Alexandrina Council Newsletter Autumn Edition, 2015 Fringe Caravan Delights Goolwa The Fringe Caravan rolled into Goolwa in March, delighting local families and visitors. The large crowd was captivated by the fantastic free acts at Jeralde Park. The Fringe visited Goolwa as part of Council’s Just Add Water arts program. For more information about Council’s Just Add Water program, visit www.alexandrina. sa.gov.au/JAW.

Fleurieu Regional Food Safety Celebrating Top Spot for Aquatic Centre Training Strathalbyn Birdwatchers Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 8

11 Cadell Street (PO Box 21) Goolwa SA 5214 www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au T 08 8555 7000 F 08 8555 3603 E [email protected] Message from Mayor Keith Parkes NBN: connect to a

Welcome to the Autumn Council better future newsletter. I trust you all had a safe The National Broadband Network (NBN) and relaxing Easter break with your is Australia’s new network for fixed line families and friends. phone and internet services. NBN Co.’s We have had some fantastic events aim is to give you access to fast, reliable in the region over and affordable services from a range of the summer months. One of these providers. events was the 2015 SA Wooden Rollout momentum continues with great Boat Festival, held in February. The news for the Alexandrina Council. The event was a huge success and I would following communities can now connect like to thank everyone involved in the to NBN high speed services: coordination of the event. • Strathalbyn via fixed line technology We had some very warm weather • Clayton Bay & surrounds via fixed again over the two days, but this did wireless technology Federal and State governments for the not stop residents and visitors flocking reinstatement of pension concessions • Currency Creek & surrounds via to the Goolwa Wharf to enjoy the for rates. Council rate concessions fixed wireless technology boats and other activities. were previously part funded by both • Goolwa surrounds via fixed wireless One particular highlight was the the Federal and State Government. technology fireworks on the Saturday night, with The Federal Government axed Fixed Wireless services for Milang and many commenting that they were the $27.7 million in concessions funding Strathalbyn surrounds will follow shortly. best fireworks they had ever seen! across SA in May 2014. The State Goolwa and Hindmarsh Island are to be In late March we also celebrated the Government covered this shortfall incorporated in the 2016/2017 fixed line Strathalbyn 175th Commemorative for 12 months, however announced it rollout of the NBN and NBN Co continue events. The family picnic and movie would cut all council rate concessions to work toward rollout across other was a fantastic night that was from 1 July 2015. areas of Alexandrina Council. celebrated by many people. Thank Funding for Alexandrina Council The move to the NBN is not automatic you to everyone who came along for pensioner concessions is – contact your preferred telephone or and made this event such a success. approximately $600,000 per internet service provider, or NBN Co at It was a bit chilly but still very well annum and 19 per cent of Council’s www.nbnco.com.au, call 1800 687 626 attended. ratepayers receive these concessions or email [email protected] Council is currently busily working on (approximately 3,400 ratepayers). An Open Invitation - NBN Community its 2015/2016 Annual Business Plan I ask you to please continue to lobby Information Forum - Strathalbyn and Budget. This is a huge process our State and Federal MPs. The and we are continually looking at NBN Co in cooperation with the more voices that speak up, the more ways to reduce our expenditure while Alexandrina Council is holding an NBN powerful our message – Council rate still maintaining services. – Get Connected information session concessions need to be maintained to coincide with the availability of both The draft Annual Business Plan by the Federal and State governments fixed line and fixed wireless high speed and Budget will soon be released for those that receive pension broadband services. for consultation and I urge all of our concessions in our community. More When: Wednesday, 3rd June 7pm – residents to take a look and also to information is available at Council’s 8:30pm provide Council with any feedback. website (www.alexandrina.sa.gov. This is a vital part of the budgeting au/pensionconcession) or at Council Where: Strathalbyn Library Community process. Keep your eye on Council’s Offices at Goolwa and Strathalbyn. Centre, 1 Colman Terrace, Strathalbyn website (www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au) No need to RSVP – please simply and also advertisements in your local drop by to have all of your NBN-related newspaper. questions answered. Council is continuing to lobby the Mayor Keith Parkes Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre The Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre $20-21 million. However, there will be Key Milestones project is a joint initiative of the opportunities for further cost saving July 2014 - Architectural and Design Alexandrina Council and the City of through value management processes Services Tender Awarded Victor Harbor. and the construction tender. February 2015 - Design of the facilty finalised The project involves the construction of Both councils have budgeted to April 2015 - Construction tender an environmentally