The search to highlight the South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year for 2024 has begun, with nominations now open. Introduced in 2019, the Agricultural Town of the Year Award recognises the importance of developing and maintaining a strong agricultural sector by recognising towns excelling in agricultural practices, strengthening their region, and supporting a vibrant and resilient community.  Last year Wudinna on the Eyre Peninsula took out the coveted award in recognition of the town’s leadership in the agriculture sector.This included in agricultural education for local children and young people and for its current and relevant farmer-driven research and development. Mypolonga, Kimba, Pinnaroo, and Cleve have also previously won the Award and now proudly display a sign in recognition of their achievement at the entrance of the town for all to see. Most Fleurieu towns have been nominated in the last five years with several making the top ten, including Myponga and Strathalbyn, as well as Kangaroo Island’s Parndarna.Nominations for South Australia’s next Agricultural Town of the Year can be made online. Nominations close Wednesday 5 June. Any regional town in South Australia can be nominated and enter the Agricultural Town of the Year Award. For the purpose of the award, ‘agriculture’ refers to all primary industries – field crops, horticulture, meat and livestock, dairy, grape and wine, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture. A town’s involvement in agriculture is not limited to farmers but includes the wider community that supports the industry including shops, service providers, community activities. The public will then be invited to vote for which of the nominated towns they believe deserves to win from 11 June to 27 June, with the ‘Top 10’ towns announced in early July. The Top 10 towns are invited to submit written applications that outline how they promote and support agriculture, which are assessed by an independent judging panel. The panel then selects three finalists which will move forward to the town visits stage of the competition.The Agricultural Town of the Year Award is an initiative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions and delivered in partnership with InDaily.The 2024 winner will be announced at the Regional Showcase Awards celebration event on October 24.

Finniss MP David Basham has called on south coast residents to let him know about their ongoing issues with electricity reliability.The state MP recently held a meeting with SA Power Networks about difficulties with power reliability in Port Elliot. He says it was a productive meeting that highlighted the concerns raised by many locals about frequent power outages and the impact they have on households, businesses, and essential services in the area. “During the meeting, SA Power Networks acknowledged the challenges faced by customers in Port Elliot and provided insights into the causes of the deteriorating electricity reliability. “They outlined their plans to address these issues, including infrastructure upgrades, maintenance schedules, and improved communication strategies to keep customers informed during outages.”Mr Basham says he emphasised the urgency of finding sustainable solutions and ensure that the community has access to a reliable power supply. “I was informed that there has been a combination of factors including lightning strikes on insulators in late 2023 and early 2024, some corrosion of cross arms and insulator pins, and equipment failure that has combined to create a sharp increase in outages after several years of good performance.”He says SA Power networks has replaced several lightning-damaged insulators, which appears to have improved reliability in recent weeks.It started a program to address the issues in March, which is expected to include replacement of all cross arms and insulators on about 90 Poles and replacement of about 15 Poles at a cost of $1 million.Mr Basham's electoral office is at 71 Victoria Street, Victor Harbor. He can be contacted by email or phone 8552 2152. 

Six CFS crews with approximately 30 firefighters attended a single story house fire on Queen Street in Strathalbyn in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 15 May. The house was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene.Crews continued working to contain the blaze and protect neighbouring properties into the early hours of this morning. One occupant was in the house when the fire started and has been taken to hospital.The fire cause is currently unknown but is thought to be accidental and Fire Investigators have been notified.The cost of damage has been estimated at $300,000.

Milang and District Community Association has been awarded a state government grant of $50,000 from its Thriving Regions program.The money will be used to install an industrial kitchen in the Milang Lakeside Butter Factory, which will support hospitality training and events.It is part of an additional $800,000 allocated to support community projects in regional South Australia.Delivered through the Thriving Regions Fund, the program provides small grants to associations and charities for projects that build social resilience. The state government says these facilitate greater community participation, a sense of belonging, and ease of access.The grants range from $20,000 to $50,000 and are used to fund initiatives such as new or improved infrastructure and equipment; access to services and programs; and events with wellbeing outcomes.An additional 21 projects have had their applications granted as a result of the funding.An extension to the Jamestown shearing training centre, new machinery and tools at the Millicent Men’s Shed metal workshop, and a new playground and shaded area at the Lochiel Community Centre are among the other successful projects.The restored heritage-listed Butter Factory was officially opened on 14 April and will host the Alexandrina Heritage Awards on 23 May.The Thriving Regions Fund is a $15 million commitment per annum, to support projects that enable regional industries to grow jobs and strengthen regional communities.For more information go to the PIRSA website.

