16 Jan 2020
Council President Visits Whyalla | Whyalla News
Louis Mayfield | Whyalla News
VISITOR: South Australian Legislative Council President Andrew McLachlan was in town on Tuesday.
Having spent most of his week helping the recovery efforts in the Adelaide Hills, South Australian Legislative Council President Andrew McLachlan took time out to visit Whyalla and meet Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin on Tuesday.
Mr McLachlan described the mood of the town as ‘buoyant’ after receiving an update on a number of key infrastructure projects in Whyalla including the new jetty, the Bennett Oval redevelopment and the $100 million state government-funded high school.
“It’s important that this infrastructure not only delivers for the people of Whyalla, but also shows how committed we are to the success of the city,” he said.
“Hopefully it leads to other developments and an increased confidence in the city.”
Mr McLachlan also met with a group of local business owners to get feedback about business prosperity in Whyalla and their view on the way forward.
“It helps me personally inform myself as a member of Parliament on these issues and provide feedback to the relevant Ministers,” he said.
Outside of Whyalla Mr McLachlan has been working closely with Member for Kavel Dan Cregan and Member for Morialta John Gardner and assisting with fencing and recovery work in the response to the Adelaide Hills bushfires.
“The community spirit is amazing, the generosity is breathtaking,” Mr McLachlan said.
“Everyone is pitching in, there’s a lot of work to do, and we’ve had outstanding leadership from Premier Steven Marshall.
“My heart goes out to all those that have been affected by the fires. Especially those that have tragically lost loved ones.
“It’s our aim that we don’t return these places to what they were but that they are even better – particularly as tourism attractions.
“We have to be very clear that once the fire season passes it’s OK for people to come back – and that we want them to come back to Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills.”