Morialta Matters News from John Gardner MP Issue 31 Autumn 2020

Dear Residents At a recent public meeting in Woodside, Hills Mayor, Jan-Claire Wisdom, said it well: ‘While we may have seen the worst of nature in recent events, we have seen the best of humanity’. During our recent bushfires, which hit our Morialta area hard, CFS volunteers from around SA and far beyond put their lives on hold to support people they’d never met. A number of our local brigades – fresh from exhausting work on the fires – then provided volunteers to help our fellow South Australians on Kangaroo Island. Many farm firefighters did amazing work not just to save their own properties, but their neighbours’ and others’ too. And hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers have been supporting families and primary producers in the recovery effort. People are donating generously to support both our CFS and people who have suffered significant impact from the fires. At the time of writing the South Australian Bushfire Appeal has raised about $6 million and growing. It is just one of a range of funds but I draw attention to it because it is guaranteed to deliver every cent raised to people most impacted by the Cudlee Creek and Kangaroo Island fires. If you would like to donate, visit www.dhs.sa.gov.au/services/disaster-recovery/bushfireappeal. Every government department is involved in one way or another in supporting recovery. A range of announcements have been made already about specific measures, and some information about those is contained in this edition. Immediate action has been taken to promote new tourism campaigns. As Education Minister, for example, I have worked with the Department to deliver waiving of school fees, provision of free replacement uniforms, and extra supports for schools impacted by the fires. The direction of these efforts is strongly informed by the local Cudlee Creek Bushfire Recovery Committee, led by our outstanding coordinator Alex Zimmermann. The Committee has been meeting weekly since late December and includes all the local MPs and Mayors, local community and industry representatives, and officers from a range of agencies supporting the recovery. You can stay in touch with the latest information that might affect you through the DHS Cudlee Creek Fire Recovery website. If you have been impacted by the fire, be sure to register your circumstances by visiting the Recovery Centre to make sure you don’t miss out on support for which you may be eligible.

Electorate Offi ce Ministerial Offi ce - 163 St Bernards Road - Level 9, 31 Flinders Street Rostrevor 5073 Adelaide 5000 - (08) 8365 4224 - (08) 8226 1205 - [email protected] - [email protected] /JohnGardnerMP CUDLEE CREEK BUSHFIRES Lobethal Recovery Centre communities and businesses devastated by the Cudlee Creek bushfire continue to be supported by the ‘one-stop shop’ Recovery Centre in Lobethal. If you’ve been impacted by the fires in any way please drop by the centre, register your details and have a chat to one of the dedicated team members. These staff can take you through the range of grants avaliable to support effected residents. businesses and primary producers - and help ensure that you receive any for which you are eligible The centre is for practical support and advice as our community begins the recovery process and has already proved to be an invaluable resource for emergency information. The centre combines the resources of Federal, State and Local Government, as well as community organisations. The agencies represented will evolve to meet the changing needs of the community as the recovery process continues. Importantly, the recovery centre also welcomes those impacted by the Kangaroo Island fires. An outreach team is available to visit your home. If you know someone who is unable to come to the centre please speak with the recovery team or indeed a member of my staff who may be able to arrange a home visit.

Bush re investigation underway Have your say! An independent review is underway into the 2019/20 bushfire season with a focus on the Kangaroo Island and Cudlee Creek bushfires. To ensure that our State is as prepared as possible for the future we invite all affected community members to have their say. Members of the public are invited to provide input to the review via email or a written submission. An online portal is now avaliable for members of the public to provide input to the review. Volunteers associations, Unions, staff and volunteers of Fire and Emergency Services and associated agencies will also be invited to provide feedback and written submissions. You can provide your feedback by: • Using the 2019-2020 Bushfire Review Consultation portal - https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/ decisions/yoursay-engagements-independent-re- view-sa-s-2019-20-bushfire-season/about • Emailing: Bushfi[email protected] • Mailing your submission to: SA Fire & Emergency Services Commission South Australian 2019-2020 Bushfire Review GPO Box 2706 Adelaide SA 5001

Photos thanks to the CFS Promotions Unit CUDLEE CREEK BUSHFIRES Waste clean up The State Government is investing significant support towards clean-up activities to ensure efficient and safe removal of debris to minimise risks and impacts to public health and safety and harm to the environment or community well-being. The urgent areas for priority response have been the safe management and removal of asbestos, CCA treated timber (‘permapine’) and ash and hazardous chemicals like pesticide, herbicide and fertiliser, but the support has now been expended much more broadly. Contractors have been on the ground treating those properties confirmed to contain asbestos with a non-hazardous gel that traps the asbestos dust until it can be safely removed. Detailed assessments are also being completed to look at the most effective ways to remove bushfire waste in the affected regions. Where possible, the State Government will recover, reuse and recycle things like rubble, brick and metal roofing, shed sheeting and even fencing wire, to divert salvageable resources from landfill. Anyone affected by the bushfires who needs help with the clean-up of debris is encouraged to register their needs (if they havent already) through the Green Industries SA website at greenindustries.sa.gov.au/register-your-waste-needs. Small business loans Small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations in SA impacted by the recent bushfires are being invited to apply to the State Government for concessional loans to assist them rebuild or continue operating while the regions recover. The loans, of up to $500,000, will be available to support eligible businesses restore and replace assets and property that have been significantly damaged in the fires, on Kangaroo Island and at Cudlee Creek, as well as other SA regions, including Keilira in the state’s South-East and at Yorketown on the Yorke Peninsula. The loans – of up to 10 years – are interest-free for the first 2 years with no repayments required over that period (2 years). A subsequent concessional interest rate will apply, equivalent to 50 per cent of the Commonwealth bond rate (currently equivalent to less than 1.0 per cent). There will be no fees, charges or administration costs. Eligible businesses will operate in the local government areas of Kangaroo Island, Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker, Murray Bridge, Mid Murray, Kingston and Yorke Peninsula. To enquire about eligibility criteria for the concessional loans and associated terms and conditions, businesses are invited to email [email protected] or visit the website business.sa.gov.au

