Once again, the Limestone Coast has been delivered another slap in the face from the federal Labor government, as its ‘Growing Regions’ program fails to acknowledge our community’s needs.
The vital projects that have gone unfunded include the redevelopment of the Mount Gambier Saleyards, upgrades to Don Moseley Park in Keith, and projects at Ryder-Cheshire in Mount Gambier and the Bordertown Speedway Clubrooms.
But any criticism directed at the federal government should not let the state leadership off the hook.
Premier Peter Malinauskas and Minister Clare Scriven have shown they either have no power to convince their Canberra colleagues to secure federal funding for our region or they simply don’t care enough to try.
This failure is incredibly disappointing for the significant economic development projects such as the Mount Gambier Saleyards upgrades, which would have had tremendous potential for the region’s prosperity.
The ongoing exclusion of the Limestone Coast from vital funding programs is not just a matter of neglect but a pressing issue that demands immediate attention from the Premier and his Regional Development Minister, Clare Scriven.
It is only by a shear miracle that the $4.3m allocated to establish a radiotherapy service in the Limestone Coast, initially allocated by the former Liberal government, remains in the budget. However, Health Minister Chris Picton is still making our community wait for a feasibility study before making any kind of decision.
Quite frankly, the resilience and patience of our local community is being severely tested as we hope for a shift in priorities that will finally recognise and address our needs.
Until then, we will just have to watch from afar as Peter Malinauskas injects more money into the bread and circuses he seems to solely focus on.
Ben Hood
Member of the Legislative Council
Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional South Australia
