City of Onkaparinga Councillor Update

Well the festive season is now completed and I hope that everyone had an enjoyable time with your family and friends. It is a great time of the year to just relax and enjoy the company of those who mean the most to us. I know as I had a great time with my two grandsons as I always enjoying their company.

Appointment as Deputy Mayor

It was with much pleasure that I accepted the role of deputy mayor for the City of Onkaparinga at the 19 November Council meeting. When the new Council was elected in 2018 it was decided not to have a deputy for the first 12 months. I am certainly looking forward to the next 12 months fulfilling this role and I know it is going to be busy, if the months of November/December are any example. My diary filled up very quickly.

Australia Day Breakfast & Bush Fair

I hope that some of you may be able to attend the Australia Day breakfast being held at the Aberfoyle Community Centre starting at 8.00 am. The Australia Day Bush Fair is on again during the afternoon of Australia Day at the South Adelaide Football Club oval Lovelock Drive, Noarlunga, where Council’s Australia Day Awards will be presented. These awards recognise the commitment given to the City of Onkaparinga by residents. I participated on the Australia Day Awards Committee. Also, a Citizenship Ceremony will also be held during this event and I encourage our community to attend.

Rates Rebate Cherry Gardens Memorial Hall

At the Council meeting on Tuesday 10 December it was decided to grant a 100% rebate on the council rates for the hall, even though the committee had made an application for a 75% rebate. This is a good outcome for the Cherry Gardens community and I look forward to working with the community to see what else can be done.

2020 – 2021 Community Budget Workshops

A new initiative was introduced last year during November to hold community budget workshops, so that residents can gain a better understanding of what is involved and assist in the prioritisation initiatives. These were held at Elizabeth House, Aldinga Library and the Aberfoyle Community Centre. Thanks to Bill Semple for attending the one at the Hub. I managed to attend all three and I hope that this will be a process followed each year from now, as it provides residents an opportunity to be included in the budget process at an earlier stage so I thank the administration for introducing this.

City of Onkaparinga Clubs Forum

This is the former Sports, Recreation and Surf Life Saving Clubs Forum (City of Onkaparinga) held its most recent meeting at the Old Reynella Oval during the evening of Monday 9 December, but unfortunately I was unable to attend due to my commitment as one of the judges for the Christmas lights competition and hadn’t received any updates on what occurred to be able to provide some information in this report. I encourage our sport clubs committee members to attend these meetings so that you are able to have a say in relation to initiatives across the whole of the City.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Council.

Geoff Eaton
Councillor
Thalassa Ward
City of Onkaparinga
Email: geoff.eaton@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
Mobile: 0416 637 351