Victor Harbor Group of the Country Fire Service will host an open day on Sunday 19 May for anyone interested in finding out about the CFS. The group is made up of four south coast brigades: Hindmarsh Valley; Lower Inman Valley; Waitpinga; and Victor Operations Support. The open day will be held at Lower Inman Valley, on Watson Road, from 10am to 2pm. There will be firefighting demonstrations, operational demonstrations of fire trucks, a free sausage sizzle and a visit from Smokey the Bear. Potential volunteers and people of all ages interested in discovering more about what the CFS does are all welcome.    

A $5 million project to rehabilitate and ecologically restore 5.3 kilometres of much-loved yet degraded creeks in southern Adelaide has begun in the City of Onkaparinga.Funded by the federal government through its Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the five-year council project aims to restore the health of several creeks and tributaries to benefit native plants, animals and local communities.The Urban Creek Resilience and Recovery Project will focus on Panalatinga Creek, Serpentine Creek and some of their tributaries.It will address common challenges posed by urban development including pollution, erosion, silt deposits, localised flooding, loss of native vegetation and exotic weeds.Technical experts, Traditional Owners and the community will be invited to join forces with the City of Onkaparinga to plan and design nature-inspired solutions for the creeks, which are popular with the local community and provide a refuge for native wildlife.City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were says Onkaparinga’s communities cherish their local environments, which is why the council wants to work with them to restore these special creeks to their former glory.“Activities we expect to undertake over the next five years include removing exotic weeds, litter, debris and silt; improving stormwater infrastructure; installing sedimentation ponds; revegetation with local native species; removing concrete channels; and facilitating greater community involvement through planting events, signage and improved access points.“Improving the health and function of these watercourses will provide better habitat for local plants and wildlife, and more inviting spaces for our community to connect with nature.”Onkaparinga Council says the creeks are part of the Field River catchment and are connected to the Byards and Candy Road wetlands and nearby conservation reserves.This makes them important habitat corridors for many threatened species.Key project objectives include:Establishing and improving riparian and aquatic habitats to benefit native species, including threatened species.Improving water quality, hydrology, or in-stream connectivity to benefit native and threatened aquatic species.Improving urban green space, providing community access to nature, and helping reduce heat-related impacts in urban areas caused by climate change.Amanda Rishworth, federal Minister for Social Services, says the project is informed by community needs. “The local community were involved in the design phases and there will be many more opportunities for people to get outside and get involved with this project.“This funding is part of the Australian Government’s broader Nature Positive Agenda which aims to leave Australia’s environment in a better state and help protect communities from the heat-related impacts of climate change.”To find out more about the project and to get involved visit the City of Onkaparinga website.

For leading the way to better protect the state’s heritage and streetscapes Alexandrina, Onkaparinga and Yankalilla councils are set to receive extra state government funding. In recognition of their proactive work, Heritage Code Amendment grants of up to $75,000 are being offered to eight councils across the state to improve planning rules that strengthen protections for local heritage places, Historic Areas and Character Areas. The City of Adelaide, Alexandrina Council, Barunga West Council, City of Prospect and City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, have received funding offers to match council costs for the Code Amendment process. The work underway by these councils would introduce or strengthen protections for approximately 93 local heritage places, 458 representative buildings and 15 historic areas. Three more councils are also progressing improved heritage planning rules and, subject to Code Amendment initiation, would introduce protections for about 120 properties and a historic area across the City of Onkaparinga, District Council of Yankalilla and Adelaide Plains Council. These eight councils are the first to act on the State Planning Commission’s three-prong approach to boost character and heritage protections, through elevating Character Areas to Historic Areas, updating Character Area Statements and tougher demolition controls in Character Areas. Planning Minister Nick Champion says the state government has a focus on protecting local heritage for the enjoyment of future generations. “These councils are amongst the first movers in acting on the government’s three-pronged approach to heritage and character.  “Funding offers have already been made to five councils, and the remaining three councils will be given this opportunity once the Code Amendments have been initiated.”    

