It’s been another busy week as I continue my journey across our electorate.
A reminder, the Grey preselection is set for Sunday, September 15, in Port Augusta; 12:15pm for a 1:00pm start. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Last week, I had the privilege of spending more than eight days on the Eyre Peninsula, concluding with a ‘boys-only’ family fishing weekend at Port Neill. It was a great opportunity to connect with locals and better understand the region’s challenges and opportunities.
It is clear our farms desperately need rain, particularly evident last week in the far west, where crops are noticeably immature. Within the district council areas of Ceduna and Streaky Bay, many farmers planted only half their program due to the record-dry start. It’s a stark reminder of the challenges our dryland farmers face.
In select towns, there are growing social challenges, especially in Ceduna and more recently in Port Augusta. While the cashless debit card program did not fix everything, the community in Ceduna has noted a significant decline in social cohesion since Anthony Albanese’s ideological decision to abolish the card, with many stating it is the worst it has been.
There is considerable investment in mining and infrastructure underway and in discussion across the Eyre Peninsula. The construction and future operations will create high paying jobs here on the EP.
Some of the projects, either in discussion or underway include:
– Kaolin mine near Poochera (Kaolin is a natural product used in porcelain, and concrete)
– Port Lincoln desalination plant
– Investment considerations to fix and re-open the grain railway line
– New deep-sea port on the east cost
– Cape Hardy desalination plant (for the Upper Spender Gulf and BHP’s copper expansion amongst others)
– Potential expansion of Lucky Bay’s port
– Graphite and Uranium exploration at Lacroma and Yaninee respectively.
Bonnie and I have now covered most of Grey, clocking up more than 18,000kilometres in the ute. It just so happens that September 15 is also Bonnie’s birthday —what a way to celebrate!
I’m looking forward to the coming weeks and the chance to reconnect with many of you across Grey. Your insights and concerns continue to shape my understanding of what our electorate needs.
As always, if you have any thoughts or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to listen and learn from you.
