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The Border Watch : October 30th 2013
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8 OPINION EDITORIAL REVELATIONS today that the region’s multimillion-dollar irrigation agricultural sector is facing heavy cuts because of a proposed buffer for new forestry estates appears to be a new twist in the nine-year saga. The water allocation plan - which is now with Water Minister Ian Hunter to be rubber-stamped - continues to divide the agricultural community after years of debate. With forestry expansion levies being swept in for the fi rst time in history, the fi ne details in the controversial water budget blueprint will be crucial for both irrigators and the plantation sector. But the State Government must listen to the outcry from Mingbool prime lamb and specialist crop farmer Tony Beck, who has been a vocal voice in agri-politics for many years. With many irrigators facing heavy cutbacks, the government needs to take a fresh look at the document and consider the potential fall-out on important sectors such as dairy, horticulture, cropping and prime lamb production. These sectors are the backbone of agricultural in the region and Mr Hunter must ensure a fair balance is struck between the two sectors. While the water allocation debate is complex and diffi cult for the average person to absorb, farmers are usually resilient and roll with the punches. So today’s vocal backlash from irrigators could be viewed as signifi cant in the ongoing tussle over water allocations. While the forestry plantation sector is also critical for the region’s economy, water authorities and the State Government must ensure a fair and balanced document given the long-term impact on both industries. Let’s hope Mr Hunter also gives regional irrigators enough time to adequately put forward their concerns and a new compromise between both parties can be brokered. After all, intensive agriculture and the forestry and timber sectors both need to grow into the future. VISIT US ONLINE borderwatch.com.au LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Vocal tourism sector support needed THERE is little doubt that Mount Gambier and the South East has received less government attention than other regions for tourism funding. SCOTT GROUP OF COMPANIES 538600 8 - The Border Watch, Wednesday, October 30, 2013 TERESA CRACKNELL Mount Gambier More rides for little kids. There is lots for the older kids, but not many for the really young ones. CINDY BURTON Mount Gambier Pony rides and rides specifi cally for really young kids and more attractions for adults, like car displays and live music. SAMANTHA FREEMAN Mount Gambier Better and different rides because they have the same ones every year. STREET SWEEPER What would you like to see at next year’s Mount Gambier Spring Show? It seems as Troy Bell suggested in Tuesday’s edition of The Border Watch that the rest of the state, Kangaroo Island and the Barrossa in particular are receiving more attention than our region. As has often been said, it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease and we have not been heard in the halls of parliament. Despite all the attention that ministers have declared as their objectives to see Mount Gambier grow, it would certainly appear that tourism has been neglected. I congratulate Troy Bell for his media statement highlighting the need for tourism to receive signifi cant attention and his recognition that this is a signifi cant employer for the region. There needs to be more pressure on council to push for greater cooperation between councils and for our representatives to keep all opportunities for advancing the interests of Mount Gambier front and centre. We need creative thinking in parliament to secure the future of the South East and, with the possibility of a Liberal government in March, we need representation at the centre of the action. Peter Clark, Mount Gambier Pet-friendly South East holiday a treat I HAVE just returned home from a 10-day caravan stay in Mount Gambier. We travel with four small dogs and were very impressed with the facilities available to dog owners. The off-leash areas were very accessible, beautifully mown and a couple were very large, which allowed ample opportunity for trouble-free exercise. What was even more impressive was the fact that all dog owners using these areas must be meticulous in cleaning up after their dogs, as there was no evidence of “doggy droppings” anywhere. We will certainly be visiting again in the future. Well done Mount Gambier. Jan Macklin, Victor Harbor Generosity impresses LAST Saturday at about 1pm, an elderly gentleman had a nasty fall in Compton Street. I attended the scene, as did a few other people passing by. I would like to commend them for their kindness. One nice young lady organised the ambulance, a few other ladies made sure he was comfortable and attended to him and another nice gentleman secured his car. I wish him all the best as he recovers and a big thankyou to those kind and helpful people in the community. Well done, it is great to have a good story when often all we here is such bad ones. Jen Maloney, Glencoe
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