abinet mid north - yoursay · economic development 15 transport 16 planning 18 education and child...

Mid North

/YourFutureSA

BETTER TOGETHER

COUNTRY CABINET

STATE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Mid NorthMarch 2015

Premier’s Foreword 3Minister for Regional Development’s Foreword 4Introduction 5 The importance of the Mid North 5 What we did 6 What we heard 7Priority issues ‘It starts with YOUth’ Roundtable 7 One-Stop-Shop for Services 9 Emergency Medical Services 9 Putting Steamtown on the Map 10Other important issues Health and wellbeing 12 Economic Development 15 Transport 16 Planning 18 Education and Child Development 20 Community 22

The Mid North is an amazing part of South Australia. It is a diverse region boasting agricultural and manufacturing industries that are thriving and are vital to the economic prosperity of our State.

The area is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. Its post-European settlement history goes back to the copper mining industry that supported the areas around Burra more than 150 years ago.

Similarly, the town of Peterborough is rightfully proud of its rail history – a history wonderfully demonstrated by the town’s premier tourist destination, Steamtown.

The hospitality of the Mid North region is second to none. During Country Cabinet in March 2015, my Ministers and I met warm and welcoming local people who are passionate about the growth of their region.

This report is the Government’s response to what we heard. It outlines our determination to work with the Mid North to create an even more dynamic and prosperous region.

During Country Cabinet, the State Government announced a grant of $70,000 to construct a hardstand helipad in Peterborough. We also

announced the establishment of a “one-stop shop”, located in the town’s main street, to better coordinate government services.

I had the privilege of officially opening the refurbished Burra Railway Station. The work that Roy Taplin and Burra community volunteers have undertaken is extraordinary and has ensured the rich history of the town is kept alive for future generations.

The Government is also working with stakeholders in the region on a solution to the significant loss of trees at Bundaleer Forest, south of Jamestown. We are seeking the best possible outcomes for the future of the forests and the region.

The people of the Mid North value their lifestyle, and our Government is determined to practically support this outstanding community as it continues to grow.

IndexIndex

Jay Weatherill Premier of South Australia

A MESSAGE FROM PREMIER JAY WEATHERILL

PREMIER’S FOREWORD PREMIER’S FOREWORD

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COUNTRY CABINET THE RESPONSE

/YourFutureSA /YourFutureSABETTER TOGETHER BETTER TOGETHER

OUR REGIONS Three in every 10 South Australians live in a regional community. Regional communities make a major contribution to South Australia’s identity, quality of life and prosperity.

Regional South Australia generates much of our state’s wealth, contributing more than $20 billion towards our economy and producing more than 50 per cent of South Australia’s overseas exports. Building stronger regions is a priority for the South Australian Government.

Our regions help to define our state – breathing life into our state’s sense of itself, its culture and traditions and its place in the nation. Country South Australia not only provides an economic engine for the state, it contributes to our state’s unique character and helps define what it is to be South Australian.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REGIONThe Mid North is a key region of South Australia, making a significant contribution to our State’s economy.

Spanning from as far south as Eudunda all the way to the Southern Flinders Ranges, the region relies heavily on agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.

The region boasts a rich cultural heritage; its proud history is built on the foundations of a booming mining and rail industry.

By hosting Country Cabinet, the Mid North offered Ministers the opportunity to learn more about the area by engaging with local people about the issues most important to them. Ministers heard from community and business leaders on matters such as regional and economic development, planning, mental health, roads and transport and the environment.

Introduction

Geoff BrockMinister for Regional Development

The positive response to my request to take three Cabinet meetings a year to our regional communities has already proved their worth.

There’s clearly no substitute to meeting locals face-to-face and hearing directly from them about the challenges and opportunities in their regions.

Country Cabinet Mid North was no different with the community making the most of the opportunity to meet directly with the Premier, Ministers, Chief Executives and senior department staff.

