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Morialta Matters
News from John Gardner MP
Issue 31 Autumn 2020
Dear Residents
At a recent public meeting in Woodside, Adelaide 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 Cudlee Creek 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
Lobethal Recovery Centre to make sure you don’t miss out on support for which you may be eligible.
Electorate Office Ministerial Office
- 163 St Bernards Road - Level 9, 31 Flinders Street
Rostrevor 5073 Adelaide 5000
- (08) 8365 4224 - (08) 8226 1205
- morialta@parliament.sa.gov.au - minister.gardner@sa.gov.au
/JohnGardnerMP
CUDLEE CREEK BUSHFIRES
Lobethal Recovery Centre
Adelaide Hills 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.
Bushfire 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: BushfireReviewSubmissions@sa.gov.au
• 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
SAFAIndustryAssistance@sa.gov.au or visit the website business.sa.gov.au
Cudlee Creek Bushfire 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 fishing
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 South Australia 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!
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