Inaugural forestry chief appointed
Road safety in focus Road safety will be improved on several rural roads within the Limestone Coast with a $12.1 million package of works to be undertaken by Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd, funded by the Australian and South Australian governments. The works got underway last bweek and include shoulder sealing, roadside hazard protection and delineation improvements. The works on the Carpenter Rocks Road, Riddoch Highway and Clay Wells Road will also include new line marking, replacement of guide posts and improved delineation. Works will be undertaken from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, with lane and speed restrictions as required. Motorists are advised to take extra care when workers are on site and observe speed and lane restrictions when travelling through the area. . These safety improvements are in support of the State Government’s commitment to raise the speed limit to 110 km/h on Clay Wells Road, Carpenter Rocks Road and Riddoch Highway, through the $70 million Regional Roads Projects Safety Improvements Program. Member for Barker Tony Pasin said he was glad to see the works getting underway following the Federal funding component of 80 per cent being brought forward.
“Regional road upgrades are vital to increasing productivity and safety. The Morrison Government is making these upgrades a priority by bring this funding forward,” Mr Pasin said. “I’ve been strong advocate for our local roads and while the State Government made a commitment to raise the speed limit back to 110 km per hour, I’m pleased that our Federal Government has stepped up to help fund upgrades to these state roads,” Mr Pasin said. Member for MacKillop, Nick McBride MP, has welcomed the start of the safety upgrades, saying the community has been calling for speed limits to be re-instated. “These works are an important step in the process of increasing speed limits on roads that were reduced to 100km/hr under the former Labor Government,” he said. “Improving the safety and quality of these roads is imperative to country road users. Our regional communities rely on, and deserve, safe road networks, and I look forward to the upgrades being completed.” Works are expected to be completed late 2020, weather permitting, and the final speed increase will be signposted as projects are completed.
e if l t s e b ir e h t g in iv L Students from across the Glenelg Shire have been inducted as the next wave of youth mental health leaders following the official welcome event for Live4Life. Live4Life Glenelg inducted 45 new and ongoing crew members, made up of Year 9 and Year 10 students from across the shire, to continue on the initiative’s award winning success in
the south west region. The induction day, held during a full day session at the Portland Civic Hall, provided crew members with a hands-on insight into the year ahead, with team building exercises, planning activities and an overview of the role of Live4Life and crew members.Youth Live4Life community engagement coordinator Cathryn Walder said this
Member for Barker Tony Pasin (left) with South Australian Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll (centre) & Member for MacKillop Nick McBride (right) at the site of the Frances Road upgrade
WHAT IS HAPPENING & WHERE • 55 kilometres of shoulder sealing on Clay Wells Road, between Southern Ports Highway and Callendale Road, including seven bridge barrier replacements. • 4 kilometres of shoulder sealing on Frances Road, just south of Bordertown, funded by the National Blackspot program. • 16 kilometre of shoulder sealing on Carpenter Rocks Road, between Burrungule Road junction and Mount Gambier, with four kilometres of this work funded by the National Blackspot Program. • On Riddoch Highway (Bay Road), between Mount Gambier and Port MacDonnell, works will include the installation of an 800 millimetre wide centreline median between Kilsby Road and Allendale, audio tactile linemarking, minor shoulder seal widening, road side hazard protection and an upgrade of the Bay Road / Mt Salt Road junction to provide a right turn lane into Mt Salt Road.
“…. they will champion positive mental health promotion, as well as building their own public speaking and communication skills….” year’s induction was a little different, with new Live4Life community Southern Grampians joining the induction day. “In 2020 we are in a special position where we are able to bring both the Glenelg and Southern Grampians crew members together,” she said. “This is the first year the initiative will be rolled out in the Southern Grampians area, so
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it’s fantastic to have both communities working together towards a common goal. In total 60 young people attended the session which focusses on preparing the crew members for the year ahead. The role of the crew is to assist in the delivery of events and drive key Live4Life messages at their school and in their community. It is evident that young people want to hear from other young people about mental health, which is why the crew is so vital to the initiative’s success. Throughout the year crew members will gain valuable knowledge and skills to help them feel more confident in their role as Youth Mental Health Ambassadors. They will champion positive mental health promotion, as well as building their own public speaking and communication skills. We are excited to soon introduce our new crews to the community, with a launch event planned for the near future.” The Live4Life model focuses on a whole of community approach to mental health education and suicide prevention in order to build resilient young people and communities. Since its implementation in the Glenelg Shire in 2017 more than 140 young people have participated as crew members and more than 1100 community members have received mental health training.
The Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub (GTFIH) has appointed Liz McKinnon as its inaugural executive general manager. Ms. McKinnon, a resident of the region, is well known, having worked in economic development, tourism and communications for the Glenelg Shire Council since 2015, with prior experience as a media advisor to former Victorian Premier and Member for South West Coast Denis Napthine. GTFIH Chair Linda Sewell said Ms. McKinnon brought the Hub extensive experience in advocacy, communications and stakeholder engagement. “We are delighted to welcome Liz to the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub following strong interest in the role,” Ms. Sewell said. “We have an ambitious plan to meet projected local and global demand for wood and fibre products. Liz brings an expert understanding to the role the Hub can play in supporting vibrant and prosperous regions. She will ensure that the Hub achieves its goals, advances the key issues facing our industry in the Green Triangle and does so whilst remaining true to the GTFIH’s Statement of Commitment. Ms. McKinnon said she looked forward to joining the GTFIH. “There is no doubt that the Green Triangle forest and timber industries are critical to the economic and social prosperity of our region,” she said. “I am looking forward to delivering the outcomes of this first of its kind plan and the opportunities to promote and grow the wood fibre sector across the Green Triangle. The Hub is committed to working with the sector, government and key stakeholders over the coming months to set a path towards achieving long term social, environmental and economic success. I will ensure that we focus on supporting the sustainable growth of forestry as the industry works with governments and communities to meet future demand, with a renewable and sustainable resource.” Ms. McKinnon said she would also be working closely with representatives of the wider industry. “Our industry has really come together and there are fantastic examples of collaboration, like the regional forest industry hubs across Australia,” she said. Ms McKinnon commenced her role this week.