I was very pleased to announce two significant initiatives for the region following discussions I had with community leaders in the lead-up to the Mid North Country Cabinet.

The Peterborough hardstand helipad and the creation of a Community Development Officer position were a direct response to address what I was told were vitally important issues for the local community.

Events like Country Cabinet help us together refine our focus and align our priorities.

I will be soon coming to the regions again for a series of local ‘Regions in Focus’ roadshows with regional leaders across the State.

I look forward to building on the work of the four Country Cabinets held so far.

We all have a common purpose, which is to continue to build on the important role our regions play in driving South Australia’s economic development and social strength.

Thank you to everyone who brought their ideas to Country Cabinet Mid North.

A MESSAGE FROM GEOFF BROCK

MINISTERFOR REGIONAL

DEVELOPMENT’S FOREWORD

MINISTERFOR REGIONAL

DEVELOPMENT’S FOREWORD

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In March 2015, Premier Jay Weatherill and the State’s Cabinet Ministers visited the Mid North region for three days.

It was the first of three Country Cabinets to be held in 2015, as part of the Government’s Charter for a Stronger Regional Policy.

Around 200 people attended a community BBQ and public forum in Peterborough on Sunday 29 March. The event provided an opportunity for the community to raise issues and ideas for the region.

The Cabinet meeting was held the next morning in Jamestown, which included an opportunity for local councils to speak with the Cabinet Ministers.

Cabinet met with business and industry leaders, local councilors and members of the community during a range of different activities.

Events included:

• A community forum and BBQ in Peterborough attended by around 200 people

• Local community members meeting one-on-one with Cabinet Ministers

• A presentation to Cabinet in Jamestown from the mayors and chief executives of District Council of Peterborough, Northern Areas Council, District Council of Orroroo Carrieton and the Regional Council of Goyder

• An afternoon tea with community representatives at the Blacksmith’s Chatter in Orroroo

• A lunch with community members and official opening of the restored Burra Railway Station.

During the visit, the State Government announced:

• Funding of $70,000 for the construction of a hardstand helipad located at the Peterborough airstrip

• Funding for a new full-time Community Development Officer to work from a “One Stop Shop” to support and promote economic and social in Peterborough service programs for the town

• The replanting of around 150 hectares of the historic Bundaleer Forest, south of Jamestown

• New child-care services in Burra and Laura as part of the Rural Care program

• $8,000 for two local artists to participate in a pilot residency in Burra

• The proclamation of the new Mimbara Conservation Park 22km south east of Burra.

• Release of the report ‘A Modern Transport System for Agriculture: A New Partnership Approach’, the result of a joint industry and government project to improve agricultural transport across the State.

WHAT WE DID

COUNTRY CABINET ‘It starts with YOUth’ Roundtable

‘It starts with YOUth’ Roundtable

OUR RESPONSEThe South Australian Government is committed to engaging with young people and ensuring their views are listened to, captured and acted upon. The Office for Youth is currently leading the development of a new model of youth engagement to inform the government’s youth agenda and to facilitate the engagement of young people in government decisions that affect them.

This Roundtable is one example of how the government is actively engages with young people. The issues raised and solutions suggested will be forwarded to the regional council and relevant State Government departments. All issues raised at the Roundtable will inform government as part of future youth strategy topics of focus.

We plan to engage with young people more regularly and invite them to participate and come together to share ideas, including through social media. Young people are also encouraged to use the government’s YourSAy website to raise issues and receive feedback.

WHAT WE HEARDThe young people who attended the Roundtable raised issues about employment and training, transport and travel, services and programs, and mental health. They spoke of the barriers and challenges that limit their opportunities, including employers who do not want to employ young people, limited number of jobs, and lack of traineeships and apprenticeships, which are further exacerbated by the difficulties associated with having to travel long distances for work or training. They also expressed concerns about the lack of youth services, programs and resources, which limit opportunities for young people to participate, contribute and thrive in their community.

