Geothermal project steams ahead

March 5, 2010

Resources and Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson, today opened the Panax geothermal project near Penola.

Panax successfully applied for $7 million under round one of the Federal Government’s $50 million Geothermal Drilling Program.

Visiting the site, Mr Ferguson said South Australia offers great opportunity to develop geothermal energy technology. Read more

Six doctors leaving Mount Gambier

October 2, 2009

The Mount Gambier community will lose the much-needed services of at least six GPs in the next two months.

Four GPs have indicated verbally they will resign from the Hawkins Medical Clinic before the end of the year, while two have already resigned from the Ferrers Medical Clinic. Read more

Bluegum focus turns to exports

September 29, 2009

Hopes to secure the $1.5b Penola Pulp Mill could be lost if the consortium led by developer Protavia does not end up at the top of the list of bidders for Timbercorp’s forestry assets this week.

Port of Portland chief executive Scott Paterson told The Border Watch at Friday’s opening of the Myamyn chip mill that activity in the bluegum sector was moving toward export of chips to Japan and beyond into China and Asia. Read more

Demand rises for foster care

August 25, 2009

The need for foster carers in the South East is growing, with 378 requests for placements last year and only 42 foster care households.

Ac.care is this week focusing on recruiting foster carers as part of foster carers’ week.

Ac.care chief executive officer Rob Foggo said the decision to become a foster carer to a child in need could be one of the most important decisions to change the course a child’s life in a positive way. Read more

Counselling offered after boy’s death

August 20, 2009

Mount Gambier High School principal, Peter McKay has extended sympathy to the family and friends of ex-pupil, James Roney, who was killed in a tragic car crash in the early hours of Monday.

A statement released by the 13-year-old boy’s family on Tuesday claimed he had recently moved to Warrnambool to escape torment inflicted on him by other students in Mount Gambier. Read more

Imported drugs found stashed in toy truck

August 18, 2009

One kilogram of ephedrine found stashed inside a toy Tonka truck and an alarm clock by Australian Customs officials last week led to the arrest of a Mount Gambier man, who was refused bail at the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard Trevor John Furner, 49, was arrested on Saturday after allegedly attempting to smuggle ephedrine, commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, through air mail from an alleged associate based in Malaysia. Read more

Concern at proposed rates exemption

August 13, 2009

Mount Gambier City Council has raised concerns over a draft bill that proposes to fix lower rates and charges for people living in retirement villages and caravan parks.

At a major council committee meeting this week, corporate and community services director Grant Humphries warned the proposal could leave a $120,000 black hole in council’s yearly budget. Read more

Frustration at hoax triple zero calls

August 10, 2009

Triple zero calls should only be made in life-threatening or time-critical emergencies, according to Police and Emergency Services Minister Michael Wright.

Mr Wright yesterday expressed frustration at the number of prank phone calls to emergency services. Read more

City Council rates raised 4.2pc

July 24, 2009

Mount Gambier property owners will pay an extra 4.2pc in overall rates after City Council adopted its $20 million 2009-10 budget on Wednesday night.

The increase was trimmed back from an original proposal of 4.76pc and is in line with the local government inflation rate. Read more

Democrats MP challenges party

July 20, 2009

Australia’s last remaining Democrats MP, David Winderlich, has challenged his party to recruit 1000 members by the end of November or he will run as an independent.

Mr Winderlich notified party officials of his ultimatum on Monday morning.

“We need to rekindle the original dream of the party, to be a sensible voice of reason that stands up for ordinary South Australians, and that includes regional South Australians,” he said. Read more

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