Murray Bridge council watch: Monument to Italian community proposed

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The Murray Bridge and Districts Italian Association Incorporated is seeking to put up a new Italian monument in Murray Bridge.

The project would celebrate and acknowledge the contribution the Italian community has made in the district, including through market gardening, construction, logistics, culture and family connections.

Councillor John DeMichele said the idea – approved in principle by councillors on Monday night – would be a wonderful tribute to the Italian community.

“They’re very passionate and believe this is the least they can do for the community,” he said.

The monument is proposed to be located in the linear park on Adelaide Road, near the site of the original Murray Bridge market gardens.

The statue would be similar to the L’Emigrante monument in Berri, dedicated to Italian migrants who migrated to the Riverland.

Cat fight continues

Meanwhile, cat management continues to be a hot topic of discussion for councillors and community members alike.

At the council's meeting this week, Cr Fred Toogood said most days he watched six cats near his home congregate, a number which had grown higher as the months went on.

“It’s a huge problem… they’re pissing on doors and verandahs,” he said. 

Cr Tom Haig asked council staff to provide a report that would outline:

• the council’s cat desexing, microchipping and registration programs
• their up front and ongoing costs
• their success

He also asked that the report cover the effectiveness of car confinement policies in neighbouring councils such as Alexandrina and the Adelaide Hills council.

“What we have now is ‘lets just kick it down the can a bit longer,’” he said.

“What I'm asking for is not scientific… how hard is it to make contact with the relevant people… start the communications?

“The community are seeing these animals multiplying and out of control.

“We should have never been in this situation … it should've been done within a month.” 

Community development general manager Deb Richardson said that if councillors wanted a comprehensive report, they might need to hire an external consultant or wait a bit longer – until next April.

“I would want to make sure that information is delivered with some analysis,” Ms Richardson said.

Cr Haig reluctantly agreed to the new date.

“If this report isn't here by April … I'll probably be more angry and frustrated than I already am,” he said.

Cr Airlie Keen said it was certain that the issue was understood and shared in the community, but the council didn’t have the capacity to do everything at once.

She suggested staff provide a progress report once legislation made it through state Parliament instead.

In a recent petition, more than 800 locals said the council needed to take serious action on cat management.

Local businesses need to be put first, councillor says

Cr Tom Haig has gone in to bat for local businesses, advocating for a review of the council's procurement policy and preferred supplier list to make sure local businesses are prioritised in council tenders.

“Certain businesses here in Murray Bridge raised the issue with me of a ‘preferred supplier list’,” he said.

“Local businesses have communicated that some time ago they were invited by council to put their name on a ‘preferred supplier list’ and haven’t been contacted since that time.

“We need to ensure, where possible, that we support local businesses.”

Council staff will come back with a detailed report.

New funding for the Murray Mallee Community Passenger Network 

Councillors have agreed to continue funding the Murray Mallee Community Passenger Network (MMCPN), administered by the Tailem Bend Community Centre (TBCC), which plays a vital role in addressing the transportation challenges faced by residents of the Rural City of Murray Bridge.

The MMCPN had sought a contribution of around $32,000 from the Murray Bridge council, in addition to the similar amount it sought from the Coorong council and lesser amounts from four other councils.

The network offers safe and affordable transport to all ages including elderly, children and families. 

In the last 11 months the medical bus had 64 consumers over the age of 65, and 14 under 65.

Cr Toogood had a few comments on the details of the network, mostly on the time frame allowed for appointments: from 11am to 2pm.

Staff said further information would be sought on whether the time frame included travel time.

Should all Callington residents get green waste bins?

Cr Airlie Keen has called for an investigation into providing green waste bin services to residents of specific areas in Callington.

Residents who paid residential rates but whose properties were zoned as primary production or rural living weren't being provided with the bins, she said.

These residents were paying higher residential rates, yet were not receiving equitable services, compared to nearby homes.

Council staff will report back by March to ensure alignment with the council's rating policy and the principle of fair service provision.

Improving pedestrian safety on East Terrace, Callington

Cr Airlie Keen has advocated for an investigation into pedestrian and cyclist safety along the western side of East Terrace in Callington.

A local resident in the area who uses the trail brought the issue up to her due to its narrow, uneven, and overgrown nature.

The section is a designated trail, yet its current condition posed significant safety issues, she said.

Staff agreed to report back by February.

Quote of the month

"It's a cat fight alright, I've never used that gavel and I never want to use it again."

–Mayor Wayne Thorley, on the ongoing cat debate