The Fleurieu will be one of the regions to benefit from extension of a trial to attract and retain more doctors in regional and rural South Australia.The new Single Employer Model (SEM) will support up to 60 additional GP and rural generalist registrars training in the community at any one time – potentially quadrupling the state’s existing cohort as the program scales up over time.Under the program, GP and rural generalist registrars will have the option of being employed by the South Australian Health Service as salaried employees. This would allow them to have a single employer while placed in GP practices in rural and regional locations across the state, instead of having to change employers every six or 12 months with each new placement.By providing GP and rural generalist registrars with guaranteed income and entitlements such as annual leave, parental leave, sick leave and other remuneration and benefits received by doctors working in hospital settings, the SEM will make working in rural and general practice more attractive and improve recruitment and retention of GPs in regional and rural communities. It will cover five regional and rural Local Health Networks in Barossa Hills and Fleurieu, Eyre and Far North, Flinders and Upper North, Yorke and Northern, and Limestone Coast. The new trial is part of an SEM expansion announced in the October 2022 and May 2023 Federal Budgets. Trials will run until 2028. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler this innovative approach will help to retain the doctors needed to continue to provide essential primary healthcare services to South Australians.“We look forward to working collaboratively with the Malinauskas Government to make training and working in rural general practice a more attractive option for young doctors. “Importantly, it will make it easier for people in regional South Australia to see a doctor close to home.” State Health Minister Chris Picton says the Single Employer Model has been successful in the Riverland for the past two years, increasing the local medical workforce by more than 25 per cent. “I am thrilled this is now rolling out across the rest of South Australia and supporting up to 80 GP and rural generalist registrars training in the community. “South Australians deserve access to quality health care no matter where they live, and having more doctors in the country is another step towards achieving this.” 

The Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre has established a Research Centre Advisory Forum to ensure a collaborative approach to the pressing climate challenges affecting the region. Climate change is placing significant pressure on the region’s delicate ecosystems with reducing river inflows, rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, more frequent and extreme climatic events, and habitat loss threatening biodiversity, ecosystems, and local communities.This forum brings together representatives from Commonwealth, state, and local government, local councils, Landscape Boards, First Nations and the community to guide and oversee the Centre’s research program.It has played a crucial role in prioritising research topics with input from more than 300 individuals from 50 organisations across the region.Under the guidance of the forum, the CLLMM Research Centre has identified priority research topics across four research themes: Climate Adaptation and Ecosystem Services; Climate Mitigation; Threatened Species; and Biodiversity.The Research Centre is also initiating research projects that address First Nations priorities, along with those that help to share knowledge and building capacity in the community.Goolwa resident Deidre Nieuwenhuis is a passionate member of the CLLMM Research Centre Advisory Forum.She is enthusiastic about the value of collaboration and knowledge exchange in setting the research priorities and addressing climate change impacts in the region. She highlights the importance of communication and the diverse perspectives presented within the forum, underscoring the synergy between scientific research and cultural wisdom.Following its recent prioritisation process the forum identified nine priority research topics, along with flagship projects focusing on estuarine connectivity, climate adaptation, ecosystem services and carbon capture potential of the region. Other priorities include:Examining the socio-economic impacts of cumulative droughts and floods. Optimising water management in the CLLMM Region.Assessing the benefits and risks of landscape revegetation.Synthesising knowledge on drought ecology and recovery.Investigating coastal dune migration and protection.Studying ocean beach ecology and threats.Conserving small-bodied threatened fish, waterbirds, and monitoring floodplain mussel/Lokeri populations. Researchers interested in these areas will collaborate with CLLMM Research Centre staff to develop project ideas under the guidance of the forum. Updates on research projects will be available on the CLLMM Research Centre website, Facebook page, and through its newsletter.

