With the 2026 election approaching, it’s time to revisit that record — and ask whether the same political tactics are being deployed again.

Kavel is not just any electorate.

It is one of South Australia’s fastest-growing regions, spanning the Adelaide Hills from Mount Barker and Nairne through to Woodside and Lobethal.

Growth changes politics.

More residents.
More infrastructure demand.
More pressure on State funding.

Growth changes demographics. New estates bring younger families, first-home buyers, commuters and new arrivals which over time, can reshape the voting base. Once a growth seat shifts, it can be very difficult to shift back.

Now consider the infrastructure reality.

The Mount Barker area particularly, carries significant infrastructure baggage — a wastewater funding gap, and increasing traffic congestion due to lack of State planning and incomplete road infrastructure. These are structural issues requiring State funding and State action.

Many of these pressures stem from a significant land rezoning decision made in 2010 by a former Labor government.

Growth was driven at the State level through a 1,310-hectare land release while the planning and infrastructure required to support was overlooked.

Back then, Labor pledged $260 million for infrastructure however none was delivered. Adjusted for inflation, that figure would be significantly higher today.

And that is why political alignment becomes critical.

Kavel has always been a stable blue ribbon seat, but then something changed.

The Member: Dan Cregan MP

Four years ago, Kavel shifted — though you could be forgiven for not fully recognising it at the time, because the label never changed.

Dan Cregan was elected as a Liberal member in 2018. In 2020, he resigned from the party, moved to the crossbench as an independent, and was shortly thereafter appointed Speaker of the House.

Re-elected in 2022 as an independent, he later joined the Labor Government’s Cabinet in 2024 as Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services.

That’s a significant shift. One with direct consequences.

When a previously Liberal, then independent member moves from the crossbench into the Speaker’s chair and then into the Labor Cabinet, alignment with government is no longer theoretical — it’s embedded.

At that point, the “independent” label under which Dan Cregan was elected became effectively meaningless and any leverage vanished.

The practical effect was that one of the state’s rapidly expanding electorates no longer had an opposition-style member applying sustained pressure to the sitting government, despite the significant infrastructure needs of the region.

In practice, a member closely aligned with the sitting Government cannot credibly apply sustained pressure to it.

The Mayor: David Leach

Likewise, in 2022, David Leach was elected Mayor of the Mount Barker District Council as a candidate presenting as independent.

During the Mayor’s term, no significant State-funded infrastructure improvements have been secured, and visible advocacy at the State level has been limited.

In fact, advocacy from the Council CEO and staff since the Mayor went on leave has been noticeably more visible and more effective than during the prior three years.

Now, three years into the term, the Mayor has taken leave and is running as the Labor candidate for Kavel. This shift directly invites reflection and scrutiny of alignment and advocacy over the previous three years.

Alignment without delivery has consequences.

With this level of representation in the region, should it really surprise anyone that Mount Barker’s infrastructure needs remain largely unresolved?

SA Labor’s Playbook

Mount Barker’s infrastructure backlog was never going to be solved in a single term.

What should have been visible early in the term was a coherent, publicly articulated plan. One backed with effective advocacy and tangible outcomes.

That clarity has not materialised.

The lack of tangible outcomes is precisely why Kavel matters politically, and why Labor has every incentive to secure it.

Labor would hardly want to lose their comfortable arrangement and have their feet held to the fire by a true independent or an opposing party.

If Labor forms government and holds Kavel, they can:

• Align the local MP with the party governing the state

• Control funding announcements and manage the timing and narrative of delivery

• Align any meaningful commitments with election cycles to reinforce the cycle

• Stage or drip-feed solutions to maintain political advantage

If Labor holds government but does not hold Kavel, the dynamic changes.

• Every delay becomes ammunition.

• Every funding gap becomes leverage.

• Every infrastructure failure becomes a live accountability issue in a fast-growing electorate.

This is the strategic reality.

A fast-growing seat with unresolved infrastructure is politically powerful.

In independent or opposition hands, it applies pressure.
In government-aligned hands, it becomes manageable — protecting the status quo

Clearly, strong representation independent of the State Government is best for the region and for those directly affected by the unresolved infrastructure issues.

The Danger Zone

Now it’s time to ask the obvious questions.

Q: Is the Labor party/candidate discussing the hard issues around wastewater and road infrastructure?
A: No.

Q: Is the Labor party/candidate putting firm, structural funding commitments on the table?
A: No.

This tells the real story.

Instead, Labor is offering distractions and list padding. A 24x7 pharmacy in the region may be nice to have, but it avoids addressing the serious infrastructure issues and funding gap that is really needed.

This also raises an interesting side question. Why is the State Government intervening in what is fundamentally a private sector supply and demand issue, using taxpayer funds to subsidise a 24x7 pharmacy?

Public trust was severely strained when SA Labor overrode both community and council concerns when it proceeded with the 2010 land release without appropriate planning and infrastructure. Now the focus appears to be shifting away from accountability for the long-term consequences of that decision.

At the end of the day, it’s about whether Kavel allows itself to be bought off with platitudes, or becomes a region that demands real commitments and real solutions.

This standard applies to every candidate seeking to represent Kavel. Alignment and leverage matter — regardless of party label.

Be mindful, and be purposeful with your vote.
The outcome of this election will shape the region for decades to come.

A Note on Perspective

If you’ve stumbled across this post on social media or had it shared with you, you may wonder who I am.

I’m an Adelaide Hills dweller, and until recently, have been mostly a political observer. But that changed in December 2025 when I was elected as a Councillor on Mount Barker District Council to represent the township of Hahndorf and broader South Ward.

While I have not specifically mentioned the infrastructure needs of South Ward in this post, they are very much front of mind. State funding gaps have created a council that is significantly under-resourced in addressing broader state-driven shortfalls. Resolving those gaps would naturally free up resources that would benefit South Ward. Similarly to Mount Barker itself, South Ward infrastructure issues also require significant State investment.

Signal Boost

Elections are decided by those who engage, not those who scroll past.
If this matters to you, make it visible.

Disclaimer:
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly and are offered in the spirit of open discussion and democratic accountability. They are independent of any official role or organisation.

Adelaide Hills Council - Ranges Ward

Councillors required: 1

Sample Ballot Paper (for illustration only)

 [   ]  Woolcock, Lisa Claire
 [   ]  McDonnell, Georgia
 [   ]  Tranter, Jenn
 [ 1 ]  Cuthbertson, Mark
 [ 2 ]  Sadler, James Grant
 [   ]  De’Ath, James

Why?

• This is a single-seat election so we apply votes to conservative candidates only.

• This approach ensures your vote supports conservative representation, without accidentally boosting candidates who don’t share those values.

• If your #1 candidate is excluded during counting, your #2 vote continues to carry weight.

• The #2 vote does not affect your primary vote while #1 remains in the count.

