Federal Liberals commit to Crime Prevention Programme in Mount Barker Today I am very pleased to announce that the next Coalition Government will provide $120,000 to the District Council of Mount Barker to tackle crime, vandalism and other anti-social behavior. In 2004 the Coalition established the $65 million National Community Crime Prevention Programme to boost community safety and crime prevention by supporting local crime prevention initiatives and projects. Through this initiative, grants were provided for security-related infrastructure, including closed circuit television systems (CCTV), anti-hooning devices, and other initiatives to support the efforts of local communities to tackle crime. After the 2007 election, Labor scrapped the National Community Crime Prevention Programme, replacing it with a $15 million initiative called ‘Safer Suburbs’. To support the crime-fighting efforts of local communities and the states and territories, the Coalition will commit $... more

  Federal Liberals commit to Crime Prevention Programme on South Coast Today I am very pleased to announce that the next Coalition Government will provide $150,000 in funding to the City of Victor Harbor to tackle crime, vandalism and other anti-social behavior. In 2004 the Coalition established the $65 million National Community Crime Prevention Programme to boost community safety and crime prevention by supporting local crime prevention initiatives and projects. Through this initiative, grants were provided for security-related infrastructure, including closed circuit television systems (CCTV), anti-hooning devices, and other initiatives to support the efforts of local communities to tackle crime After the 2007 election, Labor scrapped the National Community Crime Prevention Programme, replacing it with a $15 million initiative called ‘Safer Suburbs’. To support the crime-fighting efforts of local communities and the states and territories, the Coalition will commit $50 m... more

Federal Liberals to provide funding for South Coast pool I am very pleased to announce that an elected Federal Liberal Government will provide $2 million funding to help build a South Coast swimming pool complex. Since elected in 2008, I have been fighting for investment in key community infrastructure. In this respect I was very pleased to assist the Alexandrina Council in securing federal funding for the Strathalbyn pool upgrade. A swimming pool has long been in demand and become increasingly necessary as the population grows rapidly on the South Coast. Whether you are an older person or a young family, a pool complex will add to the liveability of the South Coast community. It will provide increased opportunities for residents of all ages and create many employment opportunities particularly for young people in the area. A swimming pool will also help improve health outcomes in the area by encouraging an active community. The enormous demand for a pool has come from all section... more

Green Army plan to help the Adelaide Hills I am pleased to announce that the Adelaide Hills will be among the first sites supported in South Australia under the Green Army plan if a Coalition Government is elected to Government in August. The Green Army will provide teams of ten young Australians who will work on local community-based environmental projects for six month periods, costed at $125,000. This is a really positive programme that will deliver significant training and practical experience in the vital area of conservation and land management. Federal Shadow Environment Minister, Greg Hunt said that the Adelaide Hills has already shown itself as being able to provide enormous benefits in providing environmental and vocational benefits for our emerging workforce. A Green Army project in the Adelaide Hills will work on developing a network of walking trails across that showcase the natural environment and are built and managed in an environmentally sustainable manner. Par... more

Federal Liberals commit to second freeway interchange at Mount Barker Today I am very pleased to announce that the next Liberal Government will provide funding for a second freeway interchange in Mount Barker. Mount Barker is growing rapidly with one of the fastest growth rates in South Australia. The growth that has already occurred has not been matched by investment in vital transport infrastructure causing significant community concern. This investment will go some way to reducing the pressure on already overcrowded roads. In addition, the only access to the South Eastern Freeway is rapidly reaching its limit raising genuine concerns about safety, particularly in a bushfire threatened area. Construction of a second freeway interchange has been identified as the number one priority by local councils. The District Council of Mount Barker has estimated that this project will cost $43.7 million. The Federal Liberals will begin funding this project in the 2013/14 financial year wit... more

Green Army plan for Penneshaw and Island Beach   I am pleased to announce that Penneshaw and Island Beach will be among the first sites supported in South Australia under the Green Army plan if a Coalition Government is elected to Government. The Green Army will provide teams of ten young Australians who will work on local community-based environmental projects for six month periods, costed at $125,000. This is a really positive programme that will deliver significant training and practical experience in the vital area of conservation and land management. A Green Army project on Penneshaw and Island Beach will work on programmes to help control pedestrian and vehicle access to beaches by formalising access routes to prevent further degradation and allow for the revegetation of degraded areas. The work of the Green Army will help reduce number of access points for pedestrians and vehicles, undertake slat boarding and other construction type work to prevent further damage ... more

Submission to the amendment to the Development Plan for Mount Barker Download here: LinkClick.aspx more

Green Army plan to help the Lower Lakes I am pleased to announce that the Lower Lakes will become one of the first sites supported in South Australia under the Green Army plan if a Coalition Government is elected to Government. The Green Army will provide teams of ten young Australians who will work on local community-based environmental projects for six month periods. This is a really positive programme that will deliver significant training and practical experience in the vital area of conservation and land management. The Lower Lakes need urgent attention, and a Green Army will work on programmes to revegetate the shoreline, monitor the wetland sites and habitat and create boardwalks so the broader public can engage with the Lakes environment.  The work of the Green Army will help improve the local environment around the Lower Lakes with direct action, undertaking weed and pest control, planting of trees and breeding native fish.  We are committed to helping more you... more

Letter to Prime Minister regarding Mount Barker Development Plan Click here to download: LinkClick.aspx more

Rann Labor fails Mount Barker Today I have written to all residents in the District Council of Mount Barker urging themto ensure their voice is heard by the Rann Labor Government in relation to their proposed amendment to the Mount Barker Development Plan. The proposed amendment to the Development Plan for Mount Barker fails because it appears to have given no consideration to the future sustainability of the Adelaide Hills region. This amendment proposes to release some 1,310 hectares of land for development in Nairne and Mount Barker, resulting in the building of 7,000 extra houses. I am also concerned this amendment has set expansion targets without considering key infrastructure needs including a second freeway interchange for Mount Barker, investment in wastewater management, black spots funding for local roads and improved recreation facilities. It is clear the Rann Labor Government has failed to consider effective methods of expansion to ensure our prime agricultural land i... more