THE Hammond electorate has transformed from a Murraylands and Mallee district to a Rural City of Murray Bridge and Strathalbyn township seat.
The seat is held by Liberal Adrian Pederick, also contesting Hammond are The Nationals' John Illingworth, The Greens' Tim White, One Nation's Tonya Scott, Independent Airlie Keen, Labor's Belinda Owens and Family First's Cameron Lock.
Stock Journal asked candidates the following questions:
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Hammond?
PEDERICK: Matching people with jobs given the huge growth in opportunities across the region. We must continue to build on the infrastructure development over the past four years, including in health, education and roads. We must also keep working with local government to ensure housing growth can keep up with demand.
ILLINGWORTH: Hammond is poised for significant growth, with residential expansion in Murray Bridge and Strathalbyn under way and several commercial developments, including increasing the Murray Bridge Golf Course to a par 71 championship course and a proposed water sport park, being almost ready for commencement. A shortage of rental properties is hampering growth across Hammond. Increased investment by the SA Housing Authority will not only reduce the financial burden on our disadvantaged community members, it will free up much needed space within the rental market.
SCOTT: This region has a growing number of older Australians, who will progressively need more health and aged care services. We need to ensure funding is sustainable over the long term, that good facilities and services are available in the regions, and we need to be looking after staff a lot better.
KEEN: There are many challenges facing our region, including water security and the environment, increasing input prices and supply, and housing. The housing market has been impacted by COVID-19 and people are being squeezed out of the rental market. More should be done to ease our restrictive planning laws to allow farmers to provide on-farm housing for workers and they shouldn't then be penalised with a hefty land tax bill.
WHITE: The protection of prime agricultural land. The Greens have already begun the discussion in the SA parliament to cease any new mining in water catchments in the Mt Lofty Ranges. The time-limited nature of mining in this area would not be of long-term benefit to the economy or ecology.
LOCK: Adequately preparing the region for expected growth in the next five years. With population growth comes pressure on infrastructure including hospitals, schools, transport, and affordable housing. It will be important to have a staged approach in dealing with these important issues
What do you see as the major issue affecting SA agriculture? How would you rectify this?
PEDERICK: An adequate workforce is a major issue for both the agriculture and value adding food processing sector. Continuing to train people as apprentices and trainees as well as on the job training will assist everyone in the agriculture field. As borders open up backpackers and skilled migrants will once again be vital into the future.
ILLINGWORTH: One bi-product of growing residential areas, is wastewater. The District Council of Mount Barker is already supplying treated wastewater to irrigate the Callington Oval, after a contract to supply a local mine ended when the mine closed. I have proposed an expansion of the wastewater project, to irrigate the Bremer Valley (in the District Council of Murray Bridge). Increasing water availability, at a lower input cost than potable water, has the capacity to support the cultivation of high density high value crops; particularly as soil sampling has already been undertaken by the local Regional Development Board. Similar schemes could and should be introduced at Murray Bridge and Strathalbyn, with federal grants available to assist councils with infrastructure costs.
SCOTT: The right to farm. If agriculture is going to remain an economic mainstay for SA then policy must reflect that - better water security, less red and green tape, smart infrastructure that facilitates efficient supply chains, and access to lucrative markets. We have some of the best farmers in the world and SA should be an agricultural powerhouse.
KEEN: The shortage of skilled workers. If elected, I will work together with the sector, employers and all levels of government to remove workforce barriers and provide better pathways for local job-seekers.
WHITE: Agriculture must be practiced in a sustainable way, so biodiversity, land, and water are not degraded, and farmers and horticulturalists are supported to act as custodians of the land for now and future generations.
LOCK: Continuing to back and invest in our agricultural sectors. This can be assisted with investment in modern, natural, and sustainable techniques. Also, by providing secure apprenticeships and pathways in these areas will hopefully see the development of skilled workers into the future.
Do you think enough funding is being directed to regional infrastructure, eg roads and health facilities?
PEDERICK: I have seen more investment in regional infrastructure in the past four years than the previous 12 years of my career, including within the Hammond electorate. Across the state there is a $17.9 billion infrastructure build including hospital and school upgrades and roads.
ILLINGWORTH: Perhaps the biggest drawback to growing rural and regional communities, is the lack of support services, particularly in the health and public transport sectors. Increased government spending is certainly needed, but is unlikely with the two major political parties being so city-centric.
SCOTT: The road network around Strathalbyn and Murray Bridge is in a poor state. Some roads have not been upgraded or even properly maintained in many years, and some local roads are noted accident black spots. I'd prioritise the maintenance of existing roads alongside upgrades and new infrastructure. We can always use more health facilities, properly staffed and fit for purpose, in regional SA too.
KEEN: The state Liberals' came to office promising Globelink, but have not delivered on that. We need safe and efficient freight routes and transport planning should take a wholistic and long-term view to include road and rail, passenger and freight. After four years in government, the state Liberals are still spending many millions on studies into transport infrastructure. It is time for decisions to be made and infrastructure built.
WHITE: The state-wide housing crisis is having a significant impact in Hammond, with Murray Bridge experiencing pressures of supply and cost. The Greens have committed to the construction of 40,000 new public sector dwellings across SA for those on low incomes who are currently shut out of the housing market. This new housing will be available for those in paid employment on lower wages, and those receiving government financial support due to unemployment, disability, sole parenting, and aged. In tandem with population growth in Murray Bridge, The Greens will ensure that public services develop with this increase in community life.
LOCK: No. The people of Hammond need greater access to health care with improvements to regional hospitals, ensuring families get the assistance they require without the need to travel to Adelaide. It is also incredibly important to equip regional areas with 24-hour emergency capabilities and more health care professionals including paramedics and mental health staff. Specific transport corridors should seriously be considered, allowing not only freight to travel freely, but also provide efficient passenger transport to and from Adelaide. This plan would reduce pressure on rural roads, which are in need of urgent repair.
Labor's Belinda Owens was invited to participate but did not respond by deadline.
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