Adelaide Hills Council - Valleys Ward

Councillors required: 2

Sample Ballot Paper (for illustration only)

 [ 3 ]  ROBERTS, Scott 
 [ 1 ]  GLADIGAU, Richard
 [ 4 ]  PENNO, Mell
 [   ]  TRESCOWTHICK, Alex
 [   ]  STEINBECK, Matthew
 [ 2 ]  BRAY, Martin

Why?

• This approach ensures your vote supports conservative representation, without accidentally boosting candidates who don’t share those values.

• Numbering 1–4 keeps conservative candidates together. Your vote is never wasted as candidates are eliminated it continues to help elect other conservative candidates.

• Votes #3 and #4 and be interchanged without impact.

Mount Barker District Council – South Ward

Councillors required: 1

In South Ward, I recommend giving your #1 vote to Darren Kelly.
Head here for a reminder of Why I’m running for Councillor.

Sample Ballot Paper (for illustration only)

 [   ]  ATKINSON, Diane
 [   ]  FORDHAM, Anne Elizabeth
 [ 1 ]  KELLY, Darren

Why?

• No surprises here — I’m recommending myself in South Ward.

• This is a single-seat election so we apply votes to conservative candidates only.

• This approach ensures your vote supports conservative representation, without accidentally boosting candidates who don’t share those values.

Disclaimer: This is a personal guide only. Ballot papers must be marked according to ECSA instructions.

Authorised by Darren Kelly, Hahndorf SA 5245.
(As required under Section 27(1a) of the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999)

Commencing countdown, engines on.

Processing the latest telemetry from the Courier's 13th August release.

Let's sort the signal from the noise.

For maximum cynical effect, the online version comes highly recommended.
If you’re reading this on email, click the header image to open.

First up:

Campaign for Councillor

For those that may have missed it.

Why I'm Running for Councillor

The campaign is off to a strong start, with print materials now in design and set for distribution over the next two weeks.

I’m looking for volunteers to help with letterbox drops in Hahndorf, Echunga, Meadows, and South Ward Mt Barker township areas. If you’re able to lend a hand, please get in touch — your support will make a real difference. 🙏

Buzz Off, Council

Page 1, 4: Bee Backlash

How gracious of council to ‘allow’ residents a say on whether they can keep chooks, bees, or livestock on their own land. In a region built on hobby farms, smallholdings, and self-reliance, this isn’t “consultation” — it’s government overreach with a bow on top.

Where exactly does council get off telling ratepayers how they can use their own property? The Hills lifestyle has always been about space, self-sufficiency, and the freedom to manage your patch as you see fit. When 89% of locals say the idea stinks, the only “further consultation” needed is a shovel — to bury this by-law for good.

If this isn’t what residents have asked for, then who exactly is pushing it?
The push certainly isn’t coming from the 89% who opposed it. That leaves a very small minority — or perhaps a mindset in council that thinks the Hills lifestyle needs ‘managing’.

Councillors should spend less time policing henhouses and beehives, and more time fixing roads, parking, and the issues people actually care about.

Our Land, Our Stock, Our Call

From Control to Common Sense

P5: Multi-dwelling blocks proposed

The State Government’s Future Living Code says you might be “allowed” to build an extra dwelling on your own property — provided the councils think it’s viable, appropriate, and in keeping with “the character” they’ve decided you all love.

What the council fails to mention are the genuine factors that need to be weighed here: the Hills’ role as a critical watershed area, the importance of preserving amenity, and the traffic and infrastructure pressures that come with increased density. These are real considerations — not just excuses to clamp down.

Councils need to switch from “control” mode — where every opportunity is taken to control what ratepayers can do with their land — back to genuine planning, something that seems to have been lost long ago.

How did our councils become so unbalanced?

Signals from the Letters Page

Page 6: Your View

From Beehives to Backyards to Browsers — The Net Keeps Tightening

👉 I’ve only reached page 6 and this week’s Courier has already served up two very different stories — but scratch the surface and you’ll find the same thread running through them: more rules, more hoops, and more control over how we live.

• “Bee Backlash” (Pages 1, 4).

• Multi-dwelling “test case” (Page 5).

Now we learn from my “Papers Please” submission that under-16s will be banned from social media without Digital ID from December. Sold as “protecting kids,” it’s another step toward normalising ID checks for online access — the infrastructure for mass surveillance by another name. This is about control, not safety.

Whether it’s your bees, your backyard, or your browser, the pattern is clear: more of your choices are being decided elsewhere. And unless more people push back, the only thing guaranteed to be “protected” is the power of those making the rules.

So I’m off topic — back to the other letters.

Pointless rules: A letter challenging the E&RD court’s ability to overrule the Council Assessment Panel. It’s worrying that those with money and power can bend the system to get what they want.

Future predictions: A slightly rambling submission from G Inkster calling out decades of failed climate alarmist claims.

Good news: A letter full of “renewables” claims that can be dismantled with ease. Sadly, the only good news here is that Donella isn’t running our energy policy — otherwise Chris Bowen would have some real competition.

When Council Can’t Even Council

Page 10: Councillors walk out on meeting

Mt Barker Council’s August 4 meeting collapsed when the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and two councillors walked out before a confidential item could be debated. Two more councillors followed soon after, leaving no quorum and forcing the meeting to be postponed — twice.

From the outside, it’s not hard to see council as opaque and largely free from accountability to the ratepayers. Factions and cultural dysfunction appear to be alive and well — and while residents are tied up in debates over bees, backyards, and housing, the chamber itself can’t seem to keep its own house in order.

Politics, Power, and the Public Purse - Revisited

Last week P13: Local couple sues Premier for $2.3m
This week P10: Digances not guilty

My Spidey senses weren’t wrong — the former Labor MP was not found guilty.

All charges dropped. Suppression orders in place. Everyone walks. Sure, nothing to see here. The Premier seems to be wearing a suit made from pure Teflon.

Final Cut - Farewell to a Local Icon

P8: Butcher shuts after 60 years

It’s with great sadness that Hahndorf farewells the generational, iconic business that was Max Noske & Sons Butcher. A complete tragedy in every sense.

R.I.P. Tim — you’re in a better place. Your “paddock to plate” legacy will live on in the Hills, at a time when it’s more important than ever before.

Hot Mess

P3: Hot coals sparks refuse truck fire

Pro tip: “Completely extinguished” doesn’t mean “still glowing but probably fine.” The blaze forced a truck to dump its load in the middle of Stirling — a pile of smouldering rubbish in complete disarray.

Strangely reminiscent of the goings-on inside the council chambers lately…

Comic Relief

Control Tower

That’s enough from me.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s commentary.

Disclaimer:
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.

The high turnover of councillors lately says something about the state of our councils — and the culture within.

Candidates I Support

I’m unable to provide a run-down on every candidate, however I’ve highlighted and endorsed those who — from what I understand — hold similar values to my own.