In a first for Country Cabinet, young people from the Mid North region participated in the ‘It starts with YOUth’ Roundtable, held by the Minister for Youth and facilitated by the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

The Roundtable provided a forum for young people to discuss the issues and challenges they face in their community and their ideas for improvements.

A facilitated session focused on the Youth Strategy’s priorities of homelessness, transitions from education to further education, training and employment and youth engagement. Young people shared their stories, highlighting the achievements and challenges they faced and the strategies that were put in place to address them.

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The message Cabinet took away from the Mid North Country Cabinet was one of a passionate and resilient community.

The region is facing significant challenges and local people want to work with the Government to address these. There is an appetite to discuss ideas and pursue opportunities for the region.

This report gives a snapshot of what we heard in the Mid North region. It is not a comprehensive overview of everything being done, but it provides a sense of the Government’s interest and commitment to better outcomes for the region. Findings from the visit will continue to inform the Government’s support for the area into the future.

Country Cabinet saw the launch of the ‘Fund My Idea’ program in the Mid North. Fund My Idea supports projects to the value of $50,000 in regions that host Country Cabinet.

People were invited to submit ideas for projects in the region, and the community voted on how they felt the money should be spent.

A total of 36 ideas, all generated by the community, were published on the Government’s YourSAy website (yoursay.sa.gov.au).

The community voted for a period of three weeks. The top three ranked ideas after voting were then considered by the Government for funding.

FUND MY IDEA

Upper North Regional Sports Stadium Canteen ConstructionSporting associations in Jamestown ($20,000)

A canteen will be constructed at the Upper North Regional Sports Stadium to be used by various sporting associations that use the stadium on a regular basis. This includes the local netball, cricket, basketball and indoor soccer clubs and associations.

Community GymBurra Community School ($30,000)

A community gym will be established at the Burra Community School to support students at the school, as well as provide a facility for use by community sporting groups and individuals.

The two highest projects, as voted by the community, were successful:

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES One of the main issues raised prior to and during Country Cabinet was the need for fast and reliable medical care in emergencies. When someone needs to be airlifted for emergency or specialist care the lack of a sealed helipad causes delays and complications.

Funding of $70,000 has been provided for the construction of a hardstand helipad at the Peterborough airstrip. Construction of the helipad will address a critical need for effective emergency service delivery to the town, created by Peterborough’s geographic isolation combined with the demands placed on Peterborough Memorial Hospital.

ONE-STOP-SHOPFOR SERVICESThe District Council of Peterborough, with assistance from Regional Development Australia (RDA) Yorke and Mid North, is seeking to implement a long-term place-based approach to health and wellbeing that ensures community input to inform decisions on Government funding. The vision for Peterborough is to implement a ‘One Stop Shop’ service coordination centre, where community members can receive information about availability of services as well as support to access a variety of health services.

The Government announced funding for a new full-time Community Development Officer who will work from a “One Stop Shop” for government service delivery in Peterborough’s main street and will support and promote economic and social service programs for the town. The Community Development Officer position will be delivered through Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North with the close support of the Peterborough Council.

Action taken in response to what

we heard

Action taken in response to what

we heardWHAT WE HEARD8 9



Steamtown in Peterborough was once at the heart of Australia’s rail network, with over 100 steam locomotives passing through each day before heading out all over Australia. Steamtown is a premier tourist destination for history and locomotive enthusiasts with an impressive collection and a range of activities for visitors. The local community told us that they want support to help cement Steamtown as a ‘must do’ activity in the Southern Flinders Ranges.

Since the Country Cabinet meeting, the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) has committed to promoting Steamtown and the Heritage Rail Trail.

The SATC will include Steamtown on the Top 10 list of things to do on the southaustralia.com website.

Steamtown will be added to the Explorers Way interactive map contained on the SATC’s roadtrips website.

