Pristine Coast
The Streaky Bay Council area includes the townships of Streaky Bay (which is the main service and business centre), Wirrulla, Poochera, Haslam, Sceale Bay, Baird Bay, Eba Anchorage, and Perlubie Landing. It covers an area of 6,232 km2 with a population of over 2100. The District has three main business industries – Agriculture, Aquaculture and Tourism.
We are located about 720 kilometres by road to Adelaide on the West Coast of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and I may be biased but I believe we have some of the most spectacular pristine coastline and our seafood is second to none!
Becoming part of the community
Before moving to Streaky Bay 12 years ago I had never really settled down in one spot, working in various mining towns around Australia. My husband has ties to the area and we frequently visited so when we decided to settle down, Streaky Bay was the obvious choice.
As I found myself not working full time, for the first time I was able to become a real part of a community. I started volunteering at the Museum, joined the Sceale Bay Progress committee and became a Justice of the Peace.
A spot on the local Council came up during a by-election and I threw my hat in the ring. Although I was unsuccessful, I ran again two years later at the normal election and was elected. I was re-elected the next term and became Mayor. I have been Mayor for about 18 months.
Ten days after becoming Mayor the West Coast Country Cabinet was held in Streaky Bay, the Premier, Cabinet Ministers and Department Heads all attended. Although it was a great opportunity to meet and speak with them all, it was certainly a baptism of fire!
Not for the faint hearted
Being part of the Council is something I enjoy immensely, but the role is certainly not what I envisioned when I first thought about joining. I would encourage anyone to look into being a Councillor, but it is not for the faint hearted. Nearly every decision will effect someone and you are never going to please everyone; that’s the worst part, the best part is that you can make a real difference for your community.
I cannot speak highly enough about the network of Mayors and Chairpersons on the Eyre Peninsula, who have helped me immensely when needed.
Some of the recent highlights for our Council include:
- The completion of the Community Sports Complex and handover to the Sports Clubs, which is now in full swing.
- After 10 years the Better Development Plan Conversion & Coastal Development Plan Amendment (DPA) was finally signed off by the Government.
- Our Work Health & Safety and policy completion is some of the best in the State (thanks to our great staff).
- Some hot topics for us at the present moment are: net fishing (possible reinstatement of some areas); razor fishing (complaints of the depleting numbers); and rubble royalties (another cost to Council).
Weekend escape
As you have probably guessed by my photo I am an avid fisherman. I was involved in the Marine Park process and while the outcomes for our area were good, I do think some of the other Parks are too harsh and need to be reassessed.
My husband and I are empty nesters with six children between us, only one grandchild so far. But I am expecting an avalanche in the not too distant future. Last week we bought a 12-foot caravan to occasionally escape on the weekends (not the kids, the pressures of day to day life).
