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Yorke Peninsula Media, Minlaton (2025)

18/12/2025

BRAVERY AWARD GOES TO WALLAROO POLICEMAN

This week a Wallaroo policeman received the Police Bravery Medal for his heroic actions which saved the life of a female swimmer in danger.

Senior Constable Geoffrey Munn received his award for saving a woman at Wallaroo on 4 October 2024.

He responded to reports a woman was approximately 100 metres offshore and suffered a medical condition.

The Wallaroo Sea Rescue squadron was delayed and as first on scene, Senior Constable First Class Munn considered the imminent risk to life and swam out with floatation devices.

When he located the woman, she was lying on her back and seemed to be having a seizure.

He managed to monitor and maintain her airway, as he swam back to shore.

Munn was in the water for ten minutes with the female before being assisted by a member of the public on a paddleboard.

The citation says Senior Constable First Class Munn’s quick and decisive action, understanding the risk to himself, he prevented imminent harm to a female in crisis.

12/12/2025

REX GETS ITS WAY THANKS TO THE RUBBER STAMP GANG

Rex Minerals has won its bid to have the Yorke Peninsula Council overturn its decision to leave the Sandy Church Road deed of agreement sit on the table until January 21st.

At its meeting this week Councillor Naomi Bittner moved the motion that the council revoke its decision from November 12th relating to the Sandy Church Road Deed which was seconded by Councillor Michael O'Connell and passed.

However Councillors Adam Meyer, Tania Stock and Roger Johns were absent from the meeting which left the "rubber Stamp" gang as the majority.

Rex Minerals had appealed to the council that its main concern at having the Deed sit on the table until January is that it would have meant the "sealing" window, that is the optimum time for sealing the road, would have passed by and that council would then have to take responsibility for its maintenance.

Councillor Bittner then moved another motion, seconded by Trevor Clerke that Council amend the resolution relating to the Sandy Church Road Upgrade (Stage 3 Roadworks) made at the 13 August Council meeting, to remove part two of the resolution which states as follows:

‘Rex Minerals must resolve the current temporary signage situation at the intersection of Redding Road and the old Yorke Highway through the provision, at its own cost, of a revised intersection alignment designed, reconstructed and given permanent signage for the medium to long term.’

The motion was carried.

Furthermore Councillor Bittner moved a motion, seconded by Councillor Danny Le Feuvre authorising the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate with Rex to provide a medium to long term solution to the current temporary signage situation at the intersection of Redding Road with the old Yorke Highway.

The motion also authorised the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer to sign and affix Council’s Common Seal to the Deed of Agreement with Rex Minerals (SA) Pty Ltd for the upgrade of Sandy Church Road and associated road maintenance, subject to the roadworks schedule provided by Rex Minerals to the 10 December 2025 Council meeting agenda.

Both sections of the motion were carried and the meeting moved on.

A resident from Pine Point told YPM that she couldn't understand why the original motion was passed unanimously to leave the Deed of Agreement on the table until January 21st, then have Rex flex its muscles and the councillors cave in and overturn their original decision.

"Why make such decisions in the first place then roll over when someone huffs and puffs," she concluded.

09/12/2025

REX PUTS THE HEAVIES ON COUNCIL

Rex Minerals has told the Yorke Peninsula Council that if it doesn't rescind its motion from its last meeting putting a hold on roadworks on Sandy Church Road then Rex will not be able to complete Stage 3 of the project at this time.

Instead in a letter to the council Rex Chief Executive Jason Schell said if the decision is not rescinded then he expects council to provide a maintenance plan for the management of the increased traffic movements on Sandy Church Road.

He said the 4 weeks delay in having the motion sit on the table means a 4 month delay in the construction of the road and the mine because the window to bituminise the road in the sealing season ends at the end of March.

The item is listed on the council agenda for tomorrow where Rex Minerals has requested that council reconsider its resolution.

There are four resolutions for the councillors to vote on and they are -

Recommendation A
That Council reaffirm its resolution that the matter be laid on the table until the 21 January 2026 Council meeting.

Recommendation B
That Council revoke, as recommended by the Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cameron that decision.

RECOMMENDATION C
That Council amend, as recommended by the Chief Executive Officer the resolution relating to Rex Minerals – Sandy Church Road Upgrade (Stage 3 Roadworks) to remove part two of the resolution which states as follows:
‘Rex Minerals must resolve the current temporary signage situation at the intersection of Redding Road and the old Yorke Highway through the provision, at its own cost, of a revised intersection alignment designed, reconstructed and given permanent signage for the medium to long term.’

Recommendation D That Council:
1. authorise the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate with Rex to provide a medium to long term solution to the current temporary signage situation at the intersection of Redding Road with the old Yorke Highway following clarification of the extent of what can be done allowing for native vegetation constraints along with confirmation of up to date traffic data and mine access needs; and

2. authorise the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer to sign and affix Council’s Common Seal to the Deed of Agreement with Rex Minerals (SA) Pty Ltd for the upgrade of Sandy Church Road and associated road maintenance, subject to the roadworks schedule provided by Rex Minerals (SA) Pty Ltd.