A man has died following a fatal crash at Port Elliot on Saturday afternoon.About 2.45pm on Saturday 11 May, police and emergency services were called to North Terrace after reports of a crash involving a car and a motorbike.The driver of the motorbike, a 30-year-old man from Chiton, died at the scene.The driver of the vehicle, a 50-year-old Second Valley woman and her passenger, a man aged in his 90’s, have been taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.North Terrace was closed to all traffic between Frederik Street and Tottenham Court Road whilst Major Crash Investigators attended the scene.Police are asking anyone with information about the crash or dash cam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on www.crimestopperssa.com.au or phone 1800 333 000 – you can remain anonymous.

The state government is urging older South Australians to check their personal alert devices are 4G compatible, before major telecommunications providers switch off their 3G networks.Telstra was due to shut down its 3G network from 1 July, but has now delayed it to 31 August because so many older devices are still in use.Optus is scheduled to shut down its 3G network from 1 September, while Vodaphone has already shuts its down.The upcoming network shutdown will not only impact mobile phones but also personal and medical alert devices – such as pendants and call button devices, which allow a person to quickly and easily send for help in the event of an emergency, such as a fall. These devices provide users with peace of mind and a sense of security as they get older.Older devices reliant on 3G technology will stop working after the shutdown.Customers of Personal AlertSA, a state government program that funds or subsidises devices and monitoring for eligible older people, can access support to upgrade to a 4G device – including options with no out-of-pocket cost.About 11,000 South Australians are enrolled in Personal AlertSA and while the vast majority are now using 4G devices, there are still more than 2,200 customers who have yet to transition their device. These people are urged to call the Personal AlertSA hotline urgently on 1300 700 169.People who access their personal alert devices from private providers or Commonwealth-supported programs, are strongly urged to contact their system provider for support before the 3G network is cut-off.For more information on Personal AlertSA and eligibility, go online www.sa.gov.au/concessions/pasa or phone 1300 700 169 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.Anne Burgess AM, is Deputy Chair of the Council on the Ageing (COTA) SA.“Personal alert devices help older people to feel more confident and safer in their homes,” she says.“Don’t risk having one that doesn’t work just when you need it.“If you’re not sure what network you’re on or how to move to 4G call 1300 700 169 and someone can help you.“If you have a family member or know someone who uses a personal alert device please encourage them to check their device and their network.”Telstra customers can find out if their mobile phones are impacted SMS 3 to 3498. For more information go to the website.

