House of Assembly Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1) 53 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Grievance Debate Local Government Elections Local Government Elections Mr TARZIA House of Assembly Hartley Mr TARZIA (Hartley) (15:30): I rise today to speak about the local government elections that took place at the weekend. Local government is an important part of our system, and the best results are achieved, in my view, when all three tiers of government—local government, state government and federal government—work together. A shining example of where this has taken place is Hartley at the moment, where the Campbelltown Leisure Centre is about to be built, hopefully either late this year or early next year. It is a great example of where those three levels of government have worked together for a facility which is going to be fantastic and one that I am sure future generations will be proud of for many years to come. We have three council areas in Hartley, namely, Burnside, Campbelltown, and Norwood, Payneham and St Peters. I want firstly to congratulate the councillors and mayors who were successful, and I also think it is fitting that we highlight all who offer their service in local government. There were two councillors in Norwood Payneham and St Peters who unfortunately did not get up this time, but I want to acknowledge the strong role they have played in shaping our local society for many years—namely, Isaac Pasalidis, who served for 27 years on Norwood Payneham and St Peters council, and Geoff Rundle, who served for 17 years. Unfortunately, they lost their seats on this occasion, but they have served our local community well over the years. I congratulate the mayors who were elected. In Norwood Payneham and St Peters, we have Robert Bria, who was unopposed, and in Burnside, also unopposed, we have mayor David Parkin. In Campbelltown, I would like to congratulate mayor Simon Brewer, who was elected at the weekend. A number of councillors were elected in Norwood Payneham and St Peters. I congratulate Lucy Marcuccitti and Christel Mex in Kensington Ward; in Payneham Ward I congratulate Carlo Dottore and Kevin Duke, and in St Peters Ward I congratulate John Frogley and Evonne Moore. In Torrens Ward, John Minney and Garry Knoblauch are two councillors in particular who have served for many years and I wish them well for their next term. In West Norwood/Kent Town Ward, Paul Wormald and Sue Whitington were elected, and I congratulate them and offer my sincere best wishes. In the Maylands/Trinity Ward (my old ward), Sophia MacRae, Kevin Shepherdson and Connie Granozio were elected. Campbelltown has the most part of that area which is in Hartley, and about four wards flow into Hartley from that council area. I acknowledge their election and wish the councillors all the very best in their endeavours over the next four years. In Gorge Ward, Dom Barbaro and Max Amber were elected, and I would say that Max Amber must hold the record for the longest serving member on local government in South Australia ever; if not, he would be up there. In Hectorville Ward, I congratulate John Kennedy and also James Nenke. In Newton Ward, Anna Leombruno and Jill Whittaker were elected. Jill Whittaker was the deputy mayor in the last term. In River Ward, I congratulate Marijka Ryan and Matthew Noble, Matthew Noble being a new councillor, and Marijka Ryan I particularly want to mention, as she has lobbied the state government to reinstate funding at Paradise Interchange. That is a very important issue, and I look forward to working closely with Marijka Ryan over the next four years to make sure that the government reverse their decision at Paradise. In Woodforde Ward, I congratulate Neville Grigg and also Robert Tidd. Robert Tidd is a new councillor and I welcome him. In Burnside council, I take the opportunity to pay tribute to the councillors who were elected and to wish them all the very best: in Beaumont Ward, Anne Monceaux and Mark Osterstock; in Burnside Ward, Lance Bagster and Graham Bills; and in Eastwood Ward, Helga Lemon and Di Wilkins. Mr Speirs interjecting: Mr TARZIA House of Assembly Mr TARZIA: I hear, 'Hear, Hear!' from the member for Bright. It is good to see that other members also support these councillors. In Kensington Gardens and Magill Ward, I congratulate Henry Davis, a new member of council—and I know that he will do a great job—and also Grant Piggott, an existing councillor. In Kensington Park Ward, we congratulate Jane Davey and Felicity Lord. In Rose Park and Toorak Gardens Ward, I offer my best wishes to Peter Ford and Peter Cornish. We all know that public life is difficult at times and it takes its toll on family and friends. I wish these new councillors, existing councillors and the mayor all the very best in offering their service to our local community over the next four years. I congratulate those who were successful. I also thank those who were not successful on this occasion but have offered their service, and I wish them all the very best moving forward.