23/10/2022
Wednesday morning I went to the Mt. Pleasant Men’s Shed where for Mental Health Awareness Month in South Australia, Denise Westwood, a Mental Health Nurse from the Lyall McEwin Hospital gave an excellent presentation about mental health. A presentation full of many valuable insights from an insider’s point of view. The shed is certainly being put to the use envisaged by the Australian Men’s Shed Association and the Barossa Council when they contributed to its construction. (picture of Denise)
I spent late Thursday morning and early afternoon at Woodside providing my services as a Justice of the Peace at the Adelaide Hills Business Centre, thank you to Gordon Kay for the provision of your premises.
Thursday evening, I travelled to Lyndoch with fellow candidate Bob Woodbury where we attended a meeting of the Southern Barossa Alliance. Bob is Secretary of that organisation, well done Bob for your community involvement. It was also pleasing to see another candidate, Katrin Lohner in attendance, providing information about herself to those in attendance. It was appreciated, and by listening I learnt quite a lot more than what is in her Candidate Profile, thank you Katrin.
Friday I was over to Williamstown and Lyndoch with Bob Woodbury, we went for a walk around both towns, doorknocking, handing out flyers, listening and learning about many and varied Council related issues.
Saturday morning, I was on the gate at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market, again handing out my election flyer and speaking to people about Council related matters as they came through the gate. Again, roads were top of the pops, that is where people want improvement, and not just at a local Council level.
My last two posts have provided examples of the provision of public services, I continue on the same theme this evening. The year before last a new section of footpath was laid in Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant. That work encompassed new drainage work at the junction with Saleyard Road. Then earlier this year there was new footpath and road work in Saleyard Road. I watched as gravel from the top of Saleyard Road washed down the hill and filled the drainage pit at the corner of Melrose Street and Saleyard Road. Water was flowing across Melrose Street causing a danger to motorists. I contacted Council and the pit was cleared of debris. After the next shower of rain again water flowed down Saleyard Road and out onto Melrose Street, it was obvious to me that the drain was blocked and water was not flowing to the River Torrens. I walked across Melrose Street and found water bubbling up from underneath the bitumen road. Again, I contacted Council and a staff member attend where I showed him my observations. A camera was called for and the drain inspected, a section of pipe under the road had collapsed. Luckily contractors were in Mount Pleasant carrying out other civil works, they were contacted, dug up the road, cleared the drain and installed a new piece of pipe, finally the drainage works. As you can see from this and other examples as a Councillor, I have constantly struggled to have preventative maintenance undertaken rather than persistent reactive maintenance. I’ll continue to advocate for preventative maintenance. As a local I see things and do something about it so that communities are developed in a socially just manner. Vote 1 Don Barrett for local representation.
Written and authorised by Don Barrett, 112 Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant SA 5235.
