health Care Centre. Peninsula Expanding access to radiology services at Wallaroo Hospital is being investigated as part of a tender process for the renewal of the radiology contracts for a number of country hospitals. Chemotherapy services are currently provided at Wallaroo in response to patient need. A review of all the country chemotherapy units is being undertaken by Country Health SA Local Health Network.

Mental health services can be Clinical mental health services are provided in the region by community difficult to access in the region mental health teams based in the Mid North (Port Pirie), Lower North (Clare) and Yorke Peninsula (Kadina). There are also outreach workers based in Peterborough and Minlaton. Access is through self-referral or referral from

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local doctors and other service providers. Country Mental Health Services aims to triage and assess referrals within 24 hours. Psychosocial services are provided across the Yorke and Northern Region through a variety of providers. These services are available to people aged 16 and above, either through self-referral or referral from service providers. Country Mental Health will work with external service providers to ensure referral pathways are clear for those needing psychosocial services. They are also working with the Primary Health Network to develop pathways to ensure that consumers requiring non specialist mental health service have access.

Better mental health services Balaklava's high school students aged 16 and over can receive services from the are needed for young people Lower North Mental Health team. The Youth Consultation Liaison for the team in the Balaklava area will liaise with high schools in the Balaklava region to ensure they are aware of referral pathways to services for students aged 16 and above. Balaklava students under the age of 16 can access mental health services through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. The Country Health SA Local Health Network will raise this issue with the Country SA Primary Health Network.

Clarification sought regarding The South Australian Government is committed to ensuring South Australian the State Government’s consumers have access to the optimal range of treatments and services to medicinal cannabis policy promote the best health outcomes. South Australian patients can already access medicinal cannabis as a result of Federal legislative changes which came into effect in November 2016. In April 2017, the State Government announced that medical practitioners in South Australia would no longer need State approval to prescribe Schedule 8 medicinal cannabis. Prescribing medicinal cannabis is now a decision a medical specialist will make in the best interests of their patient. For more information about Medicinal Cannabis, visit www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/officeihmc or call 8463 5630.

There are reports that Financial support is available to patients who need to travel more than some residents experience 100 km to receive specialist medical treatment through the Patient Assistance difficulty accessing transport Transport Scheme (PATS). PATS funding increased by $9.34 million over the to medical appointments four year period from 2014/15 to 2017/18. From 2018/19 onwards, recurrent PATS funding has been increased by $2.5 million per year. Additionally, the region is served by the Yorke Peninsula Community Transport and Northern Passenger Transport Service. Country Health has a Volunteer Transport program in Wallaroo that assists with transporting hospital patients to medical appointments, day care or dialysis appointments. Volunteer Transport is also available in Port Pirie for approved medical appointments.

Concern about In February 2017 the Premier appointed an Ice Taskforce to develop a rapid methamphetamine (“ice”) response to the growing use of ice in South Australia. The Taskforce held six use in the region roundtables across South Australia to hear ideas from stakeholders for policy and legislative measures to combat crystal methamphetamine. This included a roundtable in Port Pirie held during Country Cabinet. On 15 June 2017, the State Government announced that in line with the Taskforce’s recommendations $8 million will be invested over four years in the ‘Stop the Hurt’ strategy. The strategy includes measures to reduce supply and increased treatment, family support and education services to reduce the growth in ice use in South Australia.

Clare Valley emergency The South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) and State Emergency Service services require backup (SES) are aware of the Clare brigade and unit requests for auxiliary power power supply to be provided to the joint facilities complex. The Clare and Gilbert Valley Council has written to both CFS and SES Chief Officers seeking funding for auxiliary power capabilities.

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The State Government is investigating the requirements and cost of a suitable generator to service the complex. This is currently unfunded and will need to be considered in the context of the competing priorities of the CFS capital works program.