That includes things like personal responsibility, transparency, fiscal discipline, and a preference for practical outcomes over ideology.

If you also care about these things, you might want to take a closer look at:

• Mark Cuthbertson in the AHC Ranges Ward

• Martin Bray and Richard Gladigau in the AHC Valleys Ward

• And yes, me — in MBDC South Ward (though I’ll admit I’m slightly biased)
  Head over here to read why I’m running.

All Candidates

Adelaide Hills Council - Ranges Ward Councillor Candidates

• WOOLCOCK, Lisa Clare

• McDONNELL, Georgia

• TRANTER, Jenn

• CUTHBERTSON, Mark ✅

• SADLER, James Grant

• De’ATH, James

Adelaide Hills Council - Valleys Ward Councillors Candidates (2)

• ROBERTS, Scott

• GLADIGAU, Richard ✅

• PENNO, Mell

• TRESCOWTHICK, Alex

• STEINBECK, Matthew

• BRAY, Martin ✅

Mount Barker District Council – South Ward Councillor

• ATKINSON, Diane

• FORDHAM, Anne Elizabeth

• KELLY, Darren ✅

Council Ward Maps

• Adelaide Hills Council

• Mount Barker District Council

FAQ

1. If your Hills Council ward isn’t listed above, it means there are no councillor vacancies in your area at this time.

Authorised by Darren Kelly, Hahndorf SA 5245.
(As required under Section 27(1a) of the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999)

Sample Ballot Papers

Ballot layout matters — here’s how the names will appear when your papers arrive.

You can read my recent Ground Control post for an overview of who is running for Councillor vacancies across the Adelaide Hills in the upcoming supplementary election.

For me, this isn’t a career move or a political stepping stone. The honest truth is, I never pictured myself doing this. But like many, I think there’s room for improvement — especially on the things that really matter to the community.

Rates are up, roads and footpaths need attention, and the region faces serious traffic and parking issues — especially Hahndorf.

Rather than stay on the sidelines, I decided it was time to step up and try to make a difference.

I’m a small business operator of 25 years, currently based on Hahndorf’s main street. If elected, I’ll bring the same approach I use in business and life — questioning assumptions, thinking practically and ethically, applying good management, offering straight answers, and serving the community with a strong voice for our townships.

Hahndorf has been my home for over 20 years. I’ve raised a family here, run a business, and been an active contributor through the Hahndorf Community Association and other local groups.

I’ve spoken up when things haven’t made sense — and I’ll continue to do so in council.

If elected, I will:

• Challenge unnecessary spending to keep rates down.

• Focus on essentials: roads, rubbish, and core services.

• Focus on traffic and parking solutions in Hahndorf and across Mount Barker.

• Push for infrastructure improvements across the entire ward and district.

• Apply practical, solutions-focused thinking to issues facing the community.

• Listen, engage, and strongly advocate for what matters most to residents and ratepayers.

• Restore transparency and common sense in decision-making.

• Push for wider and genuine consultation on issues that impact the community.

• Preserve the unique & valuable character of our townships
  — particularly historic Hahndorf.

It’s time to return to fundamentals — the traditional council activities we value the most. That’s what I stand for — and that’s the kind of Councillor I intend to be for you and our community.

If you want genuine local representation, I’d appreciate your support.

If you live in South Ward — or know someone who does — please ask that they

Phone: 0466 477 351 | Email: darren.kelly@angard.au

Campaign Materials

The following materials are available for download as PDFs below.

• DL Flyer - as pictured above

• A5 Flyer - Hahndorf

• A5 Flyer - Rural Townships

• A3, A4 Poster - as pictured above

FAQ

Q: Some have asked: Why stand for Mount Barker Council instead of Adelaide Hills Council?

A: The answer is twofold:

1. My home sits within both council areas, so I could technically stand for either. But given my long association with Hahndorf — for both home and business — Mount Barker Council was the obvious choice. After 22 years here, I want to see the township’s heritage preserved and long standing issues resolved, and the best way to do that is to have a seat at the table. South Ward is made up of townships that are distinctly different from the growing metropolis of Mount Barker itself. The ward needs strong representation to ensure it’s not overlooked.

2. There are other strong candidates standing for the vacancies in the Adelaide Hills Council wards, and I didn’t want to get in their way. For those in the Adelaide Hills Council area, you can see my specific candidate endorsements in this post.

Authorisation & Disclaimer:
Authorised by D Kelly, PO Box 530 Hahndorf SA 5245.
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.

Commencing countdown, engines on.

Processing the latest telemetry from the Courier's 6th August release.

Let's sort the signal from the noise.

For maximum cynical effect, the online version comes highly recommended.
Click the header image to open.

First up:

Just Between Us Courier Readers...

Well, here we go — you're hearing it here first.

After a lot of thought, I've decided to throw my hat in the ring and run for Councillor in the Mount Barker District Council.

This isn’t a grand career move. Truth is, I never pictured myself doing this. But like many of you, I'm tired of watching council lose focus — rates up, roads crumbling, and the basics getting sidelined for the latest shiny distraction.

So rather than just keep pointing out the issues from the sidelines, I figured it was time to step in and attempt to make a difference.

If elected, I’ll bring the same approach I take to everything else — practical thinking, straight answers, and a strong voice for the townships. Especially Hahndorf, which has been my home for over 20 years. I've raised a family here, run a local business, and spoken up more than a few times when things haven't made sense.

I’ll be standing on a platform of:

• Getting back to basics: roads, rubbish, real services

• Pushing back on waste and nonsense to keep our rates down

• Continuing the work to address traffic and parking issues in Hahndorf

• Advocating for infrastructure improvements (particularly roads) in Mount Barker

• Speaking plainly, voting wisely, and listening properly

No spin, no party lines, no interest in climbing the political ladder.

Appreciate your support — and no doubt your scrutiny too. Let’s see what comes of it.

• Restore transparency and common sense in decision-making

• Preserve the unique character of our communities

It’s time we returned to fundamentals. That’s what I stand for, and that’s the kind of Councillor I intend to be.

If you happen to live in South Ward Mount Barker or know someone who does, tell them to Vote 1 Darren Kelly.

Now, onto the paper.

Mt Barker's Missing Roadmap

P1, 9: Mt Barker roads gridlocked

Another report. Another headline. Another slap of bureaucratic jargon admitting what every local already knows — the roads around Mt Barker are a mess.

To her credit, Cr Rebecca Hewitt is one of the few on council actually fighting to get this issue addressed — and this latest report wouldn’t exist without her motion. She's been a strong and sensible voice, and I’m grateful for the support she’s shown as I put my hand up to run.

But still — a three-stage network modelling project? Really? You don’t need to model when the issues slap you in the face every time you try to cross town during peak hour.

You can’t fix a traffic jam with a flowchart.