The SATC will draft an article on South Australia’s rail tourism experiences and include the Heritage Rail Trail as part of this with a link to the Heritage Rail Trail page on the Day Trippa website. This work has commenced and will be featured on southaustralia.com by the end of June. The article will also be promoted on SATC’s social media platforms.

The Government will continue to work with Steamtown and the Heritage Rail Trail to help ensure more visitors get to experience this important part of South Australian history.

All this work is underway and will be completed by the end of June 2015.

What we are doing to deliver on other

important issues

What we are doing to deliver on other

important issues

PUTTING STEAMTOWN ON THE MAP

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Key issues Our Response

Following Country Cabinet, the Government met with five local GPs in Peterborough and a representative from the Country North Medicare Local to discuss concerns and identify improvements.

An Integrated Services Working Party was established approximately 18 months ago and is developing strategies to assist with service access.

One of these strategies is the creation of the ‘One Stop Shop’ service coordination centre announced by the Premier and Minister Brock.

A need for better coordination of regional health services. There appears to be a lack of role clarity for the region’s health services, and better service coordination is required to avoid duplication of services.

Suicide is an important issue in Peterborough. The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist contacted the local council

to establish and support a community driven suicide prevention group, noting that suicide is a community wide issue.

An invitation has been extended to the Peterborough Council to attend a countrywide Suicide Prevention Network of Networks meeting on 9 July 2015. SA Health continues to encourage Peterborough Council to develop a Suicide Prevention Network.

Suicide is a significant issue for the region, particularly Peterborough. There is a long history of high suicide rates, and there is serious concern about the potential for copycat suicides.

There is a dedicated mental health clinician based in Peterborough and supported by a community mental health team in Port Pirie. The use of technology also enables access to specialist Psychiatrist consultations where necessary.

Drug and Alcohol Services SA is currently recruiting to replace a Port Pirie based position that provides services to Peterborough.

The Red Cross provides the Personal Helpers and Mentor Program to assist people access community resources.

The Government is exploring options to more flexibly apply its resources across the Yorke and Northern Region, to provide support where it is most required.

After hours mental health services across all of country South Australia are only available through the Rural and Remote Distance Consultation and Emergency Triage and Liaison Service via telephone.

The Emergency and Triage Liaison Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 13 14 65. The service is staffed by mental health clinicians who are able to provide a comprehensive range of support and advice, including access to psychiatrists.

There are two nurses at any one time within the hospital, which is consistent with smaller sites across country South Australia.

Safety of all staff is a priority and there are a number of systems duress alarms installed in the hospital and the hospital is normally locked after 8pm.

There are high levels of drug and alcohol misuse in the Peterborough and Goyder regions. There is a need for dedicated mental health and drug and alcohol services to better manage local needs.

There are no overnight mental health services in Peterborough. As a result, nurses are often in the hospital alone, causing serious concern for their safety.


An analysis of the most appropriate mix of staff to meet the care needs of aged care residents in country hospitals has been undertaken and a number of sites have introduced or have increased AIN positions to complement the existing Registered and Enrolled Nurse workforce. The introduction of AINs will enable a more flexible workforce and provide more options for recruitment.

All existing Registered and Enrolled Nurse contracted hours at Burra Hospital will be maintained.

Burra Hospital is proposing the introduction of Assistant in Nursing (AIN) positions to support aged care residents.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The RDA Yorke & Mid North and Neoen (Hornsdale Wind Farm) have held initial discussions with the Government on opportunities for local pre-employment and training activities. Neoen, specifically, expressed an interest in Aboriginal programs and support services.

Northern Areas Council is seeking support to better coordinate with the State Government and RDA to secure training and employment opportunities through the Hornsdale Windfarm Project.

Camel supply for the Peterborough abattoir is currently sourced from the feral camel herd on Aboriginal lands in the far north west of SA, and WA and NT. PIRSA considers that quality assurance and the certainty of supply issues can be improved by ensuring sufficient farmed camels are held “behind wire” in accessible areas.