Concern about access to Housing SA provided more than $1.42 million in funding to Uniting Care social and emergency Wesley Country South Australia in 2016/17 to deliver the Yorke and Mid North housing on the Yorke Generic Homelessness Service. This service is based in Port Pirie with outreach Peninsula and in Clare offices in Clare and Kadina. The service provides homelessness support and accommodation, as well as intensive tenancy support to those at risk of eviction. Housing SA provides hotel/motel assistance as crisis accommodation throughout the Yorke and Mid North area. Housing SA also funds Uniting Care Wesley Country SA to provide crisis accommodation in Port Pirie and transitional accommodation in Kadina and Clare. Uniting Care Wesley Country South Australia received additional funding of $0.43 million in 2016/2017 to deliver the Yorke and Mid North Domestic Violence Service. The service is based in Port Pirie with outreach offices in Clare and Kadina, and provides support and accommodation for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence.

Accessing home loan finance HomeStart is a State Government organisation that provides home loans is difficult for some people in for South Australians. HomeStart’s deposit requirements vary in regional the Port Pirie area areas based on specific risk factors to the region, including property values, employment, local economic conditions and concentration risk. HomeStart’s minimum deposit for Port Pirie is currently 8 per cent (where the customer is eligible for our Graduate Loan, i.e. has Certificate III qualification or higher) or 10 per cent where the customer is not eligible for the Graduate Loan.

Demographic changes are The State Government funds several programs that may help address social reported to be contributing issues in Balaklava, including a Low Income Support Service, Emergency to social issues in the Financial Assistance and Financial Counselling through Lutheran Community Balaklava area Care and a youth service to build resilience and increase life skills through Northern Area Community and Youth Services. The Department for Communities and Social Inclusion will liaise with service providers in the region to better understand the issues impacting on the Balaklava community.

Significant demand $62,501 has been allocated for Financial Counselling Services in the Yorke for financial assistance, and Mid-North Region in 2017/18 as a result of a recent tender process. This income support and financial is an 11 per cent increase in funding for the program in this region. counselling services in the $34,752 has been allocated for an Emergency Financial Assistance Program region in the region in 2017/18, representing a 20 per cent increase in funding. The State Government will continue to monitor demand for these services in the region to inform future decision making and service planning.

Youth services, especially The State Government is currently finalising an offer to provide $20,000 for the 9 - 14 age group, are in funding to Uniting Care Wesley Country SA for their ShedLinx program, reportedly in short supply offered to 12 – 16 year old male students in Port Pirie who are not engaged throughout the region in mainstream education. The State Government also understands that the Port Pirie Youth Sector Network is exploring options for a new youth centre in Port Pirie. The State Government will continue to work with Uniting Care Wesley Country SA and the Port Pirie Youth Sector Network on initiatives to support young people in the region.

Concerns have been raised The Volunteering in South Australia in 2016 survey results show that regarding volunteering rates 68 per cent of the state’s population are involved in volunteering. Promoting in the region the benefits of volunteering to young people and providing them with volunteering opportunities is key to maintaining this strong volunteering rate.

19 COUNTRY CABINET Port Pirie, Yorke and Mid North

The State Government is working to promote and support uptake of the Volunteering and the Australian Curriculum project, designed to introduce the principles of volunteering to young students, in South Australian schools through the Volunteering Strategy for South Australia. The WeDo app, funded by the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, gives young people easy access to volunteering opportunities. The app also allows young people to keep a record of their volunteering, to help them gain employment. It can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

There are concerns about the The State Government projects enrolment numbers in the Wakefield future of a number of smaller Regional Council area to remain stable. schools in the Wakefield The Department for Education and Child Development runs a Voluntary Regional Council area with Amalgamations Program. It allows schools and preschools that choose to shrinking enrolments amalgamate to receive the full sale price of any property sold under the process, plus three years of recurrent savings. This program is entirely voluntary, and amalgamations only proceed where parent communities vote in support of amalgamation after extensive consultation. Brinkworth Kindergarten and Brinkworth Primary School are at the consultation stage of a voluntary amalgamation process. Snowtown Kindergarten voluntarily amalgamated with Snowtown Primary School in 2015.

