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Snakes and adders: play it safe this summer
Snakes and adders: play it safe this summer

08 December 2025, 7:33 PM

Fleurieu residents and visitors are being encouraged to stay vigilant as the weather heats up, bringing snakes out of their slumber heading into summer. There have already been several reports of snakes on nature strips and roadsides on the south coast and summer has only just begun.New SA Ambulance Service data reveals 91 patients were treated for snake bites in 2024 – the highest number of callouts in the past five years (2020-2025). Summer has been the busiest season for ambos, with more than 170 snake bites responded to between December and February since 2020 – compared to around 130 bites in spring over the same period. During the warmer months, snakes become active out of brumation – a hibernation-like state – signalling that breeding season is underway. Snakes, like other animals, need food, water and shelter – and will make use of any cover close to the ground, such as wood heaps or piles of corrugated iron. Steps to minimise snake encounters at home include keeping the yard clear of long grass, removing rubbish and actively reducing rats and mice on the property. Bushwalkers in national parks and reserves are advised to stick to trails, make some noise when walking and wear enclosed footwear and long pants. Venomous species commonly found across the state include eastern brown snakes, red-bellied black snakes, copperhead snakes, western brown snakes and tiger snakes.Snakes – which are a protected species and play a vital role in the state’s ecosystem – should be left alone if encountered, whether they are venomous or not. Most snake bites occur only when someone attempts to handle or kill a snake.Benita Dillon, Principal Ecologist Wildlife Management, Department for Environment and Water, says snakes are protected under South Australian law and have an important place in our ecosystem, especially controlling rats and mice.“Just because you’ve never seen a snake on your property doesn’t mean they aren’t there, so you should always be careful about putting your hands or feet into spots you can’t see, like long grass, or that pile of junk behind the shed.”Snakes will generally try to avoid confrontation with a human by either moving away and hiding or lying still until the person has moved away. Like most wild animals, snakes will defend themselves if they are startled, feel threatened or are cornered.If found inside the home, keep children and pets away, watch where the snake goes if safe to do so and call a licenced snake catcher to remove it.If someone is bitten by a snake, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Keep the person as calm and still as possible and apply pressure bandaging. If the bite is to a limb, apply another pressure bandage, beginning at the fingers or toes of the bitten limb and extending upward to cover as much of the limb as possible. Leave the bandage in place until medical help arrives.Do not wash the bite, cut the wound, apply a tourniquet or attempt to catch the snake.For more information on living with snakes and property maintenance, visit the Environment SA website. 

Excellence in business celebrated in Victor
Excellence in business celebrated in Victor

08 December 2025, 8:01 AM

Business excellence across the Fleurieu was celebrated at a gala evening for the 2025 Business Victor Harbor Awards on Friday 5 December at McCracken Convention Centre.This year there were 14 merit based categories, with 73 nominations. Chop It Axe Throwing Alley was named Business of the Year, while the Fleurieu App took out two awards.The 2025 winners are:Services Industries Award – Old Coach Road EstateTrades Business Award – 4Life ConstructionsProfessional Services & Finance Award - Cathy Domoney Executive CoachingPrimary & Agribusiness Industry Award – FPAG, Victor HarborEducation, Employment & Training Award -  Fleurieu Study HubHealth, Social Assistance and Care Award -  SpecSavers, Victor HarborNew Business  Award -  Unicorn Equine ServicesMicro & Homebased Business Award  -  Fleurieu AppRegional Impact Award - Fleurieu AppSustainability Award -  ShedEx FleurieuEmployee of the Year Award   -  Jim Kearns, ShedEx FleurieuApprentice of the Year Award -  Amanda Uttridge Ocean Hair ArtistryExcellence in Workplace Culture & Wellbeing Award  -  Encounter CentreBusiness of the Year Award -  Chop it AxeSusie Williams, creator and Director of the Fleurieu App, said she was both proud and genuinely surprised by the recognition:“To be honest, I’m still in shock! Winning the Micro & Home-Based Business Award is incredibly special, but receiving the Regional Impact Award truly means the world. The Fleurieu App has always been about connecting our community—offering a free local platform where residents, businesses and visitors can find everything that’s happening across the Fleurieu. We work hard to provide a cost-effective and interactive space for local businesses to advertise and be seen across the entire region. For the judges to recognise and appreciate that purpose is something very special, and it really does make all the hard work worthwhile.” The nominees for this year are: 4life Constructions, Back Valley Farm Pastured Raised Eggs, BCS Electrical Pty Ltd, Cathy Domoney Executive Coaching, Chop It Axe Throwing & Escape It Rooms, Encounter Community Centre, FAFM First Aid and Workplace Training, Fleurieu App, Fleurieu Crash Repairs, Fleurieu Locksmith, Fleurieu Study Hub, FPAG (FP Agriservices), JaDs Hairdressers, Kink, Mr Menswear, Newton & Co Real Estate, Ocean Hair Artistry, Oldbook, Old Coach Road Estate, Pan Co, Parkers Crash Repairs Victor Harbor, Plus Printing, Sanctuary Day Spa, See Optometry, ShedEx Fleurieu, Shortie Designs, SkinOptics, Southern Vales Legal, Specsavers Victor Harbor, Spirit of the Coorong, Stacked Signs PTY LTD, Strive Kids Hub PTY LTD, Sweep & Shine, The Big Duck Boat Tours, The Pirate's Seachest, Thinkwater Fleurieu, Trent's Plumbing & Gas,  Unicorn Equine Services, Victor Harbor Motor Co

	 New children’s mental health service in the south
New children’s mental health service in the south

