Councillor Update

CITY OF ONKAPARINGA THALASA WARD COUNCILLOR UPDATE

ON Business Awards/Go South Go Local

The ON Business Awards are a tremendous opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of businesses within the City of Onkaparinga in what has been a very difficult year for our economy.  I participated on the awards committee in September and community voting closed on 18 October, with the final judging of the winners by the committee in late October.  The award recipients will be announced at the ON Business Awards event to be held this year at the McLaren Vale Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre, McLaren Vale on the evening of Wednesday 11 November.

 A big thank you to everyone that nominated businesses last September to produce the shortlist. The awards come as our Go South Go Local campaign hits its strides, with hundreds of businesses across the city using the campaign messaging on their websites, social media and shop fronts, and more than 1,300 posts on Instagram using the #GoSouthGoLocal hashtag. 

The campaign is aimed at supporting local businesses to recover and grow amid COVID-19, showcasing the amazing products and services available in the region, and promoting the incredible stories of Onkaparinga’s business community.  Remember – you can make a difference simply by buying local. Every dollar spent with a local business helps to rebuild our local economy, grow our local business community, ensure local people continue to be employed, and so much more!

For business-owners, council has developed a toolkit to help your business get involved and spread the Go South Go Local message.  Go to the ON Business website to download digital assets, receive an introductory pack including in-store displays, learn how to get your business listed in our free directory and gain access to events, business advice, offers and promotions. www.onbusinesspartnerprogram.com Together we can help our economy recover, assist our business community to grow and showcase what our region has to offer.

Welcome Cr Sue Tonkin

Council welcomed the City of Onkaparinga’s newest councilor Sue Tonkin at the September council meeting following her success in the recent Mid-Coast supplementary elections.  She was officially sworn in following former Councilor Beau Cowan resigning due to illness.  Sue was an inaugural Onkaparinga councilor and also served on the former Happy Valley Council. She joins Councilor Bill Jamieson on the ward and we’re excited to see them enact some positive change on the Mid Coast.

Shellfish reef announcement

(See Onkaparinga News for more information.) 

Agricultural Town of the Year Award

The iconic towns of McLaren Vale and Willunga have been nominated for the 2020 South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year award and voting closed on 30 October. The award, presented by Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) and Solstice Media, recognises SA towns that excel in agricultural practices and the positive flow-on effect they have on communities.  Voting for 70 nominated towns closed on 30 October 2020 with a judging panel to determine the top five finalists. Finalists will be announced on 20 November, with the winner announced in February 2021.

McLaren Vale is a premium grape growing and food production area, renowned for some of the world’s best wines produced from some of the world’s oldest grape vines.

Willunga is home to gorgeous olive groves and vineyards, with organic farming, on-farm compost, reclaimed water and solar power underpinning the town’s commitment to sustainable living and farming.

Main Road, Cherry Gardens/Chandlers Hill

A road safety issue was raised in September by residents relating to the access of heavy vehicle B Doubles using Main Road Cherry Gardens/Chandlers Hill. As a consequence of an assessment by council administration I have recommended that council will make a submission to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport to restrict the use of these types of vehicles along this section of road.

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