sustainable indoor contribute up to $6.5 million each to the July 2015 - Construction due to commence aquatic centre comprising: project with $7.5 million in funding from March 2017 - Facility operational • an 8 lane, 25 metre swimming pool the Federal Government’s Community • a multi-use program pool (suitable Development Grants Programme and for program / fitness classes and $500,000 from the State Government’s the design functionality and operations learn-to-swim) Community Recreation and Sport of the aquatic centre. • a warm water pool (or rehabilitation Facilities Program. Elected Members from Alexandrina facility) Extensive community consultation was and City of Victor Harbor councils also • a crèche facility undertaken between 2001 and 2013. participated in three joint workshops to • a commercial kiosk In 2013 the Alexandrina and Victor provide feedback on the design and • plant and equipment rooms Harbor communities were provided functionality of the facility. • office accommodation an opportunity to consider concept Due to feedback received through • dedicated change rooms and toilet plans for the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic meetings of the Community Reference facilities Centre and the financial commitment Group, Elected Members and • first aid and lifeguard rooms required to deliver the project. Of the consultation with experienced centre • dedicated car parking, bus parking, 1959 respondents to the consultation, operators a number of valuable pedestrian linkages 72% supported the project. A detailed additions and changes were made to • and traffic management. analysis of this consultation is the design of the aquatic centre. The councils adopted the preliminary available for public viewing at www. Floor plans and concept images for design for the aquatic centre in fleurieuaquaticcentre.com.au. the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre December 2014. In addition to this consultation, a project are available for viewing online The latest cost estimate indicates Community Reference Group was at www.fleurieuaquaticcentre.com.au the project is valued in the vicinity of established in 2014 to provide input into or from Council Offices. www.fleurieuaquaticcentre.com.au Food Safety Training for Local Business In February 2015 Council’s able to pick up updated information have you registered a Food Business Environmental Health team ran a TAFE of how important health, hygiene and Notification form with Council? Have accredited Food Safety Course. good practice are and was extremely your details changed? beneficial for those new to food This course was extremely well If so, visit www.alexandrina.sa.gov. handling. attended by food businesses from au and download a Food Business across the Council area and interested The course addressed: Notification form today. volunteer groups, with 45 people taking • Legal requirements of food safety Having correct and up-to-date up the opportunity to improve their food information on Council’s systems safety knowledge. • Preventing food spoilage means when courses are delivered, If you are interested in undertaking this • Pests and Waste Control or information needs to be distributed, course in the future, please contact the • Cause & Effect of food poisoning Council can easily contact you. Environmental Health team at Council Don’t forget that Council also has free on 8555 7000. • Food handling practices, and food safety training on the Alexandrina The food safety course was a great • Storage of food and personal Council website called ‘I’m Alert’. refresher for those businesses that hygiene This is training that you can do at your regularly handle food. Attendees were If you handle/prepare food for sale, own pace, for free! Green Army Program to Deliver Environmental Solutions for Council The Green Army is a nationwide and will be focussing on improving Creek and Dawson Creeks. Government Environmental Program native vegetation in Council’s urban Work undertaken by the Green Army which gives 17 to 24 year olds who biodiversity assets within the townships team will complement the work of three are interested in protecting their local of Goolwa and Strathalbyn. well-established community groups, environment hands on skills, accredited The Green Army will undertake Goolwa Coastcare, the Angas River training and experience. restoration works at selected project Catchment Group and Trees for Life This will improve their future career sites to improve the condition and “Bush for Life”. prospects while giving real and lasting resilience of local biodiversity corridors, For further information regarding The benefits for the local environment. the Goolwa Beach Urban Biodiversity Green Army, please contact Council’s The Green Army team will be working Network, and the Strathalbyn Angas Environmental Project Officer on 8555 between April and August 2015 River Corridor, including the Middle 7000 or [email protected]. 175 Event Recognises History of Strathalbyn A great crowd attended the successful Strathalbyn 175 event in late March. The event was held to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the town of Strathalbyn. The night was celebrated with a community picnic, children’s activities Chris Luscombe, Mary Laslett, Pam Luscombe, Jean McCormick , Sue Hoskins, and an outdoor screening of Mary Anne Hartnett, Merri Tothill, Heather Bean, Caroline Intervera and Pam Cottle at the Strathalbyn 175 event. Poppins.