The problems are obvious: inadequate turning lanes and arterial roads pushed well past their limits. Meanwhile, ratepayers are expected to sit tight while the consultants get paid to confirm what we already know.

Mt Barker is growing fast, and that means practical, immediate infrastructure upgrades need to be front and centre. Not buried in stages of analysis.

Digging for Solutions

P1 & P8: Cultivating Food Security

Growing your own food. Sharing with neighbours. Reducing waste. Building community. These are the kinds of grassroots initiatives that actually make sense — simple, tangible, and good for the soul.

So why does it always have to come wrapped in UN branding?

According to the article, backyard veggie patches now serve the United Nations 2030 sustainability goals. Who knew growing a tomato was a geopolitical act?

That’s not a swipe at the local effort — in fact, it’s refreshing to see something practical getting attention. The Grow Free movement is doing what government programs rarely do: empowering people to solve real problems, one garden at a time.

But it’s curious how the UN manages to insert itself into even the most personal parts of daily life — food, transport, energy, education. Always guiding. Always “partnering.” Always present.

Here’s a radical thought: maybe local solutions don’t need global supervision. Maybe what really works is letting communities do what they’ve always done — grow, share, and look after their own.

Smoke and Mirrors — or the First Step Toward Regulation?

P3: Smoke Tainted Air

Mt Barker’s winter air quality is under the microscope, with wood smoke flagged as a growing concern. Fair enough — burning wet or unseasoned wood does create excess smoke and health risks. But let’s not pretend this is just about neighbourly awareness.

We’ve seen this playbook before — highlight a problem, stir the stats, then nudge toward restrictions. It starts with awareness campaigns and ends with regulation.
Gas cooktops, anyone?

With firewood prices through the roof, many households are just doing what they can to stay warm. The real solution isn’t more monitoring or guilt campaigns — it’s education on proper firewood use, and tackling cost pressures that lead people to burn whatever they can get.

If there’s a genuine desire to reduce smoke, let’s focus on practical support — not policy overreach. And in the meantime, let’s keep the home fires burning — responsibly.

Behaviour Strategy? More Like Behavioural Surrender

P4: School behavior strategy concerns

It seems the State Government’s one-size-fits-all behaviour model is failing — and no one wants to admit it. The Berry Street approach might look good in theory, but when schools are “imploding” and six-year-olds are attacking teachers, we have a problem that needs more than trauma-informed theory.

What we’re seeing is the hollowing out of authority in the classroom. Teachers and principals no longer have the tools — or permission — to deal with serious behavioural issues. Decision-making has been hijacked by bureaucrats pushing ideologically approved solutions instead of practical ones.

This isn’t just poor policy — it’s a systemic failure to protect students and staff. When education becomes more about appeasing policy writers than equipping teachers, everyone suffers.

Housing Crisis? Try Planning Crisis.

P5: Council to explore housing solutions

Another strategy. Another consultant. Another report.

Mt Barker Council is now “exploring housing solutions” after overseeing the fastest growing suburb in the state — without the infrastructure or planning to match. 715 new lots in 12 months, but somehow we’re only now acknowledging the lack of affordable housing, crisis accommodation, and basic services.

To be fair, the State Government did designate Mt Barker as a growth area — they just forgot to fund the growth and plan the infrastructure. So if Council wants to use this strategy to finally drag some money out of Adelaide, that’s not the worst idea going.

But let’s not pretend this is a fix. Until we get planning that actually anticipates demand — not reacts to it five years too late — we’ll keep patching holes with glossy PDFs and consultant buzzwords.

Signals from the Letters Page

Page 6: Your View

👉 If the solution to every problem is lentils and the UN, the letters page didn’t disappoint.

Proud of Our Scientists: Myrana Wahlqvist returns this week with a passionate defence of “the science” — dismissing dissent as anti-reality, anti-science, or worse, conspiracy.

She writes that there is “no UN-led conspiracy for worldwide domination” and “no worldwide cult of climate change” — which, oddly, weren’t claims anyone had made. But it’s a neat trick: exaggerate opposing views, and declare them unworthy of debate.

She also mocks those that believe “global agendas are quietly shaping local policy”.

Meanwhile, Australia recently signed the WHO Pandemic Treaty and failed to reject the UN & WHO-led International Health Regulation (IHR) amendments. Oh, and we're still going full tilt for the UN-led Net Zero agenda
— but sure, nothing to see here.

Let’s be clear — scientists deserve respect. But that doesn’t mean institutions are beyond scrutiny, or that policies based on “the science” are automatically just.
It seems clear, Myrana trusts the system absolutely. The rest of us have seen too much mission drift, politicisation, and outright manipulation to do the same.

Lettuce Pray: The letters from Padma Chaplin and Alice Shore this week read like a sermon from the Church of Climate Veganism. Calls to shut down meatworks and transform them to pump out plant-based meat, all in the name of “kindness” and “the greater good.” It’s the usual rhetoric — less beef, more beans, and a moral pat on the back for complying. My reply: pass the steak.

Peter Spalding offers the rare voice of reason — pointing out the absurdity of governments spending hundreds of millions on climate plans while ignoring basic stormwater upgrades. He's right. If we can’t even fix drains after a known flood risk, how can we pretend to control the climate?

More Targets, Less Logic

P12: Mt Barker Council sets new climate targets

The Mt Barker Council has officially signed up to its own miniature version of Net Zero — pledging to slash CO₂ emissions from 234,000 to 164,000 tonnes by 2035, and halve its own output by 2050. How? With a 28-page strategy, a $60,000 report, and enough vague commitments that are ultimately meaningless.

All this while the rest of the world is heading in the other direction and the momentum against Net Zero is finally gaining traction within Australia.

Let’s be clear — this isn’t about cleaner streets or smarter planning. It’s about chasing abstract emission targets, riddled with assumptions and enforced through bureaucratic creep. Because nothing says “sustainability” like pushing ratepayers to foot the bill for climate assessments, recycled water audits, and tree canopy quotas.

And what exactly is an “acceptable level” of climate risk to council operations? That’s never defined. But rest assured, another review is coming in five years — and annual progress updates will be provided (whether you asked or not).

Meanwhile, the roads are crumbling, parking is impossible, and essential infrastructure remains underfunded. But sure — let’s cut emissions from council mowers.

This isn’t governance. It’s virtue signalling with a grant application attached.

In all honesty, it’s outcomes like this that have inspired me to stand for Council.

Politics, Power, and the Public Purse

P13: Local couple sues Premier for $2.3m

I know nothing of this story — but my Spidey senses sure are tingling.

A former Labor MP sues our golden boy Premier Peter Malinauskas for $2.3 million, alleging he sabotaged her career to bury claims of bullying and harassment. Meanwhile, she was found guilty of blackmailing him — but never sentenced. Charges dropped. Suppression orders in place. Everyone walks.

