Local ratepayers took the opportunity to voice their concerns on a proposed plebiscite to potentially amalgamate the Mount Gambier City and Grant District councils at two community forums.

Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia Nicola Centofanti and Local Government Shadow Minister Sam Telfer visited the South East to host the forums at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex and East Gambier Football Club.

Many ratepayers expressed frustrations and concerns regarding the plebiscite, which was announced earlier this month.

Mr Telfer said both sessions received an “encouraging turnout” and he recognised the importance of community involvement in decision making.

“What we heard was there were community members who were uncertain of what this process would mean for their community,” he said.

“And also what certain outcomes to a potential vote might mean for their communities.

“The communities of Mount Gambier and Grant have obviously been challenged with this piece of legislation which has been introduced.

“And as much as there’s not the clarity of what an outcome either way might mean, we do not know if it’s going to be a proportional vote, a representative vote, we do not know if there’s going to be a quality of outcome depending on what that vote might look like.”

Ms Centofanti said it was “incredibly important” they visited the South East to hear the community’s thoughts and concerns about the plebiscite.

“Unfortunately when the legislation, because it passed so fast through the House of Assembly, we really had no idea as to whether or not the community had had engagement,” she said.

“So therefore even though it’s been a very short time frame between the legislation passing in the House of Assembly and us going into the Legislative Council this coming Tuesday, it was incredibly important for us to come down and speak to the South East community.”

Mr Telfer said it was important for government decision-makers to engage with their communities to keep them informed and ensure the process was a bottom-up, community-driven approach rather than top-down.

He said the community’s response was reflective of the legislation that was being presented, which he described as “very scant of detail” and “very simplistic”.

“People do not know what ramifications there’s going to be for their communities, that’s what we heard,” he said.

“And it’s important that, as an Opposition, we’re looking at opportunities to put amendments forward the community are asking us to put forward to provide a bit more definition and clarity.

“Regional communities are proactive and involved in decision-making and we need to make sure the best outcomes are delivered for our regional communities.

“Especially here in the South East, where there’s so much economic and community potential if we get the policy settings right.”

Ms Centofanti believed there was a level of frustration amongst community members regarding the lack of consultation and information.

“I think a lot of the questions that we are getting from members of the community is about what does this question mean for us going forward, we have not been equipped with the information,” she said.

“Also as well in terms of a successful plebiscite, what is defined as a successful plebiscite, and that’s been a real concern when you have a big council and a small council, is the success defined as a percentage of the population as opposed to a representative section of both the councils.”

Ms Centofanti believed the take-home message from the forums was community members were wanting a proportionate representation of both councils.

“Thank you to the community for having us and for coming out and engaging with us and letting us know their thoughts,” she said.