Mr Schell said given the implications placed upon Rex Minerals are significant, he respectfully advises that unless he can meet with Council and have the decision reconsidered within 7 days, the company will not continue with Stage 3 of the works at this time.

"In the current case where we cannot continue, we ask the Yorke Peninsula Council to provide a maintenance plan for their management of increased traffic movements on Sandy Church Road.

"Please note that Rex Minerals will continue to complete Stage 2 (Intersection) works as planned with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT)," he concluded.

Part of Sandy Church Road will serve as the road transport route to the future Rex mine main entrance.

To facilitate the needs of mine related traffic, Rex had consultants design an upgrade of the standard of that part of Sandy Church Road, connecting the mine entrance to the State Highway network.

Rex had expressed a willingness to fund reconstruction, inclusive of road sealing, and be responsible for subsequent future road maintenance of the upgraded part of Sandy Church Road until mine closure.

Council has been reminded by the CEO that in view of the mine likely going ahead, irrespective of whether Sandy Church Road is upgraded or not, traffic numbers will increase on the section of Sandy Church Road between the mine access and the Yorke Highway creating increased road maintenance needs.

He has suggested that without a Deed of Agreement for road maintenance, Council will potentially see more demand placed on Council’s already limited road maintenance budget.

A YPM reader says the result of the vote will be interesting.

"It's basically a line in the sand moment."

07/12/2025

ALERT! WAROOKA FIRE

The CFS is responding to a crop and scrub fire near Warooka on the Southern Yorke Peninsula.

CFS crews and about 20 trucks, supported by a number of Farm Fire Units and 8 aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft, have stopped this fire from spreading.

They continue firefighting efforts to put out the thick vegetation the fire is burning within.

Crews are expected to remain on scene this afternoon and into tonight to ensure the scene is safe.

Smoke can be seen from surrounding areas.

Roads are currently open around this incident however this may change at short notice.

If driving in the area, especially through smoke, please drive to conditions.

05/12/2025

ONLY 2 VIE FOR INNES/PENTON VALE

Only 2 nominations were received by the South Australian electoral commission for the vacancy in the Yorke Peninsula Council ward of Innes/Penton Vale.

The nominations closed yesterday and a draw was completed for positions on the ballot paper.

William Glasbrook will appear as No.1 on the ballot paper with the other candidate Phil Denham filling second place.

The electoral commisssion will dispatch ballot papers via the post from Tuesday the 13th January until Monday the 19th January.

Voting for the election will close on Monday February 9th.

30/11/2025

REX MINERALS SPECIAL BRIEFING SESSION....DON'T MISS IT

Rex Minerals has been invited to attend a Special Information and Briefing session by the Yorke Peninsula Council at 5.30pm tomorrow (Monday) at the Minlaton Council chambers.

Both the Project Director Graeme Pugh and Mike Roberts from Procurement are expected to outline the problems and likely outcomes from the Sandy Church Road changes and realignment.

The General Manager, McMahon Services Australia Charles Hatcher and the Manager IV & Construction Services, SMEC South Australia Peter Newbold will also talk to the gathering of councillors.

It will be interesting to see if anyone of them cover the tender process for the establishment of workers camps in and around Ardrossan and other problems with the roadworks.

This is your opportunity to stay informed on what will be a growing concern for residents on the eastern aside of the Peninsula and as such you are encouraged by the Yorke Peninsula Ratepayers Association to attend the meeting which is open to the public.

It might be a great idea to join the association as a member so you can have a stronger say on what is happening within your community.

28/11/2025

ANOTHER DRUNK DRIVER DONE IN WALLAROO

A man has been caught drink-driving in Wallaroo early this morning.

About 12.25am Yorke Mid North Highway Patrol stopped a Ford utility on Wildman Street for a mobile driver test.

The driver, a 39-year-old man from Kadina returned a positive result of 0.121.

During questioning, he failed to truthfully answer questions in relation to driving.

He was reported for drink-driving and failing to truthfully answer questions, issued a six-month immediate loss of licence notice and his vehicle will be impounded for 28 days.

He will be summonsed to appear in Kadina Magistrates Court at a later date.

28/11/2025

POWER GRAB CAUGHT IN TIME

The Yorke Peninsula Ratepayers Association is extremely concerned that certain powers of delegation within council are being stripped from elected members and channelled through to the CEO Andrew Cameron.

As such the chair of the Association Deborah Lewis has written to all councillors today expressing concern about the proposed amendments and inclusions to the "Disposal of Land and Other Assets Policy" that was included in last month's agenda.

Ironically the Policy was virtually the last item on the agenda with the hope it just might slip past the councillors, but Councillors Tania Stock and Kristin Murdock moved that the item lay on the table and was carried.

