The high-profile visit last week coincided with the State Government’s Country Cabinet meeting in Wallaroo.
Barunga West Council Mayor Leonie Kerley said the separate visit by the Premier and two of his senior Ministers was a fantastic opportunity for councillors and staff to showcase what has been delivered with the assistance of government funding, along with the progress of the $23 million Fisherman Bay upgrade project.
“The Premier and his Ministers were particularly interested in how we have worked with the private sector to enable the delivery of more than $20 million of infrastructure at Fisherman Bay,” Mayor Kerley said.
“They also were interested in Council’s plans to rezone land adjacent to Fisherman Bay, and Council’s work to upgrade and expand the existing Community Wastewater Management System to accommodate growth.”
Mayor Kerley highlighted the successful collaboration with the private sector and discussed Council’s productive work with State Government planning officials to rezone some land and bring more residential plots to the market.
The Mayor presented the Premier with jars of pickled crab meat, generously donated by A & C Barnes Seafood (Spencer Gulf Wild Harvest), as a nod to past tradition. In 2011, Council presented the then transport minister, the Hon Patrick Conlon, with a box of blue swimmer crabs.
During a presentation at Country Cabinet on February 16, Mayor Kerley raised the Bute to Port Broughton section of the Upper Yorke Road, which is an important issue for many ratepayers.
The 31km stretch of road requires urgent investment and is viewed by ratepayers as the worst State Government-owned road in the region that has been the site of many casualty crashes.
Mayor Kerley highlighted the poor condition of the road, with a seal width of only 6.2 metres and lane widths of 2.9m to 3.3m, and the majority of the road having no sealed shoulders. The road is due for a full re-seal as repairs to ruts and undulations in the surface no longer suffice, she said.
“As a Councillor, I am frequently asked about the upgrade plans for this section of road, and when the State Government plans to upgrade it. This dangerous section of Upper Yorke Road requires urgent government investment,” Mayor Kerley said.
Council will continue to advocate for the urgent upgrade of the Bute to Port Broughton section of the Upper Yorke Road. It is understood some Cabinet Ministers experienced first-hand its poor condition during their visit to Yorke Peninsula.
“Barunga West Council is grateful for the opportunity to welcome Premier Malinauskas, Minister Brock, and Minister Champion to our Council area, and for the attention given to the urgent road upgrade that is so desperately needed,” Mayor Kerley said.