However, the farming of camels in SA is complex. On pastoral leasehold land, for example, the farming of camels requires approval of the Native Vegetation Council and the SA Pastoral Board.

PIRSA will adopt a case management approach to assist camel industry investors seeking to farm camels for quality assured meat and milk production.

The four-wheel drive track could be considered utilizing existing routes through Wirrabara and Bundaleer forests subject to land management and maintenance considerations.

PIRSA is preparing to test market opportunities for the Mid North Forests area via an Expression of Interest process and tourism and recreation proposals will be welcome.

There is concern about the feral camel supply for the Peterborough abattoir.

A proposal has been developed to create a four-wheel drive track connecting the Mid North to the Flinders Ranges including through the Mid North forests.

Primary Industries and Regions South Australia is leading the Mid North Forests Future Strategy to consider the future of Wirrabara and Bundaleer forests.

Prior to Country Cabinet, the Government committed to replanting 150 hectares of the Bundaleer Forest. This will maintain the State’s forests until decisions are made about the long term future of the Mid North plantations.

The Government has been engaging with the community, industry and other stakeholders to identify issues and opportunities.

Based upon the matters identified, the Government is preparing to test market opportunities via an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. This will encourage submissions for: Commercial Forestry, Recreation and Tourism and Alternative Land Uses as well as other opportunities to enhance social wellbeing including employment.

PIRSA will engage with the community to assist with and explain the EOI process and how the community can be involved.

The loss of the forests is threatening the viability of one of the region’s biggest employers, Morgan Sawmill. The closure of Morgan would mean the loss of an estimated 100 local jobs.

Issues about patient flow and inadequate space have been raised by staff members and the Mid North Health Advisory Council. Areas requiring upgrade include the Operating Theatre suite, scope processing area and addition of ensuites to four acute rooms. This is currently at concept planning stage. There are no funds to progress this project. There is currently no minor works funding available for the next two years, however, refurbishment of the Jamestown theatre suite remains a priority and consideration will be given to undertaking the works when such funding becomes available.

The Jamestown Hospital operating theatre suite and acute wards have not had any major upgrades since the late 1970s.


When a patient presents to a country hospital Accident and Emergency, it is standard practice for a registered nurse to undertake an initial assessment on presentation.

Nursing staff use a triage system for assessment with all incoming emergency patients prioritised using a standard rating scale.

Many country hospitals have contracts with local GPs who provide clinical services to local hospitals.

Patients will continue to be transferred to metropolitan hospitals in consultation with the treating GP based on clinical criteria.

It is considered this arrangement works well, particularly given the GP who is generally seeing the patient is also the patient’s ‘normal’ treating GP, thus providing greater continuity of care.

A recent volunteer workforce study identified stations most at risk based on a combination of factors like the number of volunteers and recruits at each station, their age, and their years of service.

This means the South Australian Ambulance Service can respond to each station’s needs; whether that is recruitment or retention strategies.

At this stage, neither the Burra or Eudunda station has been identified as most at risk, which is good news for the Goyder community. The South Australian Ambulance Service has introduced measures to temporarily relieve volunteer stations most at risk:• The establishment of two metropolitan-based volunteer pools

that can be drawn from to provide urgent and short-term roster coverage

• An initiative where groups of volunteer stations have a ‘cluster arrangement,’ with a minimum number of emergency crews in each ‘cluster’ (e.g. one volunteer ambulance covering three regional areas).

There is concern about GP arrangements in hospitals and whether there is a need for resident doctors to be present. In addition, there is concern about the minimising of hospital care in the country and that many emergencies are being sent to Lyell McEwin Hospital in Adelaide.

The coverage provided by the volunteer ambulance service for the Goyder community is very marginal. Recruitment of new volunteers is difficult and this is hampering the ability of the service to meet the community’s needs.