The Association says of particular concern are the exemptions from this Policy.

The Association has asked the councillors why has “or nominated land sales” been deemed necessary to be included?

"What is the definition of “nominated land sales” and who is empowered to make that definition?," Ms. Lewis asked.

"It would seem exemptions were previously related to “minor plant and equipment”.

"But this appears to be a quantum leap and we are very concerned by the scale of land sales this might encompass and what controls are in place," Ms Lewis said.

The Association questions why have a policy in the first place if it can be bypassed so readily.

"Who will review, interpret and ensure principles of the policy are adhered to and what defines “principles”? Ms. Lewis asked in her letter.

"Did the Risk and Audit committee properly consider and assess potential risks through the concentration of decision making to one person, without the apparent need for oversight and agreement by elected council members?

"Who will monitor and evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of negotiations and “value for money” return for ratepayers?" she said.

The Ratepayer’s Association does not agree with the amendments to this policy in its current form and questions the motivation behind it.

"We are increasingly concerned by the apparent and increasing concentration of delegations and power for decision making, in a funnel-like effect, to one individual," Ms Lewis says.

"We do not support this proposal as we believe it has the effect of by-passing elected council member oversight, direction and decision making.

"We further ask that all delegations be reviewed and consideration is given to the risks associated with the current path.

The Association's letter asks council representatives to consider its submission at the relevant workshop to discuss this matter.

24/11/2025

DRUG DRIVER BUSTED AT MINLATON

A man has been arrested after a traffic stop uncovered illegal drugs in the man’s possession.

It will be alleged that about 9.33pm on Monday 24 November, police stopped a Holden sedan on the Yorke Highway at Minlaton for a random driver test.

The driver, a 39-year-old man from Port Broughton underwent a drug test and returned a positive result to methamphetamine.

Further checks revealed the man’s licence was disqualified.

Police then searched the man’s car, locating nine grams of methamphetamine and three grams of he**in.

The man charged with trafficking a controlled drug and possess a controlled substance.

He was also charged with driving while disqualified and may face further charges once his drug test sample has been forensically analysed.

He was bailed to appear in the Kadina Magistrates Court on 2 February 2026.

23/11/2025

THE CLASSIC IS BACK

The dates have just been set for the Yorke Peninsula’s Saltwater Classic which will be held on the weekend of April 18th and 19th next year in Stansbury and Port Vincent.

The biennial festival celebrating great traditions of boating and maritime heritage, has been built on dedicated volunteer input since its inception in 2003.

It will build on the success of the 2024 classic which saw a record attendance including owners and enthusiasts of restored wooden and classic boats.

On shore activities featured seaside markets, displays of vintage cars, motorbikes and caravans, local arts and crafts and regional food and wine tastings.

Over the years it has grown in stature to become a major tourism showpiece of the region beckoning people from across South Australia and beyond to enjoy the natural features, history and coastal culture of Yorke Peninsula.

Independent market research showed the two-day event in 2024 injected almost $1.3 million into the local tourism and hospitality economy.

On the Saturday afternoon, a parade of wooden and classic boats will journey from Stansbury to Port Vincent and live entertainment will be provided on the weekend.

(Photos courtesy YP Saltwater Classic)

16/11/2025

THEY HAVE TO BE KEPT ON THEIR TOES

With lives at stake volunteer marine search and rescue teams on Yorke Peninsula have to be kept up to speed through intense training.

So the Volunteer Marine Rescue Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX) was held at Port Vincent on the Yorke Peninsula yesterday.

It was coordinated from the Coast Guard Port Vincent Radio Base.

These exercises are held to put all of their training into practice so that they're coordinated together and that they can work easily together next time they meet for a real job.

Groups Involved included:

Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol SA Inc. - Point Turton & Port Victoria Divisions.
Australian Volunteer Coast Guard - Port Vincent, Kangaroo Island & O'Sullivans Beach Flotillas.
SA Sea Rescue Squadron Inc. - Edithburgh & Copper Coast Flotillas.
SA Police, Water Operations Unit & POLAIR.

13/11/2025

GYNBURRA FESTIVAL 2026 POSTPONED

The Gynburra festival which is held at Port Victoria each January has been postponed because of the impact of the statewide algae bloom.

The festival is a key calendar event for many Narungga community members.

The Gynburra Management team posted on its socials that the decision has been difficult and delayed because of the impacts of the algae bloom.

"The uncertainty and the very real possibility, of the bloom spreading to our western shores helped shape the decision," the team said.

"The toxic bloom puts the community at risk and also has killed tens of thousands of marine animals including Gynburra (Butterfish) and the impact on those species and their sustainability is unknown.

"The recent state government decision to reduce commercial and recreational fishing in both gulfs also helped sway our decision.

"The Clem Graham Snr Memorial Butterfish Competition is still yet to be decided as further discussions with the family is taking place and we will inform you of their decision and any details that arise in the next few weeks," the management team concluded.

Yorke Peninsula Media

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