Prior to colonial settlement in Victor Harbor and Murray Bridge. and largely self-sufficient. Strathalbyn, the Peramangk and In the 1840s to 1870s, Strathalbyn was With a busy horse coach service, the Ngarrindjeri people shared the lands. on the main intercolonial route from town was the hub of many services Strathalbyn was founded in 1839 by to Melbourne, via Aldgate, radiating in all directions. Scots, who came out on the Fairfield. Echunga, Macclesfield and Wellington. In 1879, when ’s first This was the most direct route to Strathalbyn began as an agricultural bridge was built over the Murray Melbourne and in the 1850s many community, and by the late 1860s it River, the trade route changed and people passed this way heading was one of the largest agricultural bypassed Strathalbyn and Wellington. towns in the colony. to the Victorian goldfields, on foot, horseback or by coach. Over the years Strathalbyn has Until the early 1900s, Strathalbyn was continued to grow with the population By the 1870s, Strathalbyn was a as big as Mount Barker and bigger than now over 6000. flourishing and rapidly growing town

Dads and Kids Dinners Lend a Hand at Currency Creek Cemetery Working Bee Alexandrina Council, through its OPAL Program, is holding Dads and The Friends of the Currency Creek The Friends of the Currency Creek Kids Dinners at local kindys. Cemetery hold regular working bees at Cemetery would love to see you there. the cemetery. Interested members of Why come along? Alexandrina Council wishes to thank the community are encouraged to come the existing volunteers for the valued • Hang out with the kids along and lend a hand. contribution to the Currency Creek • Cook and eat a delicious dinner Upcoming Working Bees will be held on: Cemetery and encourages interested • Social and fun activities Saturday 16 May members of the community that have an interest in the Currency Creek • Mum gets a night off Saturday 18 July Cemetery, local history, gardening or These will be held at the Goolwa Saturday 19 September Children’s Centre and Strathalbyn general maintenance type work to get Saturday 21 November Kindergarten. involved and check out the next working Working bees commence at 9am and bee. For further information, and to find usually wrap up by 11.30am. Morning out dates, visit www.alexandrina. For further information, please contact tea is also supplied by the volunteers. sa.gov.au/OPAL. Alexandrina Council on 8555 7000. Movie Day to Recognise Volunteers Established in 1989, National Volunteer Week is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our community and to say thank you to the more than 6 million Australians who volunteer. More than 6 million Australian volunteers give happiness to others each year, and research says that those volunteers are happier as a result. So this National Volunteer Week (11- 17 May 2015), help us make Australia the happiest place on earth, by giving as much of your time as you can. Give Happy. Live Happy. Volunteering contributes to social inclusion. It can help reduce feelings of personal isolation, offer people skills, social contacts and support a greater sense of self worth. Alexandrina Council is very fortunate in that it has a large and extremely dedicated volunteer support base. This event is open to ALL volunteers in the Alexandrina Council has over 300 dedicated volunteers that donate Council region and there is a free bottle of water and popcorn their time in areas such as the library, the visitor information for all volunteers. centres and community programs, to name a few. To claim your movie voucher simply fill in an online survey As part of National Volunteers Week, Council is jointly available from Council Offices or on Council’s website www. hosting a FREE Volunteer Movie Day on Friday 15 May. alexandrina.sa.gov.au/volunteering. Alexandrina Visitor Services

Incorporating the Goolwa & Strathalbyn Council Finalist in Visitor Information Centres. The Visitor Information Centres stock a wide range Local Government Awards of tourist information for the region as well as regional guides and maps for the Alexandrina Council is proud to have been nominated as rest of South Australia. Locally and a Finalist in the Local Government Professionals 2015 Australian made souvenirs and gifts. Leadership Excellence Awards. The information and booking office for Alexandrina Two Council projects have been nominated in the category Council’s Just Add Water - Arts and Culture of Innovative Management Initiatives – Rural Councils (Small Program. and Large). We are also a Booking Agent for: local tours & The Work Health and Safety and Procurement Intranet teams cruises, accommodation in South Australia, devised ‘one stop shops’ as interactive internal sources Coorong & Murray River of advice consistent with legislative requirements and the cruising, Coorong National Park Camping Permits & Alexandrina Council Food Surveillance Training, Induction Kangaroo Island tours and accommodation and Mentoring Program who supported new staff in highly packages. technical areas of knowledge. The winners are to be announced in late-April 2015, along with Goolwa Strathalbyn the Local Government Professionals Management Challenge 1300 466 592 1300 007 842 which Alexandrina Council has also entered. www.visitalexandrina.com Stormwater Upgrade Port Elliot Council field staff have recently completed works at Lakala Reserve to improve systems and cater for larger stormwater flows. Rosetta Terrace and Young Street Port Elliot, located in the near vicinity of Lakala Reserve, were subject to frequent inundation of stormwater, which was caused due to inadequate underground drainage. Lakala Reserve and its existing stormwater retention basins, being the lowest point of the surrounding