Rex slams passenger tax hike plan

July 6, 2010

A rift between Rex Airlines and the Grant District Council over a 46pc increase in passenger tax to help fund the upgrade of the airport runway is threatening to steer good relations between council and the airline towards a crash landing.

Council has announced the passenger tax increase from $6.50 to $9.50, which will take effect on September 1, to upgrade the 1.5km main runway, taxis and aprons to cater for charter planes and larger aircraft such as QuantasLink. Read more

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Councils demand Youth Allowance equality

June 24, 2010

A joint effort to lobby the Federal Government has stepped up to amend Mount Gambier’s Youth Allowance classification boundaries from “inner” to “outer” regional.

The District Council of Grant passed a motion during a council meeting on Monday evening to call on Mount Gambier City Council and Wattle Range Council to jointly lobby for the change to enable more students to qualify for Youth Allowance. Read more

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Hazardous farm chemical clean-out success

June 21, 2010

Close to 20 tonnes of unwanted hazardous waste was disposed of when farmers and households within the South East region were given the chance last Friday and Saturday to unload materials at the District Council of Grant depot.

Grant District Council environmental health officer Bob Dunstone said it was the first hazardous waste disposal day held in the South East region since 2006. Read more

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Signs point to tourism neglect

June 10, 2010

Grant District Council may have to face the bill to replace deteriorating Mary MacKillip tourist drive signs in its council area, or risk them being permanently removed.

The South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) has knocked back a request by council to replace the tourist drive signs as it has focused on supporting signage closer to the Mary MacKillop Interpretative Centre in Penola. Read more

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Loan approved to complete saleyards project

May 17, 2010

Grant District Council has approved loan borrowings of up to $700,000 to complete construction of an effluent project at the Mount Gambier saleyards.

The project involves construction of two ponds to remove waste and minimise nitrates from storm water and water used to wash down cattle enclosures and irrigation of effluent on ForestrySA land near the saleyards. Read more

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Cemetery expansion fight

May 6, 2010

Grant District Council has lashed out at a suggestion the Port MacDonnell Cemetery be expanded onto the car park at the site to leave an area of vegetation on the facility’s fringe untouched.

Councillors have rejected a proposal by the Native Vegetation Council to use the existing car park for burials and relocate the parking area to the northern side of the cemetery.

“Over my dead body will people be buried in the car park,” Cr Alex Deak said in a council meeting on Monday. Read more

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Tragedy sparks cliff danger alert

May 3, 2010

Grant District Council officers yesterday inspected the site of this week’s tragic fatal cliff fall at Cape Douglas to determine whether action was needed to secure the area.

A Victorian tourist, 30, plunged to her death on Tuesday, April 27, after she lost her footing while taking photographs at a cliff face, 25km south west of Mount Gambier. Read more

Tags: accident, environment, Grant, safety | Comments Off

Grant Council floats port plan

April 21, 2010

Grant District Council has floated establishing a council operated professional port authority at Port MacDonnell, which is home to the largest rock lobster fleet in the southern hemisphere.

While a feasibility study will need to be undertaken to investigate the viability of a port authority, the Department of Transport has given its initial support to the possible move. Read more

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Council axes foreshore tree plan

April 12, 2010

Grant District Council has dumped a proposal to plant Norfolk Island pine trees along the Port MacDonnell foreshore and build a replica of a large-scale boat because of fears it would obstruct seaviews.

Council received a flurry of submissions calling for a plan to plant Norfolk Island pine trees to be axed after releasing bold conceptual plans for the redevelopment of the foreshore and Tenterden Reserve. Read more

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Council leads paper fight

March 29, 2010

WATTLE Range Mayor Mark Braes has called for a community campaign in a determined bid to reverse the Federal Government’s changes to anti-dumping legislation, which may threaten hundreds of jobs at Kimberly-Clark’s Millicent plant.

The future of the Millicent plant is at risk due to a decision to revoke anti-dumping duties on toilet paper imports. Read more

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