It is reported that facilities Balaklava High School has received $6,370,000 in capital funding and $730,000 at Balaklava High School in maintenance provisions over the last seven financial years. The school will need upgrading continue to be assessed as part of the annual process for capital works funding. The Department for Education and Child Development is arranging for removal of building 19 at Balaklava High School’s request. The department will work with the school to look into removal of other old unused buildings.

Staff retention is an issue The State Government provides incentives for teachers and leaders to take at Kadina Memorial School up positions in country sites, including additional salary, rental assistance and country zone allowances. The creation of Partnerships in 2014 encouraged staff to take up positions in neighbouring towns and schools, which has improved the leadership capacity in many country schools. The Department for Education and Child Development’s People and Culture Division will work with Kadina Memorial School to address their particular staff development and retention concerns.

Child care services are In March 2017, the Commonwealth Government announced the Community Child reportedly limited outside Care Fund under the Jobs for Families Child Care Package. This is expected to of Port Pirie offer sufficient funding certainty to allow the development of new services. Once the State Government receives further details of this package, the Department of Education and Child Development is poised to establish additional rural care programs where there is a viable demand for services. Child care demand surveys will be conducted in communities that have expressed a need for child care, including Port Broughton and Crystal Brook as a priority. Other developments for child care in the region include: • A third party provider will commence delivery of Out of School Hours Care at Crystal Brook Primary School on 24 July 2017, offering before school care, after school care and vacation care. • There is also an applicant working through the induction program to become a registered family day care educator in Crystal Brook.

Limited childcare options in The Port Broughton Area School governing council undertook an Out of School Port Broughton is making it Hours Care needs survey of their school community in 2016. The survey difficult to attract new aged indicated that an average of 8 children would use the service per day, and care staff to the area calculated a proposed fee schedule to operating a viable OSHC service. After testing the proposed fee schedule with families, there was insufficient demand to sustain an OSHC service at the school and a service is no longer being pursued. 20 State Government Response /YourFutureSA

Primary Production, Environment and Water

Primary production is a mainstay of the region’s economy. Local farmers are seeking to increase their productive capacity and support for long-term investment. Coastal protection is a critical issue for sustainable coastal living and marine productivity in large parts of the region. There is also a need to balance protecting the natural environment with realising economic development opportunities across the region, including tourism.

Key Issues Our Response

Grape growers in the Clare The State Government is working with the Clare Region Wine Grape Growers Valley seek a longer term Association to ensure it has the resources it needs to enter into negotiations water purchasing agreement with SA Water to develop a long term arrangement for off-peak water over the summer months, using SA Water infrastructure. A three-year trial for the current arrangement commenced in 2015, using spare capacity in SA Water’s network to transport water for irrigators at a reduced price during the summer period. The three year trial will inform terms and conditions for a longer term arrangement for the scheme. The State Government and the Northern Yorke NRM Board will review the Clare Valley Water Allocation Plan in 2019. The Plan facilitates the use of imported water in a manner that does not impact on productive capacity of land or native water resources.

Potential to expand A draft Aquaculture (Zones - Eastern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Policy 2017 and aquaculture in the draft Policy Report were released for public consultation in late 2016. Two public Copper Coast meetings on this issue were also held on the Yorke Peninsula in October 2016. The State Government received valuable feedback from different stakeholder groups on the proposed changes to the species and areas permitted for farming. Primary Industry and Regions SA incorporated the feedback into the final Aquaculture (Zones - Eastern Spencer Gulf) Amendment Policy 2017 and coordinated the formal referral processes to prescribed bodies required by the Aquaculture Act 2001. The review is now complete and the final policy was gazetted on 20 June 2017.

Moratorium on genetically The moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops is key to the State modified crops is a concern for Government’s Premium Food and Wine from our Clean Environment and Exported some farmers in the region to the World economic priority. A recent study undertaken by the University of Adelaide Global Food and Resources Group, indicates the potential for the total global market for non-GMO labelled foods and beverages to double by 2019. Global food trends also indicate that discerning consumers are increasingly seeking foods which are 'naturally healthy', have a 'clean' label with simple ingredients (including non-GM), and have identifiable provenance linking consumers to producers. The moratorium on GM crops will remain in place until at least 2019.