land, take stormwater from approximately half of the Port Elliot township. Extensive investigation and designs were undertaken by Council’s Infrastructure Planning and Design team to determine means by which the existing stormwater retention basins could cope with a 100-year flood event, without endangering local properties. The solution comprised of a large mobile pump to lower water levels Connecting our Community within the basins overflow to the roads during larger storm events, Alexandrina Council continues to a laugh together,” said one program significantly enlarged underground provide quality services to older people participant. in the community. pipes and inlets were installed. The program also provides in-home Works were completed in late- The Alexandrina Council COMMUNITY services for those who may require some February 2015. CONNECT program was reviewed assistance to stay at home, transport for by the Australian Aged Care Quality those who are no longer driving and a Did You Know? Agency in February 2015 and the team variety of social support options. achieved a 100 per cent result. Council’s Planning Department had COMMUNITY CONNECT is an a busy year in 2014! Some of the This program demonstrates the benefits innovative program that gives statistics include: of developing a professional team opportunities for people to get involved • Total development applications working within National Standards to and contribute. deliver services of the highest quality to – 1239 This quality aged care service empowers our communities. • Value of building work - $82.22 people to get out and make a difference million People who receive services through to themselves and their community. COMMUNITY CONNECT have said that • New dwellings – 295 Over 500 residents have benefited by being involved in programs like Keep • Building inspections undertaken from their involvement with Community Fit and Yoga, their lives have changed - 350 Connect and over 20,000 hours of and their overall health and wellbeing services have been provided in the last • Days to obtain an approval - 9 has improved. year. • 6,790 phone calls – equates “I feel stronger, more mobile and I have to 59% of all calls received at To find out more, please contact also made many new friends. We have Council Community Connect on 8555 7230. Kessell Road Ponds - a Birdwatcher’s Delight Council’s commitment to water This important water saving initiative and for ducks and swans in the deeper sensitive urban design and biodiversity significantly reduces Council’s reliance water. Many land-based birds such as conservation come together at the on the fragile River Murray system - the parrots, honeyeaters and raptors are Kessell Road Ponds in Goolwa to wetland and adjacent storage lagoon also seen here. create a birdwatcher’s delight. can hold up to 70 megalitres of recycled Council extends our thanks to Wendy stormwater which is equivalent to 28 The Kessell Road Ponds were Phillips, Bob Daly, Peter Gower and Olympic-size swimming pools. constructed in 2011 and are an integral Keith Jones of Fleurieu Birdwatchers part of Goolwa’s recycled stormwater The Fleurieu Birdwatchers have for their advice and assistance with irrigation network. This re vegetated been conducting regular bi-monthly recent improvements to the bird hide, wetland acts as a storage and filtration bird counts at the ponds since May including new seats and interpretive system for stormwater collected via 2011 and since that time over 90 signage. The new signage includes township detention ponds. Stormwater species of birds have been spotted many wonderful photos of birds you are harvested during the winter period here. Summer is the busiest time of likely to see and birds you might see. If is stored and cleansed on Kessell year. Over summer, water depth in the visiting the ponds, please remember to Road and then pumped back into the ponds varies from very shallow at the leave your dogs at home or keep them township to irrigate Council parks, edges to much deeper in the centre. on a leash at all times so as to avoid gardens and recreational spaces This provides a range of suitable disturbing the birds. during summer. habitat for wading birds on the fringes Wastewater Manholes Just Add Water Keeps Flowing and Pumping Stations Just Add Water is the central focal In May, look out for Jade Hurley, the As part of Council’s commitment to point for arts and culture within the undisputed ‘King’ of Country and Rock providing sustainable wastewater Alexandrina region. Just Add Water ‘N’ Roll music in Australasia. Hurley will management systems; it has been aspires to offer arts and cultural be playing at Centenary Hall in Goolwa recognised as part of Council’s experiences that enrich the lives of on Saturday 16 May. Renewal Program that a number of residents and visitors alike. Whether wastewater manholes and pumping Black Screen, a Reconciliation Week through direct participation in projects stations required rehabilitation works. event, will also be held at Centenary such as the annual Drawing on Council has engaged the services Hall, on Wednesday 27 May. Each year Country events across townships in of Plumbing and Pipeline Solutions Black Screen offers a great collection Alexandrina, theatrical and musical to undertake these works on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offerings from Centenary Hall or visits of Council. Work commenced in films. Tickets for both shows, and more to Signal Point Gallery and the South Strathalbyn in February 2015, with information, is available from Goolwa Coast Regional Art Centre, the program works continuing in Goolwa and Port Visitor Information Centre on 1300 466 offers something to tempt everyone. Elliot. 592 or www.visitalexandrina.com.