A local community recovery committee (CRC) is to be established to help lead the Light electorate through the COVID19 crisis, by developing an economic and social recovery strategy and acting as an advocate to governments at all levels.

The Light Electorate Community Recovery Committee (CRC) will bring together a cross-section of leaders from local government, business, education, health and community groups all at the one table to be chaired by local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo.Mr Piccolo said the idea is in response to calls from local community leaders and businesses to convene an economic recovery taskforce to develop a local economic strategy beyond COVID-19.

“I want to work with local community leaders, at the table together to re-charge the local economic drivers of the Light area, to re-set our local economy,” Mr Piccolo said.

“There can be no daylight between what community groups and business know what must occur, and the critically important Decisions that will need to be made to support economic and social recovery.“These groups need to be at the same table empowered to act together,” stressed Mr Piccolo.“We need to discuss and provide ideas on how local businesses and organisations can operate post COVID-19 to thrive.”

“In some cases, it cannot be business as usual, and where possible we need to show how we can all operate in the new digital economy and society.”“We need to ensure we understand our local strengths and how we can make them work for us.”

“The economic recovery to COVID must be locally led,” Mr Piccolo said. “While South Australia appears to have significantly reduced the spread of COVID-19 this is not the case in many other parts of Australia and the world. The Light Electorate CRC must factor this into its thinking in preparing a local economic recovery roadmap.”

“We need to be innovative and agile and include the genuine local expertise we have in Decision making and not simply consult later which will create delays we cannot afford.” With a strong local team, we will be better placed to take advantage of Local, State Commonwealth Government support. “Local GP, and mental health practitioner, Dr Naomi Rutten has agreed to be a member of the committee to provide expertise on health matters, and in particular, mental health.” Mr Piccolo has issued a call for nominations from the following areas of the community.

Local Government

Local Business

External Business Representatives

Regional Development

Creative/Arts Industries

Unions

Education

Youth

porting Clubs

Service Clubs

Churches

Charities

The first meeting will be held at 10:00am on Saturday 27 June 2020, which is United Nations Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day.

Mr Piccolo has prepared a draft term of reference for discussion at the first meeting. The Light Electorate CRC will meet monthly on Zoom while social distancing rules remain in place. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Mr Piccolo at the Light Electorate Office to obtain a nomination form.