Plains Producer $1.50
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
STAR OF THE NORTH
Residents query rate change RATEPAYERS in the District Council of Mallala (DCM) have aired concerns over increased rates from a proposed change in its rating system but council denies the new system will boost rate revenue. DCM chief executive officer, Charles Mansueto, said the current rating system had been in place for the past two decades. “We have an obligation to review council’s rates policy, which hasn’t been updated for 20 years,” he said. The proposed change would mean switching from the planning zone rating system, to the land
Les Pearson reports:
use rating system, which involves individual assessment by the State Valuer-General. Wakefield Regional Council has used the land use rating system since 2004. Residents have contacted the Plains Producer with concerns of increasing rates. Mr Mansueto said under the new system,
some would receive lower rates, while others would increase. “It can be higher or lower, depending on where each individual ratepayer fits in which category,” he said. “What won’t increase is the total rate revenue.” Rate increases under the new system have been capped at 7.5 per cent per rateable property. Council’s current rating system is based on locality zoning, while the land use system is by far more common in South Australia. There are 17 councils still using the locality model, while 36 operate under the land use system. Two public meetings have been organised
to discuss the issue, the first is on Tuesday, February 14 at 7pm at Mallala Institute and the second will be held the following evening also at 7pm, in the Two Wells Community Centre. “Anyone with any general questions or concerns, by all means, are welcome to attend,” Mr Mansueto said. “If people have a separate, specific question regarding the impact it will have on their property, feel free to contact the council office.” The public consultation will then be reviewed at a special meeting on March 5 to decide on applying the rating system for the following financial year in 2012/2013.
echo ee Fr
TwO wellS & DiSTriCTS
Est 1978
FEBRUARY 2012
Aussie beach babe
n liTTle Mathilde Drexel might only be a relatively new Aussie – but she certainly lived up to our great tradition of beachside fun under blue skies at Middle Beach on Australia Day last month. At just 22 months she loved playing in the sand. Mathilde is the daughter of Michelle Drexel from Banksia Park and granddaughter of Middle Beach Shack Owners Association president, John Drexel and his wife Christine. PICTURE: Bec O’Brien.
MOllie FrOST Our Citizen of the Year – See why, on Page 5 ALL THE FUN OF AUSTRALIA DAY: PAGES 2, 8 & 9 PLANNING FOR
progress GO TO PAGE 6
CONTACT US www.twowellsecho.com.au Phone 8862 1977 Fax 8862 1997 news@twowellsecho.com.au
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echo Est 1978
FEBRUARY 2012
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BALAKLAVA High School principal, Mark Healy, hands student Dylan Pfeiffer keys to a tractor purchased through the Commonwealth grant in a symbolic gesture watched by team members who helped drive the project: tech studies vocational education co-ordinator, Wally Radowicz, ag science teacher, Sue Pratt and BHS administrator, Ruth Stevens. INSET: Dylan Kearns uses a MIG welder.
Centre of education
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BEST COUNTRY NEWSPAPER IN SOUTH
Thursday March 12, 2009
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INSIDE:
More of the best!
Who’s the party animal? SEE Page 32
principal, mark Healy, and Travis Bedell with front, BHS – piCTuRE: Lisa Redpath. (from left) Sam marriott, Dylan Harrison-Brady studies teacher, Wally Radowicz. Jumping for joy – Students at rear teacher, Sue pratt and technology administrator, Ruth Stevens, agricultural
Education ‘hub’ schools boost
TAFE project Balaklav a High leads $2.6 million
Home On the Plains
will be In Balaklava, schools and students Community building ce- High School, Clare High and Burra able to access training in engineering; Balaklava and Riverton have beenwith School. up to and construction; and agriculture. mented as education hubs for the region, high will Together, the schools have gained local at Riverton, automotive and agriculture the the Federal government announcing $2.6 million grant funding to implement will specialise in building Centres. to be spent at be offered, while Clare schools will become Trade Training to train project, with about $1.1 million and construction and Burra in agriculture. Students and adults will soon be able construc- Balaklava. n Continued Page 2 with in agriculture, engineering, building and North Page 8 The trade training will be interlinked n Push for combined campus – tion, and automotive through the lower High TAFE, offering participants up to certificate three 16, 17 Page n Student leaders named – Centre of Trade Training, led by Balaklava District in their chosen trade. School and incorporating Riverton and
FIVE PAGES OF HOUSE & GARDEN STARTS Page 11
Sport
Basketball finals fire up – Page 24
(08) 8862 1997 u Phone – (08) 8862 1977 Fax – er.com.au Email – producer@rbe.net.a
CONTACT US: Internet – www.plainsproduc
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AFTER three years of hard work, the Lower North Centre of Trade Training (LNCTT) is now operating at Balaklava High School, making it a regional education “hub” – as promised. It was on this page in March 2009 we announced $2.68 million in Commonwealth Trade Training funding to ensure nationally accredited trade training would be
delivered to the region. Balaklava High School would lead a partnership which also included Burra Community School, Clare High School, Riverton and District High School and TAFE SA Regional. Strong partnerships with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) also have been formed. Participating schools have developed trade focus areas, pur-
chased quality equipment and are now developing various skills to prepare students for jobs. Members of the broader community can also now benefit from TAFE courses through evening programs. n Find out more about Balaklava’s Trade Training Centre and what courses are available to the public in a special feature on pages 10 and 11.
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