Cudlee Creek Bushfi re Recovery Committee BUSHFIRE RECOVERY CONTACT INFORMATION

Grants for sporting clubs The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing recently announced bushfire recovery grants of up to $10,000 for incorporated sporting clubs affected by the bushfire. The payments can be accessed immediately and can be used for various initiatives such as drawing up plans or replacing damaged equipment. Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard has announced the grants to provide a helping hand to organisations faced with the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding. Any incorporated sport organisation affected by the fires is welcome to apply. To complete an application visit bit.ly/SAsportsgrant or phone 1300 714 990 for more information. COMMUNITY Gumeracha Main Street Project update The Gumeracha Main Street Project continues to evolve, bringing life to the main street. Tireless work by the Main Street Project Working Party, plus many others in the community who volunteer, has contributed to the success of this project. Award-winning Landscape Architect and Artist Paul Herzich has been selected from more than 15 artists to create the major public art project on the 170m wall on the city side of town. Paul’s proposal will incorporate a combination of sand blasted and hand painted elements that reflect Aboriginal cultural stories around the Torrens and Onkaparinga Rivers. The work is scheduled to be completed by April. In addition undergrounding powerlines stage 1 and 2 have been confirmed, and works began in February. This attracted more than $250,000 in grants to go towards streetscaping works after powerlines go underground. These works are expected to be completed this year. Great co-operation between the Working Party, volunteers, Council and Government instrumentalities and of course the community continues to lead this exciting project.

Paradise Park ‘n’ Ride upgrade As promised during the election, the improvements to Paradise Interchange are underway! The concept design proposes to increase the number of car parking spaces from 458 to 818 (including nine Disability compliant parks), an increase of 360 car parking spaces. In addition, provision has been made for 20 motorcycle and bicycle parking spaces. This exceeds the election commitment of delivering a total of 775 car spaces. Construction works started near the end of 2019 with the first works including vegetation removal, fencing of the site and underground service relocation works. The project team has considered a range of factors in preparing this design, including: • maximising the number of new parking spaces; • minimising impacts on trees and vegetation; • maintaining safe and efficient bus operation; • responding to the local urban character and built form; and • enhancing pedestrian and cycle access. Tree-planting, landscaping and buffer zones will be provided around the new car parking to maintain the green amenity of the Park ‘n’ Ride and provide shade and fauna habitat. Every effort will be made to minimise impacts to nearby residents, O-Bahn users, cyclists, pedestrians and other road users as much as possible during construction. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, weather permitting. To find out more about the Paradise Park ‘n’ Ride Project, you can contact the project team on 1300 705 992.

South Para Reservoir open for kayaking and shing The Marshall Liberal Government is proud to be delivering on another election commitment which will bolster activities in the community. The South Para Reservoir is officially open for kayaking, fishing and cycling, a move set to boost tourism and benefit local businesses. Hundreds of people from all over recently converged on the reservoir (just south of the Barossa Valley) to help celebrate the milestone at a community event. Opening reservoirs at other locations around South Australia has proven to be an outstanding success, strengthening the South Australian economy and growing jobs. Importantly, appropriate steps have been take to ensure that water quality is not compromised. As a government we’ve made significant inroads in opening reservoirs for public access, and we’re certainly not slowing down, with fishing now available at Myponga and community feedback being sought as we prepare to open the gates at Hope Valley and Happy Valley reservoir reserves too. SOUTH AUSTRALIA Water bill relief Tens of thousands of South Australian households will receive up to $426 off their annual water and sewerage bill through State Government concessions designed to help ease cost of living pressures – and people are being urged to see if they are eligible for the relief. Currently, about 180,000 households receive up to $310.70 annually off their water rates. About 150,000 households also receive a $115.90 sewerage concession, bringing total water and sewerage State Government concessions to more than $54 million in 2019-20. If you would like to find out if you are eligible please go to www.sa.gov.au/concessions or call the Concessions SA hotline on 1800 307 758.

Cheaper electricity prices on the way Two separate reports by electricity regulators have signalled electricity prices in South Australia are set to reduce for households and businesses this year. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has determined that the default market offer for electricity, which replaced “standing offers” as the backstop for those who are not on market contracts, will be cut by between 4.4 per cent and 7.1 per cent for households and small businesses respectively. As a result of AER’s ruling more than 75,000 South Australian households and small businesses are set to receive significant cuts in their electricity bills from July 1 this year. Households on the default market offer will save $85 per year on their electricity bills. Households with controlled loads will save $138 a year. Small businesses will pocket an average savings of $691 per annum.

You are invited to attend the Tea Tree Gully Kiwanis information Night on the 18th of May 2020. Come along and learn more about what your local Kiwanis club can do for you. For more information and registration details please contact Barry on 0411 481 559 or Greg on 0401 684 164!