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Decision to block access The State Government is working with the District Council of Mount Remarkable for recreational fishing on a number of other tourism opportunities in the council area. These are being at Baroota Reservoir formalised in a Tourism Investment Readiness Plan. For example, the Ride the is impacting tourism Mount project will see the development of a number of mountain bike trails opportunities in the Council area. The transfer of Native Forest areas at Wirrabara will also create a number of nature based tourism opportunities in the area. A large portion of the Baroota Reservoir Reserve is Aboriginal held land. It is very significant to the Nukunu traditional owners from a cultural heritage perspective. Whilst the reservoir reserve is not formally registered as a site under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1998 (the Act), the Act still prohibits actions that disturb, damage or interfere with Aboriginal heritage, whether registered or not. Nukunu representatives have expressed significant concerns in regard to a number of potential cultural heritage impacts that could result from recreational fishing access. Extensive discussions have been held with the Nukunu community to see if these concerns can be addressed. Nukunu representatives have indicated strong opposition to any public access to the reservoir. The Government is investigating shore based recreational fishing at Beetaloo Reservoir and Aroona Dam with the review to be completed by the end of 2017. The State Government has granted a permit to allow RecFishSA to release juvenile native fish fingerlings into the Baroota reservoir, which would allow for future recreational fishing activities to occur if community access issues can be resolved.

Coastal erosion on the Yorke The Yorke Peninsula Council has a disproportionate number of vulnerable Peninsula is reportedly coastal settlements compared to the state’s other seaside councils and most of impacting on holiday shacks them are ‘holiday shack’ settlements. Storm surge events in 2016 exacerbated in some areas coastal erosion hazard risks for many properties on the west coast of the Yorke Peninsula. The State Government has provided advice to the council, communities and landholders on preparing erosion protection strategies and supports the Yorke Peninsula Council and its communities to prepare site specific or settlement-wide coastal hazard protection strategies. Given the limited setback of many dwellings from seaward private property boundaries, undertaking coordinated protection works partly or wholly on Crown land is often the only alternative. This is acceptable provided any proposal complies with Coast Protection Board and Crown Land policies and appropriate tenure agreements are entered into. The State Government is developing Guidelines for Private Coastal Erosion Protection Strategies in South Australia. The Guidelines will assist landowners to understand the process, roles and responsibilities to prepare and implement a coastal erosion protection strategy to protect private property. The Guideline specifically responds to the increasing need for private seawalls, often on public land.

There are reports of Northern and Yorke Region, Department of Environment, Water and increasing numbers of Natural Resources, provides practical assistance to landholders to help dingoes in some areas manage wild dog numbers including: • training in trapping of wild dogs • raising awareness of wild dog sightings • providing a 1080 bait injection service • providing commercially prepared wild dog baits. While the Northern and Yorke Region has no plans to employ a dog trapper, it works collaboratively with SA Arid Lands Region, which is currently recruiting a staff member dedicated to wild dog management.

22 State Government Response /YourFutureSA

Snapper fishing closures An annual state-wide snapper fishing closure occurs from 1 November negatively impacting tourism to 15 December to protect the species from fishing activity during spawning. and commercial fishing in In 2016, South Australian Research and Development Institute Aquatic Sciences Port Broughton released the latest Snapper Fishery Assessment Report, which detailed analysis of the current biological performance of the South Australian snapper fishery up to December 2015. The report assigned the Spencer Gulf/West Coast stock as ‘transitional depleting’. Transitional depleting indicated the biomass is not yet overfished, but fishing pressure is too high and moving the stock in the direction of becoming overfished. As a result, a number of additional management measures have been introduced. These management arrangements are designed to ensure the long term sustainability of snapper stocks. If these arrangements were not implemented, there would be a significant risk of snapper stocks becoming overfished, with negative regional economic and tourism impacts. The State Government will continue to monitor the status of South Australian snapper stocks and review management arrangements when new information becomes available.

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