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The State Government is currently not considering establishing an arterial road heavy freight bypass around Orroroo.

The District Council of Orroroo is looking to establish a heavy freight bypass around the town.

Peterborough High School is part of a Mid North School’s Education Cooperative and run a range of sporting programs for students.

The school has a bus service available to students, however the bus run stops prior to Jamestown. Additional cost would be incurred for the driver to continue on to Jamestown and wait at the football training grounds (depending on availability). The football club would need to discuss this with the school.

Contact will be made with the Jamestown/Peterborough Football club to offer the services of the community notices section within the Peterborough High School newsletter and to raise the idea of car-pooling as an option for transporting players to football training and games.

Lack of public and private transport in Peterborough is affecting disadvantaged young people’s participation in sport and recreation activities. In particular, many young men cannot get to Jamestown for football training and games.

The Government is unable to provide financial support for the District Council however is committed to discussing specific opportunities for improved collaboration in managing road maintenance and particularly for unsealed roads.

The District Council of Goyder is looking for support from the State Government to collaborate to better manage road maintenance.


TRANSPORT


While an increase in freight is causing increased deterioration of the arterial network, the Government continues to maintain the network to a safe standard.

Road managers must give consent before B-Doubles are allowed on a route. In giving consent, the road manager should balance the economic benefit of these more efficient vehicles with their capacity to maintain the network.

Increased volumes of heavy road freight are causing significant damage to the region’s road network. The ongoing transition of farming in the region towards pastoral operations means increased livestock transport, which has a heavy reliance on B-Double trucks.

Davkent Pty Ltd provides the provision of public transport services in the Upper North and all trips are booked by the Northern Passenger Transport Network. Services include:

• Peterborough to Port Pirie via Terowie, 1st and 3rd Monday of each month• Peterborough to Port Pirie via Yongala, 2nd and 4th Monday of each month• Peterborough to Port Pirie via Orroroo, every Thursday• Peterborough to Port Augusta, every Friday• Medical Service from Port Augusta and Port Pirie regions to metropolitan Adelaide, every Tuesday.

As part of the process to re-tender services once contracts expire, a detailed analysis of services is undertaken to ensure services continue to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Many people in Peterborough do not have access to private transport, presenting a significant challenge for people needing to attend medical appointments in Port Augusta and Port Pirie.

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Reduced allotment sizes and subsequent increases in dwelling development in isolated townships is generally not supported and is considered to be in conflict with the Mid North Region Plan.

The townships are isolated with little existing infrastructure or services. Township allotments are held in fragmented ownership, increasing the likelihood of incremental and scattered development. It is considered that such development also has the potential to create land use interface conflicts with existing primary production activities, and may also result in detrimental environmental impacts.

While the Council has yet to submit a new Statement of Intent to change allotment sizes, DPTI will consider this on its merits when it has been formally submitted.

The current minimum block size of 100 acres for rural properties is considered too big for people who are looking to purchase lifestyle properties. The District Council of Orroroo reported that a number of older farmhouses would be desirable to purchase, but the associated landholding is too big to be maintained as a lifestyle property.

The District Council of Peterborough currently has an application to the Community Wastewater Management Systems Subside Scheme for funding to construct a new sewerage scheme in Peterborough to deal with the issues of failing septic tasks. The scheme is funded by the Government pursuant to a long-term agreement with the LGA.

The LGA sets priorities for schemes (on advice from a Management Committee which has State Government representation) and provides funding according to a formula set out in the Agreement.

The Peterborough application is still being assessed by the LGA and it is understood that the Council is also seeking Commonwealth Government funding because of the relatively high estimated cost of the scheme.

An audit of septic systems in Peterborough found that more than 70% are failing and critical sewage infrastructure is falling apart. There is extreme concern about the capacity to upgrade the town’s sewage system.

