MP launches Community Forum and First Year Report

Posted December 04, 2017

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has launched her Community Forum and First Year Report.

The report outlines the issues raised by hundreds of residents at 16 community forums and three youth forums held across the electorate earlier this year.

The forums were held at Kingscote, Yankalilla, Willunga, Mount Compass, Goolwa, Victor Harbor, Strathalbyn, Mount Barker, Nairne, Stirling, Uraidla, Lobethal, Meadows Clarendon, Kersbrook and Mount Pleasant.

They were attended by more than 700 people and followed on from a survey distributed by Rebekha to every household in Mayo in late 2016 in one of the largest community consultations ever conducted by an elected MP in the electorate.

More than 4000 people filled in that survey, identifying health, the environment and employment as three priority issues as well as adding the condition of local roads, security in retirement, transport and buying Australian as some of their top concerns.

The forums workshopped the key issues to emerge from the survey.

Some of the concerns raised included the rising cost of health services, particularly out of pocket expenses for GPs and specialists; the need for better labelling to identify Australian made products; the need for a bipartisan approach to climate change and energy policies; and more attention on the local road network.

“We had a fantastic turnout for the forums with people really wanting to have an input into the issues that are important to them,” Rebekha said.

“Together we workshopped plenty of ideas which are outlined in this report, along with information about my activities during my first 18 months in office and ways we can work together to make a difference in our communities.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to fill in the survey and come along to the forums.

“Your feedback will continue to guide me in the coming months and years.”