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 Alexandrina Council 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