I’m sure there’s more…

Comic Relief

Control Tower

Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s commentary.

Ignorant nuisance — over and out.

Disclaimer:
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.

Commencing countdown, engines on.

Processing the latest telemetry from the Courier's 30 July release.

Let's sort the signal from the noise.

For maximum cynical effect, the online version comes highly recommended. Click the header image to access.

First up:

Thomas down but not out

P1,11: Drought blamed for abattoir staff stand down

“The drought has sharply decreased sheep numbers, with recovery not expected before 2027” – Thomas Foods International

Let’s be honest — this story could have so easily gone off the rails into climate alarmism, so credit to The Courier for avoiding that detour. That said, it’s still a brutal blow for hundreds of workers in Lobethal now stood down without pay.

Whether you admire or loathe how Thomas Foods operates, the commercial reality is hard to ignore. If livestock numbers aren’t there, neither is the business case. That’s not to say the company is blameless — after all, this is the same business that took the insurance payout and moved much of its core processing out of Murray Bridge after the fire. Still, we can’t pretend the economics don’t matter.

The bigger question is what happens next. Let’s hope local jobs are reinstated as promised, and that this isn’t a permanent shift toward a leaner, foreign-heavy operation. Rural industries are already struggling to attract and retain workers—another hit like this could be a knockout punch for some families.

No Parking — A predictable mess

P1,5: No Parking — Hospital upgrade causes childcare centre chaos
P2: Opinion

“Would it really have been so difficult to identify one or more suitable parking areas?” – John Tons

Some problems are hard to predict. This wasn’t one of them.

We’ve known for over a year that the Mt Barker hospital site would be under construction and that 250 car parks would be lost. So why was no off-site parking solution arranged in advance? Why are parents now hauling toddlers two blocks down the road while hospital patients circle like vultures for a park?

The Courier’s editorial calls it a ‘shame’ that a plan wasn’t in place beforehand. I’d go further — this was a basic operational requirement, and the failure to meet it has caused serious and ongoing disruption for families, patients, and staff.

The impact is widespread. Childcare staff are now acting as parking inspectors just to keep spots free for their own customers. Elderly patients are being dropped off alone while drivers go on parking hunts. Parents with young children are forced to walk long distances just to make drop-offs. I’ve personally dealt with this — and it’s worse than frustrating.

To their credit, Built (the contractor) tried to explore options like using Paterson Reserve. But as usual, council kicked the can down the road, and SA Health offered little in the way of meaningful logistics. A shuttle bus? Overflow parking? Rerouting contractors off-site? All of it should’ve been in place before a single fence went up.

Yes, the new $320 million hospital is a major investment, and yes, inconvenience was inevitable. But there’s a difference between unavoidable disruption and completely avoidable incompetence. We didn’t need hindsight to see this coming — just a little leadership.

The Courier rightly says everyone needs access to health services. That includes the ability to actually get there.

Your View

Page 6, 7: Letters to the Editor — A rare dose of honesty and dissent

👉 This week particularly the letters pages serves as a kind of pulse check on the community. This week’s contributions show a surprisingly frank and balanced spread of thought—some sharp, some shaky, but at least we’re seeing people engage.

• The parking saga at Mt Barker Hospital gets another clip from Ian Tonkin, and rightly so. If you’re forcing hospital staff and patients to pay for parking in the middle of a car park shortage, you’ve lost the plot. The absurdity writes itself.

• On the censorship and “facts” debate, there’s real heat — and wherever you may land on this issue it’s good to see discussion play out in public discourse. Letters from Gallash, Inkster and myself push back against the idea that truth is whatever the loudest credentialed expert says it is. That debate matters. We’re not meant to rubber-stamp the so called established views — we’re meant to test them. The key take away — If you’re scared of dissent, maybe your argument’s not as strong as you think.

• Jennifer Elsom’s piece on the tree saga in Stirling is also worth noting. A 100-year-old tree crashes down after being flagged as unsafe, and yet the Council had twice refused removal. This is bureaucracy at its worst — playing God with people’s safety in the name of green virtue.

• Meanwhile, the strip-mining of Hahndorf’s character continues. Hans Menz and Simone Downie both take aim at uninspired playground plans and reckless tree clearing. If council wants to promote the town as a unique destination, it should stop making it feel like every other generic suburb.

These pages show that the community is paying attention. The frustration is growing — not just about parking or playgrounds — but about the broader sense that decisions are being made by people who are insulated from consequence and immune to logic.

Let’s hope the editors keep publishing these letters. We need more light, less fog.

P12: Aquatic centre finished ahead of schedule

“It will deliver benefits for residents of all ages and abilities” – Mayor David Leach

On paper, this looks like a win — a $51 million aquatic centre, delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. Credit where it's due: that’s no small feat in today’s climate.

But here's the rub. While it’s nice to see a high-profile project come together so smoothly, it’s hard to ignore the glaring contrast elsewhere. Hahndorf is still choking on traffic. Roads across the district are in disrepair. Hospital parking is a rolling debacle. And yet, somehow, this got prioritised — complete with polished media releases and a quote from the Mayor beaming about “investment in our future.”

Forgive the cynicism, but this has all the hallmarks of a political showpiece that photographs well and cements names on plaques. No doubt the facility will be welcomed by many, especially families and those with mobility issues. But was this truly the most pressing need in a region still lacking the basics?

Let’s hope it delivers real, ongoing value — not just another entry in the Mayor’s highlight reel.

P13: 338 new house lots opening

“A natural extension” — Developer

Another week, another land release — this time 338 new lots at Clover Park, described as a “natural extension” of Mt Barker’s relentless urban sprawl.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about leafy neighbourhood charm or balanced regional growth. It’s a numbers game — more rooftops, more ratepayers, more developer profits. And once again, it’s outpacing infrastructure at every turn.

Where’s the matching plan for roads, schools, emergency services and dare I say it, an appropriately sized hospital? Where’s the honest conversation about water supply, stormwater runoff, or the impact on local wildlife corridors? A pocket park and a landscaped basin don’t magically absorb 338 new households.

Developers talk of “community amenity” and “multi-year investment,” but residents know what this really means — more congestion on the roads, more pressure on already-stretched services, and less of the rural character that made the Hills desirable in the first place.

Mt Barker’s population is booming, yes. But growth without foresight isn’t progress. It’s policy failure.

Comic Relief

Control Tower

That’s enough signal interference for one week. Powering down before I mistake policy for satire. Oh wait — too late.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s commentary.

Disclaimer:
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.

Commencing countdown, engines on.

Wednesday sure rolls around quickly each week. Processing the latest telemetry from the Courier's 23 July release. Let's sort the signal from the noise.

For maximum cynical effect, the online version comes highly recommended.

