The Yorketown Airstrip will be in the spotlight with a runway lighting upgrade ready to take off.

Yorke Peninsula Council has been successful in obtaining $96,738 through the State Government’s Support Regional Aviation Program.

The program contributes funding towards infrastructure improvements at regional aerodromes.

The total project is expected to cost $196,738 with Council funding the remainder.

“The funding will be used to upgrade the runway lighting, including the lighting control system to LED lighting with Pilot Activated Airport Lighting Control,” CEO Andrew Cameron said.

“The upgrade is required as the current lighting system at the Yorketown airstrip is of an unknown age and is beginning to show signs of age-related deterioration which may impact the ability for the airstrip to be used at night.

“Should this occur it will have a direct impact on the ability for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and CFS to use the airstrip in low light and at night.”

Minister for Regional Roads Geoff Brock said safe, operational regional airports are vital in the delivery of essential goods and services such as food supplies, health care and passenger air services to remote communities.

“These regional airports, airstrips and aerodromes provide a vital service to local communities by improving access, boosting tourism and making travel across the state easier,” Mr Brock said.

“The upgrades are also crucial for emergency service providers, as these facilities often play a critical role in emergencies by giving first responders better and quicker access.”

The upgrade is expected to begin in first half of 2023 with works to be completed by 30 June.

Experts in the field of accessibility discussed how to make Yorke Peninsula a better place for all, including people with disabilities and other conditions, during a workshop in Port Vincent on Tuesday, 18 October.

Yorke Peninsula Council, with Tourism Industry Council of South Australia and Yorke Peninsula Tourism, welcomed more than 30 people to the workshop both in person and online.

Jennifer Brunton from the South Australian Tourism Commission discussed the importance of ensuring businesses and tourist offerings could welcome people with accessibility requirements.

Accessibility tourism assists 1.3 million people – seven per cent of the population – and is worth billions of dollars per year, Ms Brunton said.

However, the market could be much bigger, as 22-23 per cent of people with a disability are not currently holidaying because they find it too difficult or stressful, she added.

Kadina’s Jane Gersch, who lives with an acquired brain injury, discussed her experiences holidaying and what she felt could be improved.

“Travellers need to be able to easily determine what accessibility options are available before they holiday, so they can be confident they will be catered for,” she said.

“Having a disability can be hard, and you spend a lot of time researching what you can and can’t do before a holiday, so that process needs to be easy.”

Susan Peucker from Big 4 Renmark Riverfront Caravan Park, which has won awards for being accessible, shared her experiences.

The park installed a sensory room for children with autism, a modest investment that has had huge benefits for the business, among a number of other inclusive initiatives.

All guest presenters were thanked with a gift basket of Yorke Peninsula produce courtesy of Nourished by Jo.

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Accessible Tourism Accreditation support

 Businesses can now access a detailed checklist to become more accessible and inclusive, and when they meet all essential criteria they can earn Accessible Tourism Accreditation badges.

This accreditation is formal acknowledgement that people with accessibility needs can check before choosing a holiday destination, and also ensures a business is accommodating to as wide a variety of clientele as possible.

Rebecca Uphill from the Tourism Industry Council of South Australia explained the benefits of going through the accreditation process, one being that businesses receive resources and guidance that they can keep, even if they are unable to meet accreditation standards.

Yorke Peninsula Council made a commitment to help eligible businesses through the accreditation process, and encourages anyone interested to email admin@yorke.sa.gov.au or to contact TiCSA on info@ticsa.com.au.

More than 250 children and adults attended free Nature Festival event Guranna Wilba Minlagawingga (Good Day at Minlagawi) on Thursday, 13 October.

The all-ages event was held in the Minlagawi Gum Flat Reserve, Minlaton, and included a huge range of activities, from cubby building to Nharangga string making and throw sticks, meet and greets with a variety of animals, leaf and rock art, live music, mindful dance and movement, outdoor circus tricks, water bugs, kids’ yoga and much more.

