Outspoken councillor Dale Price wants to issue a “please explain” to Premier Steven Marshall regarding State Government funding for his district.

Cr Price is seeking the support for his notice of motion from his 11 fellow elected members of Wattle Range Council when they hold their October monthly meeting in Millicent tonight.

The Sorby Adams ward representative and one-time Liberal Party member has been a regular critic of the decisions of State Governments of both political colours since his election 11 years ago.

Now Cr Price has his political sights set on the head of the government.

His motion calls on Wattle Range Council to seek a written response from Premier Marshall regarding the lack of funding for anything in the Wattle Range Council in the State Budget.

“Whilst council appreciates the invitation for the Mayor Des Noll and chief executive Ben Gower to meet Deputy Premier Vicki Chapman, we feel written correspondence regarding our council area and State Budget expenditure or lack thereof, for elected members and residents of Wattle Range Council, would allay any misconceptions that we were forgotten in the Budget,” Cr Price said.

Meanwhile, a further motion from Cr Price in tonight’s agenda relates to State Government funding of road upgrades.

Cr Price wants his council to write to Transport Minister Corey Wingard and the Treasurer Rob Lucas seeking a written commitment to fund the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) proposed upgrades of Kangaroo Flat, Mile Hill, Mount McIntyre and the Overland Track Roads as a matter of urgency for the safety of those who use these roads.

There are three other motions on tonight’s agenda which runs to 550 pages.

There will be further consideration of an adjourned motion moved by Mayor Noll last month calling for Wattle Range Council to consider withdrawing its funding of Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast in 2022/23.

Deputy Mayor Cr Moira Neagle wants to invite the Member for MacKillop Nick McBride to address aspects of the maintenance contract on local State Government roads.

“We need to keep the pressure on the State Government to ensure that maintenance is done promptly and effectively,” Cr Neagle said.

“In inviting Mr McBride to address us, this issue will be kept alive with an improved chance of ensuring

road quality and, therefore, safety for our ratepayers who are also tax payers.”

Cr John Drew wants council to donate $1000 to the new Millicent Shares a Plate group to enable the purchase of essential items.

“There is an urgent need to support the homeless and disadvantaged people of the Millicent Community through the provision of food,” Cr Drew said.

“The Millicent Shares a Plate group is an initiative of the Social Issues Committee and has taken its ideas from a very successful community group operating in Mount Gambier.

“Initially, the group plans to hold free soup evenings in the kitchen of the Millicent RSL War Memorial Hall (to be negotiated) or another suitable venue until there is an established and proven need and capability.

“Additionally, as it will be volunteer operated, it will be necessary to ensure there is a sufficient pool of volunteers to operate the kitchen.

“The intent, apart from the provision of food, is to encourage people to get out of the house and meet others.

“Social interaction is seen as a major goal.

“It is planned that local food providers will be approached to help with surplus food as happens in Mount Gambier.

“In the longer term the meal will expand beyond soup to a nourishing meal either taken away or, Covid permitting, eaten on site at a table.”