First up:

Tour Down Under Returns

P1,13: Cyclists Set to Return

The Tour Down Under rides again. I’m genuinely curious, what do people think about our Councils spending ratepayer money on hosting events such as the TDU while Council rates are increasing at rates of 2-3 times CPI in some cases? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments on Ground Control.

Council Clarity

P3: City Centre Confusion

I didn’t see the Facebook posts questioning the design, but I can certainly detect where the money’s going — straight into consultants. At $100 million and counting, the real beneficiaries appear to be the planners, consultants, and developers — not the ratepayers.

Originally described as a civic building, the project now supposedly isn’t even primarily for council use. Instead, it’s shape-shifted into a co-working hub, university annex, youth space, events venue, and maybe even a tech incubator. It’s turning into an everything-to-everyone project — which usually means it will serve no one particularly well.

It looks like a strategy of promising unachievable utopia to try and secure broad-based support. Glossy vision, unclear purpose — and once again, the community’s voice being painted over by spin.

Elephant in the consultation room

P4: Public invited to comment on hospital design

So the community is invited to comment — but it seems the scope is limited to layout and internal planning, not the capacity or scale of service. It’s hard to see how that addresses the real issue. At this point, we’re being asked to help pick the curtains while the foundation’s already been poured.

Your View

Page 6

Facts matter: 👉 Some rather pointed critique from David Baker. He may well have read my letter Fade to Silence discussing various forms of censorship — but the essence seems to have been lost on him. His piece isn’t about facts — it’s about control and shutting down discussion. Rather than engage with the argument, he brands it “misinformation.”

In my letters I've questioned the wisdom of taxing unrealised gains, highlighted the social cost of censorship, pointed to the real environmental challenges beyond carbon emissions, and exposed the global agendas quietly shaping local policy. These are not conspiracies — they're real-world concerns, playing out in legislation, tax policy, and the institutions we rely on.

David’s letter is classic deflection. In contrast I’m attempting to promote deeper thought and real debate.

Thumbs up for nuclear: 👉 Finally, some energy sanity. Harold Gallaher is right — nuclear was once “common sense” before politics and green dogma buried it. If only more Australians understood how deeply ideology has distorted our energy choices. Scott Adams nails it here...

Planned Decline: 👉 One of my letters. A clear, historical takedown of the Lima Declaration and the steady dismantling of our industrial strength. Uncomfortable truths that need to be shared.

Read the full version here: Ground Control - Planned Decline.

PR Fluff’n’Stuff

P10: New targets for council boss

Gee, I sure hope The Courier is getting staff benefits. As the unofficial PR arm of the council machine, it’s the least they deserve.

We’re told the Adelaide Hills Council CEO met last year’s targets — but the review is confidential. Clearly the KPIs didn’t include fiscal responsibility and keeping rate rises down to CPI. There's certainly no meaningful transparency for the ratepayers footing the bill. “Quarterly updates” and “financial literacy programs” might tick boxes, but they don’t tell us whether leadership is delivering real outcomes.

Apparently stakeholder engagement is up — this seems to be some sort of code based on the lacking communication and strained relationships in the chamber.

Until we see KPIs tied to real-world accountability — like service delivery, ratepayer satisfaction, or staying within budget — this is nothing more than managing the optics of a rather dysfunction situation.

Consequences

P12: Leniency granted after good behavior breach

👉 yes, we’re all starting to come to terms with what happens in the absence of consequences.

Blunt Force Bureaucracy

P12: Law proves pen mightier than sword

The SA government has followed communist Victoria’s lead and decided that machetes and medieval swords now require permits. Anyone caught with one — even a decorative blade — faces two years jail or a $20,000 fine. Yes, really.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the streets were being overrun by knights in chainmail. SA’s new laws now treat medieval swords like contraband, while the real threats — the criminals and repeat offenders misusing weapons — get little more than press releases and wrist slaps.

Please someone — make it make sense.

As Bare as Mrs Hubbard’s Cupboard

P14: Tourist town left without a supermarket

A sad story indeed. After limping along for months with empty shelves, the closure has simply swapped one misery for another. There’s only so many times you can walk in hoping to support a local business, only to find nothing to buy. Let’s hope the next operator can do better — for themselves, and for Hahndorf.

Control Tower

That’s about all the static and spin I can handle for one week. I’ll shut it down now before my circuits fry.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s commentary.

Stay tuned for some exciting news in the coming weeks.

Disclaimer:
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.

Ground Control to... well, you know who you are.

We're back on comms, and processing the latest telemetry from the Courier's 16 July release. Let's sort the signal from the noise.

First up:

Roads? — Apparently we don’t need them

P1: Council left doing the heavy lifting

Mt Barker councillor calls for urgent arterial road upgrades... and rightly so. If one was to take guidance from the State government, Adelaide’s fastest growing urban region doesn’t need major arterial roads — or decent public transport for that matter.

• Cr Rebecca Hewett deserves credit for calling out the mismatch between growth and infrastructure, but this story also reveals just how much government inertia the council is up against.

• The State's $40m roundabout band-aid doesn't begin to address the bottleneck at Adelaide Road. And if the best Transport can offer is 'indirect' benefits, then it's no wonder congestion keeps worsening.

• Mayor Leach’s dismissiveness about the motion is telling. Residents are not interested in inter-council turf wars — they want action. Residents don’t need more reports to identify the issues. What’s needed is funding, fast-tracked planning approvals, and State-Federal pressure to deliver.

P2: Opinion - Growing Problems

The Courier editorial finally hits a rare note of realism. It stops short of naming political names, but the message is clear — Mount Barker’s infrastructure is running years behind its population, and neither tier of government can afford to fumble the next phase.

What’s missing is accountability. Who failed to act when the warning signs were obvious? Who approved subdivision after subdivision without securing funding for arterial upgrades?

👉 We don’t need more reports — we need political will to act on it. Without that, this will become just another well-phrased article collecting dust while the gridlock worsens.

Adelaide Hills Council By-law Changes

P1, 2: Cock-a-Doodle Don’t

Here we go again. Another by-law and another reach into the lives of ordinary residents. The more we normalize government approvals for simple lifestyle choices, the more we invite intrusion into the rest of our lives.

You can chalk this up as another government a Cock-up.

Your View

Page 6

This week’s letter spread is a reminder that not all critical thought has gone underground. The community isn't asleep. It’s just been shouted down.

Climate madness: → A nice mix of irreverence with historical data 🙏

No opposition: → Sadly, these sentiments are spot on. Mr Tarzia has a massive challenge ahead if the Libs want a shot at the next election. Right now, there’s no evidence of meaningful opposition at all.

Fade to silence: A letter from yours truly that raises flags over the collapse of dissent and the rise of narrative policing. 👉 Read the full post here on Ground Control.