The event was proudly supported by Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association, a SYP Community Hub and Wellbeing SA partnership, and Yorke Peninsula Council.

Animals Anonymous was supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, in partnership with the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.

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Yorke Peninsula Council Environment Officer Letitia Dahl-helm said she was pleased the weather forecast didn’t discourage people from attending.

“This year more activities were on offer including wadna (boomerang) throwing, Nharangga string making, rock art, nature crowns, face painting and circus tricks which were all really popular,” Mrs Dahl-helm said.

“Animals Anonymous had beautiful bettongs, bandicoots, a large lovely python and a very big and friendly goanna that all the kids couldn’t wait to see and talk about.

“Interacting with the animals allowed participants to learn about the benefits of the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board’s project Marna Banggara which is reintroducing small marsupials to southern Yorke Peninsula.”

Mrs Dahl-helm said the event was the perfect chance to enjoy the great outdoors.

“We’re so thankful to all of the partners and hosts who put on such a great day for all,” Mrs Dahl-helm said.

“The Nature Festival allows Yorke Peninsula Council, Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association and SYP Community Hub to show the beauty and significance of Minlagawi Gum Flat, whilst promoting all of the things you can do in nature anytime, anywhere.”

Yorke Peninsula Council has continued working towards creating an accessible and inclusive tourism sector with a trial of MT Push and eTrike mobility aids.

Yorke Peninsula Council proudly partnered with Yankallila Council and the Legatus Group to undertake the trial through the Open the Door to Nature Project, funded by the Department of Social Services.

The mobility aids were available at Minlaton Caravan Park, SYP Minlaton Show and Marion Bay Caravan Park during the trial, 30 September to 7 October.

Yorke Peninsula Leisure Options coordinator Tanya Walsh led the project for Yorke Peninsula Council, and said it was well received by the community and visitors to the region.

“Participants in the trial spoke about the ease of using the equipment as well as the ability to be a part of the community,” Tanya said.

“One participant, who trialled the eTrike, was able to access walking trails and paths that are usually too challenging.

“The design of the eTrike puts the user in control of propelling, braking and steering the chair and, as a battery-assisted chair, the user is able to traverse over all types of terrain with very little exertion.”

Yorke Peninsula Council Acting CEO Ben Thompson said the success of the trial reaffirms the importance of making Yorke Peninsula more accessible for all.

“This trial encourages Council to continue seeking partnerships with community groups, local businesses and other stakeholders to explore further opportunities,” Mr Thompson said.

“Council aims to make our facilities widely available on a more ongoing basis for all people with a disability living on or visiting the Yorke Peninsula.”

Minlaton Caravan Park managers Glenn and Amy Lennerth said the park is prioritising inclusive tourism.

“We are committed to guest experience and providing accommodation options for everyone,” they said.

“We are continually working towards accessible and inclusive tourism by improving and upgrading aging infrastructure including a new camp kitchen and the inclusion of accessibility villas.

“Thus, we were keen to be involved and host the MT Push and eTrikes trial as this was a great initiative, and Minlaton has many off-trail walking and riding tracks around town.”

Accessible tourism business workshop

Yorke Peninsula Council, in partnership with Tourism Industry Council of South Australia and Yorke Peninsula Tourism, will host an Accessible Tourism Workshop in Port Vincent on Tuesday, 18 October.

Businesses play a pivotal role in making tourism more accessible and inclusive with the accessible tourism market in Australia, which is worth about $8.1 billion, largely untapped.

The workshop will provide an industry-oriented and interactive platform for businesses interested in improving and promoting accessible tourism experiences and services.

Speakers will discuss the value and opportunities for accessible tourism, how to make experiences and premises more inclusive, using the Accessible Tourism Accreditation program and more.

The event is free, and businesses from any region are welcome; however, registration are required.

The Accessible Tourism Workshop will be held in the Port Vincent Institute Hall from 10am to 2pm.

