All eyes on the Limestone Coast

Charlotte Varcoe

THE Limestone Coast attracted leaders from both sides of the state government this weekend.

Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas traveled to Mount Gambier/Berrin to attend the Generations in Jazz event, while Opposition Leader David Speirs also made the trip.

Mr Malinauskas said the Limestone Coast had “great locations” and “beautiful places” to eat and stay, but it was the people who kept him coming back.

“There is a warmth in this community that is hard to ignore,” Malinauskas said.

He said he felt that energy when he attended the jazz festival, which was not only for students from across the state and country, but also for the general public.

“There’s something special about that,” he said.

Mr Malinauskas said he would like to see more tourism come to the Limestone Coast, which he said has a lot to offer.

“We need to unlock that potential,” he said.

“The Limestone Coast industry is doing exceptionally well and hopefully as tariffs are lifted we can see those parts of the agricultural employment production sectors grow.

“We also have big ambitions for the forestry sector and it has always done well and is productive, but tourism feels like a sector that can go much further.”

Mr Speirs said in addition to attending Generations in Jazz, he also met with small businesses and toured the new Timberlink facility.

Speaking about the Limestone Coast, Mr Speirs said what he loved most was the fresh air and wide open spaces.

“I’m an outdoorsman, so for me the natural world is something that got me into politics,” Speirs said.

“I love the Glenelg River through Donovans and I am quite ambitious for the growth of this region.”

He said he believed the Limestone Coast was “punching well above its weight” economically in terms of food, fiber and tourism.

“These are very important industries in the region, but they can do much more,” Mr Speirs said.

“I am in favor of sensible planned population growth, but regional housing is a major challenge. If we can do that well and support this with good quality schools, educational facilities, hospitals and attract staff to the region, we will be well on our way.”