Public bus services, Centrelink resourcing and dedicated parking for emergency services will be raised for discussion by a local councillor when Mount Gambier City Council meets today.
Councillor Max Bruins has submitted a question with notice in relation to public bus services in Mount Gambier.
“Following on from the announcement the State Government has recently awarded an eight-year contract for the public bus services in Mount Gambier with no increase to the current grossly inadequate service levels currently provided, what future strategic and advocacy work is planned to continue to push this issue on behalf of Mount Gambier ratepayers?” Cr Bruins’ question asks.
Cr Bruins has also submitted a notice of motion that council write to Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth and Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin.
He is seeking an urgent review of resourcing in relation to the processing of Age Pension applications to prevent further social disadvantage to certain members of our community.
“In recent times the application processing times for members of our community seeking social services support by way of the Age Pension has blown out considerably,” Cr Bruins said.
“I have had first-hand experience in recent times with members of our community who have been waiting in excess of five months for Age Pension applications to be processed by Centrelink due to a severe lack of adequate staffing resources.
“This is putting undue strain and pressure on the financial situation of a significant number of elderly residents in our community and needs to be urgently addressed.”
Meanwhile, Cr Bruins is also seeking council liaise with the RSL and District Bowling Club and Mount Gambier branch of the South Australian Ambulance Service in regards to emergency service access to the bowling greens.
“I was approached recently by several members of the bowling club who raised concerns about emergency services having easy access to people on their bowling greens in the event of a medical emergency,” he said.
“There have been a number of medical emergencies in the past where access by the SAAS has been somewhat difficult due to the number of vehicles parked along the southern side of Jubilee Highway East, particularly on weekends.
“In some cases, ambulance staff have had to park behind the clubrooms, which are accessed via Hedley Street, which is a significant distance from a patient which may be on the bowling green.
“The club would like council support in investigating the appropriateness of a dedicated emergency services parking space along Jubilee Highway East to make access by ambulance services a faster and less onerous process.”
Following discussions, if SAAS is in agreeance that a dedicated emergency services parking space is warranted, Cr Bruins has requested council write to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport seeking that such a parking space be installed.
Although a response has been provided by council administration, discussion on the matter is anticipated.
“The RSL and District Bowling Club have previously requested a parking space for emergency services, that was considered by Council in March 2017,” the staff response said.
“At the time, council resolved to respectfully decline the request to provide a space for ambulances on Jubilee Highway East, on the basis that it is not possible to predict either the frequency or the best location for parking to meet the needs of an unknown emergency.
“It is noted that emergency vehicles have the authority to make parking decisions that best meet the circumstances.”