Councillor Exodus

P11: By-election to replace councillor (MBDC) | P11: Vacancies open ward positions (AHC)

Mt Barker and Adelaide Hills Councils head to the polls again.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out our councils are in real trouble. And the 'toxic culture' is just the beginning. Constant by-elections, resignations citing bullying, and infighting over pay rises all point to a broken culture that no amount of procedural gloss can hide.

It’s clear that ratepayers are footing the bill for all of this dysfunction — $55,000 per election — and getting little in return. The steady churn of councillors also raises serious questions about leadership, morale, and whether anyone in these chambers is focused on long-term service over short-term scuffles.

If local government can't even hold itself together, how is it meant to tackle the issues that really matter such as infrastructure, housing, or community support?

Smokey and the Band-Aid

P7: Police raid tobacco outlet

Whatever you think of tobacco, this isn’t about smokes. It’s the stench of process erosion and State overreach if you ask me. Granting the State power to bypass courts and crush livelihoods is a slippery slope. Today it’s vapes — tomorrow it could be something far more political.

Renewables Strikes Again

P18: Battery power storage plan for Strathalbyn

This article is a textbook example of a project that sounds sensible — until you start asking questions the Courier didn’t.

– Why 4.99?
Funny how these projects always come in just under the 5 MVA threshold. That’s not an accident — it’s the cut-off point for triggering more intensive environmental and planning oversight.

– Who’s backing it?
Lunio Energy is name-dropped without background. Are they a serious operator or a shell for a larger play? What's their track record on safety and delivery?

– What’s the lifecycle cost?
Battery storage is often pitched as clean and green — but lithium iron phosphate still has embedded energy costs, supply chain concerns, and future recycling issues.

– And who benefits?
Does the community actually see a reduction in grid pressure or prices — or is this just a grid-level export with Lunio Energy receiving the benefits?

– And who’s paying?
Silly question. We all are — courtesy of the Federal battery subsidy scheme.

This is nothing more than subsidies in disguise.

Control Tower

Transmission clearing. Now we’re back to real-time scanning, with no static and no lag.

Disclaimer:
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.

Ground Control to... well, anyone still receiving

Apologies for the transmission lag — this edition got caught in the vortex of government spin we’re faced with on a daily basis. We’re back on frequency now, with full diagnostic sweep underway. Keeping it brief.

First up:

Mount Barker Hospital: Dead on Arrival

P1: Too Little, too late

Only a government could sink millions into a 'new' hospital that’s already outdated and inadequate before it’s even delivered.

It’s not just a case of being too little, too late — it’s symptomatic of a planning culture that responds to crisis only after it’s already overwhelmed, then calls it a win. A 102-bed hospital for one of the fastest-growing regions in the state? Did the State Government even bother consulting the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP) — their own blueprint for population growth in the Hills?

Local doctors warn the place will be obsolete within two years. The union says it needs double the current ED staff. Queue the recycled spin: “It’s a step in the right direction.” If this is forward momentum, we’re marching backwards into the future.

Your View

Page 6

Hill Tourism: → Harold Gallasch doesn't waste words — he mirrors the sentiments I expressed in the previous edition but with more specifics. 🙏

For 40 years, Hahndorf one of South Australia's most visited destinations has been pleading for two things: a bypass and off-street parking. Both have been promised. Neither delivered. Meanwhile, some twat in a CBD office wheels out a "grandiose promotional scheme" that will only make the existing problems worse. As Harold points out, Hahndorf is tourism resilience. All it asks for is maintenance, preservation, and a bypass that's two decades overdue.

Maybe the real tourism slogan should be: Drive past Hahndorf — there’s nowhere to park anyway.

Get on board nuclear: → “The truth: nuclear, is the only real green energy” — there’s nothing more that needs to be said. 🙏

Cancer Risks: Robert McCormick raises a question too few dare to ask: is our modern diet — packed with synthetic additives, engineered fats, and chemical preservatives — quietly fuelling the rise in early-age cancers?

He’s not being alarmist. He’s being observant. It’s a call to connect the dots. Because if food is medicine, then what exactly are we prescribing ourselves every time we open a packet?

It’s Enough To Make You Irate

P8: Rate rise above CPI

This edition it’s Mt Barker Council’s turn to vote in a 3.55% rate hike — and like AHC, this one’s also well above CPI, dressed up as ‘smoothing.’ Smooth for who, exactly?

According to the Courier, the strategy is part of a three-year plan to lift rates at or above CPI, even as locals question the value. No curbside hard waste. No major capital works. Just higher bills and vague reassurances about financial sustainability.

But here’s what didn’t make the page: at least one councillor voted against the rise. So no, it wasn’t a unanimous decision. It was a majority choice to squeeze residents harder during a cost-of-living crisis — and call it responsible governance.

Paying more but getting less? That’s not strategy. That’s shrinkflation in disguise.

Ditto for Strathalbyn

P9: Alexandrina approves 3.05% rate rise

I’m not saying the CPI is fake — I’m just saying it seems to be the only number councils consistently ignore. When all three major local councils in the region blow past Adelaide’s inflation benchmark in the same budget cycle, the game’s up. Either CPI is a meaningless fiction, or local government finance is.

Alexandrina’s “sustainability plan” comes with a 3.05% hike — admittedly lower than Mt Barker’s and Adelaide Hills, but still above inflation and still justified with a wad of consultant-speak. And like the others, it punts any hope of a real operating surplus several years downfield.

Control Tower

The transmission is clearing. One more backlog to go — then we’re back to real-time scanning, no static and no lag.

Disclaimer:
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.

Ground Control to... well, anyone still receiving

After drifting off comms for a few weeks, we’re back in orbit and sifting through Courier telemetry. Turns out South Australia didn’t pause while we were away — it just kept pretending the wheels aren’t falling off.

First up:

Classroom Chaos — No Consequences, No Control

P1,3: School Violence | P2: Opinion - Classroom chaos

This is what happens when there are no consequences for bad behaviour.
The piece highlights something most of us already know instinctively: discipline is no longer the backbone of the classroom — and this is the natural outcome. When teachers are powerless and students face no real consequences, chaos wins. But this isn’t just a school problem. It's the same broken logic behind lenient bail conditions, light sentencing, and the broader culture of excusing misconduct in the name of compassion.
Soft on crime — whether in schools or society — always equals more crime. And when accountability disappears, so does respect.

👉 Let’s be clear: This is a fixable issue. But it will take a return to previous values — and strength in leadership.

Tourism Plan — All Sizzle, No Carpark

P5: Tourism plan aims to increase revenue

It's ironic to see the State Government spruiking its grand 2030 tourism vision while continuing to neglect the very basics — like roads and parking — in the regions it’s banking on.
The Adelaide Hills is promoted as a "resilient, sustainable" tourism hotspot, and yet visitors and locals alike are forced to navigate bottlenecks, crumbling infrastructure, and inadequate parking.
You can’t build a national tourism strategy while main streets are gridlocked on weekends and visitors can’t find a park.
It’s one thing to count day-trippers and hotel bookings — it’s another to plan for them properly. The State’s message rings hollow when local councils are left scrambling to fund basic services from shrinking budgets.

