Tony's Blog

The Marshall Liberal Government has brushed aside concerns about child safety expressed by the local community in the $5.3 million expansion of Mark Oliphant College (MOC).

The expansion of the college will create places for an additional 100 students and generate more traffic in the locality.

Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo said that while he welcomed the investment in the college the Marshall Liberal Government has failed to listen to community concerns about child safety which will be further compromised by the increased traffic along Newton Parade and Douglas Drive.

Mr Piccolo raised his concerns in the Public Works Committee of State Parliament this week on behalf of repeated concerns raised by the MOC Governing Council and the community generally.

“Traffic congestion has now reached a crisis point, where the government must take action before a serious incident occurs,” said Mr Piccolo.

“The current drop off zones do not cope now, and will be worse with the planned expansion.”

“I am advised that the additional 100 places are likely to create an additional 80 traffic movements in an area which is already not coping.”

The committee was advised that the new project would create an additional 20 staff and visitor carparks.

Mr Piccolo said the Marshall Liberal Government should work alongside the City of Playford to resolve this dangerous situation immediately.

“A solution exists to reduce this problem significantly, but the Marshall Liberal Government have to be prepared to listen to the community and work with the local Council,” said Mr Piccolo.

Mr Piccolo said that the government needs overcome its short-sightedness because in addition to the traffic issues, he was concerned that the expansion will only cater for 2021 students, and by 2022 the college will be at capacity again.

“The committee heard evidence that there are currently 1672 students enrolled at the school and the expansion will cater for up to 1700,” said Mr Piccolo.

“The expansion is based on a current enrolment of 1600 which is clearly out of date and wrong.”

“The college currently is using the library, the boardroom and other facilities as classrooms, which are not designed for that purpose.”

“Students and teachers at MOC deserve better.”

Mr Piccolo called on the Marshall Liberal Government to start planning for the next expansion now so our community is not disadvantaged.

“Sadly, the concerns I raised were brushed aside by the Marshall Liberal Government dominated committee.”

 

CONTINUE READING

  

CONTINUE READING

  

CONTINUE READING

  

CONTINUE READING

At the “dangerous” intersection are (from left) local business man and residents Mr Neville Linke, Owner of Filmer Delivery, Mr Gary Curtis and Member for Light and Duty Member for Schubert, Mr Tony Piccolo.  

CONTINUE READING

“Will the Barossa Tourist Train Make a Comeback?” asks Tony Piccolo MP  

CONTINUE READING

  

CONTINUE READING

Local MP Tony Piccolo with local firefighters, (from left to right) Joe Steiner, Jarrod Sandery, Brett Schumacher and Matt Simusen.

The Marshall Liberal Government’s refusal to provide funds for basic safety equipment is placing the lives of local firefighters at unreasonable risk.

The United Firefighters Union (South Australia Branch) has launched a campaign to make the community aware of the added danger firefighters are facing when doing their jobs due to the Marshall Liberal Government’s apparent lack of plan for providing basic fire appliance upgrades to improve safety.

Local Member of Parliament Tony Piccolo said fire appliances still do not have burn over protection to increase the safety of firefighters when they are assisting with bushfires.

“Many Metropolitan Fire Services (MFS) in peri-urban areas often back up their Country Fire Service (CFS) colleagues in fighting bushfires which requires them to travel through areas while fires are raging,” Mr Piccolo said.

“Gawler is a classic example of an MFS Unit required to support CFS and SES units in nearby rural areas.

“The lack of burn over equipment on these fore trucks puts firefighters at an unreasonable risk.

“Firefighters are not seeking pay increases but rather greater resources for firefighting facilities.”

Mr Piccolo said what is of greatest concern is that the Marshall Liberal Government do not appear to have a plan to upgrade facilities and firefighting equipment.

“With the bushfire season getting longer and more serious, we need a well-resourced emergency service to ensure both fire fighters and the community are being kept safe,” he explained.

“If the Marshall Liberal Government has a plan, they should make it public, as it would provide firefighters and the community with some clarity and confidence that the matter is being addressed.”

 

CONTINUE READING

Local Member of Parliament Mr Tony Piccolo with (from left) student Renee Chamberlain, teacher Tunya Greenhalgh, and student Alex Prior.  

CONTINUE READING

Tony Piccolo MP discussing with residents their concerns.  

CONTINUE READING