07 December 2025, 8:19 PM

Children in the southern suburbs of Adelaide and on the Fleurieu Peninsula now have access to early intervention and mental health support through a new Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub. The Kids Hub located at the Marion GP Plus Health Care Centre was officially opened last week by Emma McBride MP, federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Chris Picton, SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing. The Kids Hub provides free mental health and wellbeing support for children aged 0-12 years experiencing mild to moderate developmental, emotional, relational and/or behavioural challenges, while supporting their families, carers and kin. Children don’t need a formal referral or diagnosis to receive care. The Marion Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub will service southern Adelaide families, including those living in Bedford Park. Outreach services are also available at the Aldinga GP Plus Health Care Centre, providing access for children, and their families in the outer southern metropolitan region and the Fleurieu. Through the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, the Australian and South Australian governments are working together to establish a Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub across two locations, aimed at improving the mental health of children.  The second site will be established in northern Adelaide with the location to be confirmed. Over the next four years, the federal government is working with all states and territories to create a national network of 17 Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs. Kids Hubs aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children through the provision of accessible, child-centred services at no cost to families. The Marion Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub at 10 Milham Street in Oaklands Park is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Outreach services at Aldinga GP Plus Health Care Centre on Pridham Boulevard in Aldinga Beach are open Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. For more information about Kids Hubs and helpful resources, visit the website. 

Alexandrina honours volunteer service
Alexandrina honours volunteer service

04 December 2025, 2:11 AM

Alexandrina Council has recognised the contribution of 152 volunteers who have contributed 7,329 hours of service to council programs and activities over the past year.Their efforts were highlighted at a recent Volunteer Recognition Event, held at Centenary Hall in Goolwa, and attended by Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes, Councillors Michael Scott, Margaret Gardner and Peter Oliver, Acting Chief Executive Officer Tash Hunt, General Manager Infrastructure Alan Harvey, and General Manager Community Stacey Bateson.The theme for the 2025 event was Sustainability in Action, with natural, fully compostable materials selected to reduce waste and educational materials on recycling and resource recovery provided on guest tables.Certificates of Appreciation were presented to more than 20 volunteers who had contributed 10 years of service (or more) to Council, including Libby Wall, Michael Cordell, Lyn Kearvell and Penny Bell who were recognised for 15 years of service.Council volunteer programs include the Visitor Information Centres at Strathalbyn and Goolwa, the Libraries at Goolwa and Strathalbyn, Centenary Hall and Art Galleries, Open Space and Cemeteries, and the Advance Care Directive support service.“I would like to thank each of the 152 volunteers across our programs who continue to give so generously their time and talents,” says Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes.“Our community relies heavily on the work of our volunteers in our programs and services, and we are incredibly thankful for their continued commitment.“Our volunteers restore native habitat and improve biodiversity, they help make our community gardens and our parks and reserves places that foster community pride, they assist visitors to our region, promote local businesses and local artists, repair books, research history, act as tour guides and assist residents with information so they can ensure their future care needs are officially documented.“Their efforts have a huge impact on the positive interactions and experiences that residents and visitors have with Council, and Council thanks them sincerely for their valuable service.”To learn more about volunteer in the community through Alexandrina Council, visit the website.

RAA calls for growth without gridlock
RAA calls for growth without gridlock

03 December 2025, 7:59 PM

RAA has released its state election platform, outlining a vision to support South Australia’s population and housing growth through investment in infrastructure and services that improve the state’s liveability. With South Australia’s population set to eclipse two million within the next five years, RAA has put forward a suite of over 30 projects and recommendations to support growth by improving infrastructure and services.Top 10 recommendations include:Housing Growth Transport Infrastructure Package to deliver:​​​​A blueprint to expand rail to the north and south of Adelaide – extending the Gawler and Seaford lines.A third lane on Main South Road between the Southern Expressway and Onkaparinga River.A third lane on Main North Road between Montague Road and Kesters Road.Duplicating Curtis Road.An overpass at the intersection of Port Wakefield Highway and Riverlea Boulevard.Expand on-demand bus services in outer suburbs and regional centres.A third lane on the South Eastern Freeway from Crafers to Verdun.Secure full funding to progress the Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass to get more trucks out of metropolitan Adelaide,Plan and commit funding to duplicate key sections of the Augusta Highway, Sturt Highway and Dukes Highway, and,Address the road maintenance backlog through a $1 billion fund over four years. ​​​Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade says the RAA state election platform is a blueprint for South Australia to achieve growth without gridlock and drive a state that is safe, sustainable and liveable.“South Australia’s population is climbing towards two million people and we’re seeing an explosion of new housing to support that,” he says.“That growth is great for our economy, great for jobs and great for our state – but it has to be supported by investment in infrastructure and services.“If we don’t make that investment simultaneously, we run the risk of ending up with gridlock and compromising our state’s liveability which has always been one of best things about South Australia.“We believe we can have growth without gridlock – that’s the blueprint we’ve set out in our election platform.“We’ve outlined a plan to expand rail services and future-proof our road network to support the high growth areas – particularly north and south of Adelaide, as well as the Adelaide Hills.”Mr Reade says RAA acknowledges the state government is undertaking a record infrastructure program, centred around the completion of the North-South Corridor and level crossing removals. “While we fully support the Torrens to Darlington project and understand it’s absorbing a large portion of the infrastructure funding at the moment – there are many other projects we desperately need to support growth around the state,” he says.“We need to think beyond today and create a pipeline of projects ready to roll, positioning our state not just for tomorrow, but for the decades ahead.”

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