Spencer Gulf Cities Mayors/Council Members meet the Federal Election Candidates for Grey

The Mayors and Council Members of Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie met 5 of the 9 candidates for the Federal Election for the seat of Grey on 11 May.

The candidates were asked to address the 4 issues raised in the Spencer Gulf Cities (SGC) Federal Election Platform document covering the issues of:

• Green/Renewable Energy – creating a centre of excellence and education and skills hub in the region; attracting new businesses and industry
• Housing – creating incentives to address the housing crisis in the region; upgrading poor quality housing; increasing rental supply; sharing the cost and risks for new housing, including putting in place common infrastructure
• Education & Workforce – securing traineeships, apprenticeships and academic opportunities aligned with future needs; assisting local businesses; better connecting
  young people in schools with job opportunities
• Water Infrastructure – supporting the conduct of demand studies and modelling aligned to current/future needs; supporting infrastructure investment; supporting
  development of climate change and adaptation strategies (relative to water provision)

“With $15b of economic investment and 9,000 jobs projected over the next several years, it was critical for the Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie local elected members to hear what these candidates would advocate for and deliver for our region. Each candidate was given an opportunity to speak to our issues, answer questions from elected members and raise other issues of importance to them” said Mayor Stephens, Chair of the SGC.

An invitation was extended to all 9 candidates with Rowan Ramsey (Liberal Party), Liz Habermann (Independent), Tim White (Greens), Susanne Waters (United Australia Party), and Richard Carmody (Independent) available to attend and speak to the group.

Mayor Stephens said, “that it was clear from the candidates’ input at the session that they were generally supportive of the commitments sought by the SGC and demonstrated a willingness to meet with the Councils and communities, if elected, to work with us. This Federal election is critical to the future direction of the SGC and we stand ready to work with the government elected and with our local MP on our priority issues.”

End

Contacts:

Mayor Leon Stephens, SGC Chair & Mayor Port Pirie Regional Council – Mobile 0417 080 961