Redmond concerned with country issues

Posted on July 31, 2009

Today marks the beginning of a series of visits over the coming months to regional and remote communities throughout South Australia by Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond.

During the next three days Ms Redmond will meet with local people on the Eyre Peninsula as she spends time in Port Lincoln, Ceduna and communities along the west coast.

Ms Redmond says she is looking forward to hearing from local residents and business people about the issues important to them.

“I am aware of the desperate need for improvements to water quality and the need for ensuring the region has long term water security” Ms Redmond said.

“Many Eyre Peninsula communities are rightly angry at the state of country roads with the RAA identifying more than a $200 million backlog in road maintenance built up under the Rann government.

“It is insulting to country South Australians that Treasurer Kevin Foley in the 2009-2010 budget  slashed funds for rural road improvements from $7.76 million a year to just $760,000.

“In just over seven years Mike Rann and Kevin Foley have made SA the highest taxing state in the nation with little improvement to infrastructure development to show for it.

“I am keen to talk with local service providers, small business operators and residents to hear their vision for their local community”.

Ms Redmond, together with Liberal candidate for the seat of Flinders, Peter Treloar begins her regional tour at 1pm this afternoon with a walk down the main street of Pt Lincoln meeting and chatting with traders and shoppers.