There are four separate native title claims that intersect at Orroroo.The State has previously indicated to the claim groups and other

parties (including the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton) that it is not possible to commence negotiations to recognize native title by consent and agree the terms of a settlement ILUA until the question of which group holds native title has been resolved.

The complexity of the overlaps over Orroroo and the interaction with claims over the wider area make it difficult to estimate a time frame for resolution of these issues. Crown land estimates that two to three years is a likely time frame.

The District Council of Orroroo is seeking clarification on the progress of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) relating to a Native Title Claim in Orroroo. A reasonable estimation of when the process is likely to be completed will enable the council to plan for the town’s future.

PLANNINGKey issues Our Response

The visual impact of wind farms is assessed by the relevant development assessment body, and the requirement for the assessment of visual impact has not been removed.

When assessing the visual impact, it is stated that visual impact can be managed if wind generators are setback at least 1000 metres from non-associated dwellings and at least 2000 metres from defined and zoned township, settlement or urban areas.

Visual amenity was removed as grounds for complaint for the installation of windfarms in the region.

Councils are integral to the delivery of planning functions and will remain so.

Changes to any system are complex and involve all parties making trade-offs. This is why the Government established an arms’ length independent Expert Panel to inquire into the planning system. The panel consulted widely over two years, including with local government, and reached over 2,500 South Australians over 175 separate engagement events.

Many of its recommendations will see councils empowered to deliver planning, development and place-making functions in better ways than current law allows. The reforms are intended to strike a better relationship between state and local government by recasting their respective functions and responsibilities under the planning law.

The Government is engaging with the Local Government Association (LGA) in preparing the draft legislation and is happy to take on board suggestions from the local government sector through the LGA.

The Northern Areas Council is concerned that it will lose much of its planning authority through proposed reforms to town planning legislation.

The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) is working with DPTI to make local government Crown land dealings more flexible.

This includes reviewing Crown Land policies, drafting a local government Crown Land strategy, and seeking the endorsement of a project to reduce red tape.

Local government will be engaged through these processes to identify areas for improvements to the Act.

A partnership between local and state government has been proposed to reduce red tape around the transfer of Crown Lands.

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All child protection notifications are received and assessed by the Child Abuse Report Line. Those matters assessed as reaching the threshold for statutory intervention are referred to the local Families SA office.

In each Families SA office, the Assessment and Support Supervisor assesses the level of relative risk and prioritises those matters of highest risk.

Where possible, referrals are made for other services to provide Early Intervention Support for vulnerable families. Our capacity to action child protection matters is in direct correlation to workload demand and workforce capacity and capability.

Child protection notifications are unactioned.


Boarding facilities are currently located at Lucindale Area School, Burra Community School and Cleve Area school.

A boarding facility was previously located at Cowell Area School, however due to persistent low numbers the sustainability of the facility was not viable.

The Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) has not forecast this project in upcoming budgets.

DECD will work with the school to investigate alternative options to enable students to access the school’s programs.

DECD offers a range of incentives and entitlements to support teachers choosing to work in rural and remote areas, including cash payments, relocation and housing subsidies and additional salary increments as well as guaranteed transfers to other country or metropolitan locations.

The value of entitlements is determined by the location and country zone in which the relevant school/preschool is located and the period of time in which the teacher is employed.

DECD will continue to monitor teacher workforce supply and demand trends in order to respond to any future shortages, especially in rural and remote areas.

The Orroroo Area School wants to develop boarding facilities to enable students from farming properties to attend high school closer to home.

Recruitment of staff, particularly leaders, for schools in the region is difficult. It is felt that the small difference in pay scale between leadership and teaching staff acts as a disincentive for teaching staff to take on leadership roles.

EDUCATION AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT


A range of services are available in Peterborough to address these issues, including drug and alcohol counseling services, parenting programs, courses for the development of life skills and much more.

Peterborough is one of four communities identified by the Premier to be included in the Thriving Communities initiative led by Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI).