If the Hills is the “place to be,” then start treating it like it matters — with the funding and infrastructure to match.

Your View

Page 6

Result not cause: → Once again Mr G. Inkster is bringing some common sense to the climate debate. 🙏

Taxing the unreal: → A letter from yours truly, included below. Go here to read the full post on Ground Control.

Council Rates: Up, up and away

P8: Councillors endorse 6.2% rate increase

Ratepayers in the Hills are being told to swallow a 6.2% increase — nearly triple CPI — in the name of “a financially sustainable future.” Translation: we’re paying extra to fix the last round of budget bungles, missed IT costs, and creative accounting that counted salaries as capital expenditure.

And while the council pats itself on the back for apparent fiscal responsibility, residents are left wondering what exactly we're sustaining — besides bureaucracy.

Turns out the Councillors being “unified in support” just means no one had the guts to call out the BS.

No Consequences — That’s the Problem

P10: Suspended jail term for theft of machinery

A man steals $12,000 worth of equipment, leaves tracks leading straight to his shed, confesses, and walks free with a suspended sentence — because life was hard and he felt bad. The court agreed it was serious. They just didn’t think it needed consequences.

👉 It’s the same story we saw on page one — just written for grown-ups.

Control Tower

Same frequency next week.

Seen In Print

A condensed version of my Taxing the Unreal post was included.

Disclaimer:
All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly and reflect ongoing community engagement. They do not represent the views of any official role or organisation.

It’s worth noting the Advertiser fails to ask any hard questions or offer any insight into whether the action is likely to be effective. Instead, we’re left with another round of sympathetic reporting and a vague promise of an inquiry — one conveniently contingent on funding from the Local Government Association itself.

Ms Bonaros said the inquiry was contingent on it being funded by the Local Government Association of SA, but the parliament now had an "expectation" it would happen.

Yes, the Local Government Association investigating its own based on a parliamentary expectation — you can already tell how far this inquiry will get.

LGA SA president Heather Holmes-Ross said they expected to meet with the commissioner in the coming weeks to discuss the cost, scope and length of an inquiry.

Yeah, let’s get those wheels of bureaucracy turning — but don’t move too fast.

No doubt the LGA will milk the state government for every dollar and delay it can. Expect drawn-out discussions, scope creep, and findings released too late to matter or make any real difference.

My prediction on final result: half baked, indeterminate, heavily redacted, and ultimately meaningless — a limited hangout, made to look like reform where nothing will ultimately change.

Nothing to see here — just the machinery of government protecting its own.

Apologies for the cynical Sunday rant — Darren

Disclaimer:

All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.

Signal Check

It’s telling to see what made the front page this week — and what didn’t. Between ratepayer-funded bike races, freeway upgrades, and council dysfunction spilling into Parliament, the Courier offers more than headlines. It offers a glimpse into how local governance, planning, and priorities are being framed — and, at times, quietly reframed.

This week’s edition reads like a case study in top-down decisions, selective scrutiny, and the cost of internal political games. Let’s strip the varnish and decode what’s really going on.

Council Claims

Page 1 & 3: A prominent front-page headline points to serious grievances aired in Parliament by a former Adelaide Hills Councillor. The allegations involve misuse of council processes and retaliation for dissent. The Courier outlines claims of a "toxic" environment and lack of proper governance.

While the story itself does a fair job of summarising the claims, there’s still no broader reflection on what this means for public trust in local government. Dysfunction at council level isn’t new — but when it reaches the floor of Parliament, the media ought to dig deeper. Where's the follow-up? Where's the editorial pressure on those still in power?

Where’s the deeper investigation into the sidelining of Adelaide Hills Council Mayor Jan-Clair Wisdom and the use of significant council resources on legal manoeuvring to enforce confidentiality and prevent details of these situations leaking to the public??

Tour Comeback

Page 1 & 5: The Tour Down Under will return to the Hills in 2025, with the Adelaide Hills Council allocating $82,000 of ratepayer money to support it. Council leaders say it's a chance to "showcase the region" and stimulate economic activity.

The commentary in the Opinion section adds more context. If the Adelaide Hills Council wasn’t wasting so many resources on internal in-fighting, then finding funding community projects like this wouldn’t be such a stretch.

It also raises questions about priorities. When basic infrastructure is struggling and residents are facing rising rates, is what ratepayers want? While I can't answer specifically, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that ratepayers don't want their funds wasted on lawyers.

Interchange Works

Page 1 Inset: There’s a brief note on the contractors being selected for upgrades to the Verdun and Mount Barker freeway interchanges. It's buried on the front page but expanded later in the paper. It's positive to see these projects gaining momentum. Given the explosive past, present and future growth of Mount Barker the interchange upgrades can't come soon enough.

Your View

Page 6

Comic Relief: A clever cartoon this week, but the headline deserves more than a chuckle. 'US Goes Bananas' might be a gag, but the real story beneath is no joke. Strategic bombing of Iranian nuclear sites is an escalation with global consequences. The Courier’s framing hides the gravity behind B1 and B2 pyjamas. While we laugh, the world edges closer to another conflict—one Australians will be expected to support without question or scrutiny. We can only hope the negotiated ceasefire claims are real.

Death by degree: A letter from yours truly. Click the button below to read the full version on the Ground Control website.

Death By Degree

Not warming: G. Inkster’s letter stands out as a rare example of historical perspective and calm logic in a debate often ruled by fear. He reminds readers that climate has always shifted—long before SUVs and CO₂ targets. The selective use of 1850 as a benchmark is never questioned, nor is the political convenience of a 1.5°C “crisis threshold”.

More people are waking up to the fact that the climate narrative is now a vehicle for power, profit, and policy overreach. And as Inkster rightly points out, the real sting isn’t the weather—it’s the insurance premiums, taxes, and regulation that flow from the hysteria.

Clear Mr Inkster understands what's going on. Well challenged sir.

Strathalbyn Planning Overlay

Page 14: The Alexandrina Council has given conditional support to the State Government’s push for co-located housing in Strathalbyn. The language is softened with talk of ‘test cases’, ‘ambience’, and ‘creative ways’ to fix the housing crisis—yet the implications are serious.

While co-located housing could certainly form part of the solution for housing crisis it can’t be consider in isolation to the natural outcomes of increased density without infrastructure upgrades.

Control Tower

This is my read on the static. If yours differs, I’d love to hear it.

Same frequency next week.

Seen In Print

A condensed version of my letter Death by degree was included on Page 6. Here’s how it ran in print:

Disclaimer:

All views expressed are the personal views of Darren Kelly. They are independent of any official role or organisation and reflect an ongoing commitment to open discussion and democratic integrity.