To register visit https://ticsa.com.au/events/events-calendar/#!event/2022/10/18/accessible-tourism-workshop-yorke-peninsula.

Yorke Peninsula Council is working towards developing a Heavy Vehicle Access Strategy to guide the management of heavy vehicle access to Council’s road network.

In addition, the strategy aims to set out a program of works to address key issues identified by civil engineering consultancy practice HDS Australia.

Council will host information sessions in Yorketown and Maitland in conjunction with the Heavy Vehicle Access Strategy Survey.

The survey seeks to gauge the opinions of those who primarily use Council’s unsealed roads (primary producers and transport operators) as well as the measures proposed to address issues identified by HDS Australia.

“Council has the largest unsealed road network of any Council in South Australia with about 3300 kilometres,” Director Assets and Infrastructure Services Andre Kompler said.

“In addition, Council has about 530km of sealed roads, including about 330km of sealed rural roads.

“Council’s unsealed road network is primarily used by those in the agricultural industry to facilitate the movement of livestock and grain off farm as well as the movement of agricultural equipment between paddocks.”

In 2018, Council engaged HDS Australia to undertake an investigation into the safety aspects of B Double routes within the Council area.

“The aim of the Network Level Heavy Vehicle Route Assessment was to determine the overall risk of each road segment and categorise the identified risk as low, moderate, high or very high in accordance with accepted heavy vehicle route assessment criteria,” Mr Kompler said.

“This initial investigation focussed on Council’s rural sealed roads and high use sheeted roads, which make up about 1000km of Council’s road network.”

HDS Australia provided a report and presentation to Council in July 2019.

“In May 2022, HDS Australia provided a report and presentation to Council for the remainder of the unsealed road network,” Mr Kompler said.

“The reports provided by HDS Australia indicate a significant number of very high and high issues.

“Council is now taking steps to address the issues identified by HDS Australia.”

To complete the survey visit https://yorke.elementorg.com/online-forms/community-survey-heavy-vehicle-access-strategy/.

Information Sessions

Yorketown

Date: Tuesday 18 October

Time: 3pm-4pm

Location: Yorketown Town Hall, 15 Edithburgh Road, Yorketown

Maitland

Date: Wednesday 19 October

Time: 3pm-4pm

Location: Maitland Town Hall, 11 Robert Street, Maitland

To register your attendance, please email RSVP@yorke.sa.gov.au by 5pm on Friday 14 October.

Yorke Peninsula Council is seeking expressions of interest from community members to join the Yorke Peninsula Council Art and Culture Working Group.

The Arts and Culture Working Group will consist of up to six community representatives, at least one Narungga First Nation community representative and two Elected Members.

It will be led by Arts and Cultural Facilitator Sonya Rankine, who is employed by Council and Country Arts SA to support and strengthen local community connectedness across all ages through social inclusion, cultural development, civic pride, and community identity.

“We are looking for people with a connection to the arts and passion to see the growth of arts and culture in the Yorke Peninsula Council,” she said.

“A main objective of the Arts and Culture Working Group will be to support the organising and delivery of the 2023-24 Yorke Peninsula Art Exhibition.”

Other objectives of the group include supporting the work of the Arts and Cultural Facilitator and providing consultation and guidance on arts and cultural projects.

“The group will also help identify areas of need and growth in the arts and culture sector on the Yorke Peninsula, and identify and apply for grant opportunities,” Ms Rankine said.

“Other objectives will be the inclusion of Narungga First Nation representation as well as providing consultation and guidance on the development of the Yorke Peninsula Council Arts Activation Strategy.”

Expressions of interest should include why you are interested being part of the Working Group, knowledge and experience across art forms,  knowledge and connection to the local community, and knowledge and connection to Narungga First Nation community.

Applications must be emailed to sonya.rankine@countryarts.org.au by 5pm Wednesday, 30 November.

For more information, contact Ms Rankine at Yorke Peninsula Council on 8832 0000