The Thriving Communities initiative uses a collective, community-led approach to assist communities experiencing strong patterns of intergenerational disadvantage to identify and take action to achieve a positive vision for their future in areas they consider a priority. The Thriving Communities initiative will consider these issues as priority community needs.

From July 2015, UnitingCare Wesley (UCW) will receive funding of $41,500 per annum for a community hub in Peterborough. UCW will employ a Coordinator at the Hub which will be a safe and welcoming facility where the most vulnerable in the community can participate in social and life skills, enhancing activities and be linked to co-located and visiting services.

Poverty and family issues are significant challenges for students at Peterborough High School, including parental drug and alcohol misuse, intellectual disability and a lack of basic life skills such as cooking and cleaning. In addition many students in Peterborough do not have internet access at home, with less than 40% uptake of internet access in Peterborough, due mainly to affordability.

The Government acknowledges that the region has lower levels of participation in higher education and training.

The Government’s new ‘WorkReady’ scheme has been designed to improve training completion rates and seeks to build a skilled and capable workforce, able to fill current and emerging job opportunities.

The Mid North has low levels of participation in higher education, combined with low levels of completion of training, when compared to other regions.

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The Building Family Opportunities (BFO) program addresses intergenerational unemployment, amongst other issues, by promoting integrated service delivery, collaborating and coordinating with Local, State and Australian Government services to ensure a ‘wrap around’ response that addresses the needs of jobless families.

In its first 15 months of operation in Peterborough, BFO has worked with 33 individuals across 11 families. Seven of those families have accessed training and education opportunities, with three people in two families having found employment.

Peterborough High School is also funded as part of the Student Pathways Career Development Strategy. This funding assists selected schools to further develop and share practices that will contribute to career development improvement in their own school and others.

DECD will continue to provide these programs into the future.

There are strong patterns of habitual and intergenerational unemployment in Peterborough. Of the opportunities that do exist in the region, many are casual positions or have significant barriers to entry.


The 20 OPAL sites, plus other South Australian Councils, are being offered ongoing resource, training, and project management support as part of the growing OPAL network. This will enable them to better deliver on their Regional Public Health Plans related to community members eating well and being active.

The Government has also been a strong supporter of school gardens and kitchen gardens through the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program.

The OPAL program in the Mid North is the only multi-Council OPAL site in South Australia, servicing the Northern Areas Council, the District Council of Mount Remarkable and the District Council of Peterborough regions.

The OPAL Program has commenced discussions with the three participating Councils regarding ongoing sustainability of the OPAL initiative in the region, with a focus on building formal partnerships with the current and potentially neighbouring Councils.

Funding has been cut to the OPAL (Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle) program that has been working with school children to teach them about nutrition and basic cooking skills.

COMMUNITY

Key issues Our ResponseThe Government’s new ‘WorkReady’ program will strengthen connections between training and employment opportunities, building a skilled and capable workforce that is able to fill current and emerging job opportunities.

The Skills for Jobs in Regions program currently provides skills development and job opportunities in areas of regional and local industry demand. The program links people with skills and jobs, while giving industry and employers access to a skilled workforce. Local employers are on board from the start, committing to providing jobs for work-ready participants. Skills for Jobs in Regions delivers flexible and responsive locality-based projects and career development services which meet the needs of individuals, communities, regions and industry.

Over the past five years, some 110 places in these projects have been accessed by Peterborough residents.

There is a high rate of welfare dependence, with many welfare recipients attracted to Peterborough due to low rental costs.

The Adult Community Education (ACE) program provides training in foundation skills such as reading, writing and numeracy, as well as computing and other workplace skills.

Peterborough has been identified as a priority area, and work will be undertaken to identify suitable organisations with capacity to be approved ACE Providers in the region.

There are low levels of adult literacy in Peterborough, which is contributing to the lack of knowledge of what support services are available and where.

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