SPOTLIGHT STORYStory and photos: Ashley PorterBlended families have often been celebrated in fiction such as the vintage TV sitcom The Brady Bunch.The reality of living in a blended family is, of course quite different, and especially so when it includes family members who are neurodiverse.Living this reality are Claire Fuller with her two girls, Sienna, 16, and Scarlett, 11, and her partner Simon Capp, father of twins Heath and Austin, who turned 13 on Anzac Day.What makes the real-life situation for this Port Elliot family challenging and genuinely special, is that Scarlett and the twins are neurodiverse on the autism spectrum, meaning they have developmental, learning conditions or differences to be embraced.Claire believes that despite the situation this Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12, will again be a wonderful day for her, especially because their family circumstances continue to bring everyone closer.Last July Claire and Simon took on a 60 acre property on Range Road, Back Valley to create a pasture-raised eggs business – Back Valley Farm – a sustainable journey that is likely to lead to employment and a sense of achievement for their beautiful and bright children with autism.Claire has a background in environmental management and as a land management advisor, and Simon runs his own financial planning business, Tree House Financial Planning.They say a big consideration in making this 'tree change' from a previous suburban lifestyle was the children's future.Heath, who is home-schooled two days a week, is already thriving in his new environment. His work experiences include caring for 20 chickens in the first of a few caravans rotated across a pasture area protected by two alpacas, plus another nine 'chooks' in a pen. He longs for the day he can learn to drive the tractor. On Sundays he joins Claire, Simon and the girls volunteering at the local Crozier Cafe, preparing meals for people in need.“Volunteering is another means of getting the children involved in every-day activities,” Claire says.However, like every family caring for children with neurodiverse issues and doing the best it can for them, there have been challenging times.Claire notes that when her children attended a school in Adelaide specifically for those with autism, each of the 50 students at the time was from a broken family. “It tells you that neurodiversity puts a big strain on relationships really through no one's fault,” she says.“The thing I find most challenging is the reaction of some other people to our children. As one example, when I was at the supermarket recently I was at the check-out when I realised I had forgotten something so Scarlett went off to get the item for me. Instead of coming back around another person placing items on the conveyor belt she went between her and the belt to get to me. It was just Scarlett being herself; the shortest possible route.“The other person made a big thing of it unaware of Scarlett's issues. It's just those little things in our life and some people may say, 'oh she's just a kid' but you can only say that for so long.“There are a lot of things going on. There are complexities that I don't think have fully landed yet, and people who don't know just think that she is just being a rude kid. That can be hard.“Autism is not a difference or something that you can immediately see; it is a silent issue.“A lot of my work has been about environment engagement and dealing with outrage over environmental matters and my job was to be the mediator between community sentiment and state government policy so actually I am quite proficient in reading people in social situations. I am sensitive to that.”Simon and Claire will soon build on their Back Valley property with the thought the three youngest children will be with them for a very long time. “We know this, and it's not such a bad thing,” Claire says. “It is what it is.“I think neurodiversity exists in a lot of families, but often it is just seen as, 'oh they are just a little bit different'. It is about awareness.“Like other families in a similar situation I am sure what really matters is that our children are still beautiful and we love them all.“Simon has been an amazing dad. Every situation is unique, but I think the one thing that is keeping us together or being able to adapt to the situation is the approach to the kids and maybe having a particular focus on their needs while also ensuring it doesn't rule the whole life. Yes, there are special needs and it's about what can we do for them, but we also the need to draw the line.“I think it helps being very active people, that we keep things moving, we engage, we are motivated to find them help, and motivated to find connection with other similar home-schooled children on the Fleurieu.“I know that on Mother's Day I will be just as proud as any other mother. It's hard work, but it's also hard for a lot of other mums of this world. I hope they have a great day like I will.”

Police are at the scene of a serious crash at Port Elliot.About 2.45pm on Saturday 11 May, police and emergency services were called to North Terrace after reports of a crash involving a car and a motorbike.North Terrace is closed to all traffic between Frederik Street and Tottenham Court Road, please avoid the area.

The state government is warning South Australians to be wary of dodgy unlicensed and door-to-door tradespeople. Consumer and Business Services has seen a spike of roughly 20 per cent in complaints about unlicensed tradies including plumbers, gas fitters and electricians in the past financial year. In total, CBS has received nearly 530 allegations of unlicensed or out of scope work in the building, plumbing, electrical and gas fitting industry in the 2023/24 financial year to date, compared to just under 440 for the same period in the previous financial year. A number of these matters are still under consideration, with formal warnings issued in more than 160 matters raised in the course of the financial year to date. CBS has also received a continuing number of reports of rogue tradies going door to door, offering low-cost services. It says that they capitalise on cost-of-living pressures, try ingto lure people in with the promise of quick, cheap work. But the work is often of a poor standard and costs far more to repair than hiring a qualified professional instead. By law, every builder and tradesperson must display their licence number on any advertising, including on social media, their website and business card. People should only deal with someone who is licensed and this can be checked by asking to see their licence card or by looking them up on the CBS website.Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs Andrea Michaels says the spike in complaints is very concerning.I suspect that the spike is being driven by cost-of-living pressures as more people are being tempted by the offer of cheap work. “While I completely understand why people would be tempted, they need to remember that an offer that seems to be too good to be true often is and can end up costing more in the long run. “Never accept an offer from someone going door to door without doing your research first. “Seek multiple quotes, look for testimonials and if the tradie is using high-pressure tactics to try and force a sale, don’t engage and report it to CBS.” More advice on hiring a tradie can be found online. Unlicensed tradespeople can also be reported via the CBS website or by calling 131 882.   

The community has the chance to explore study and training opportunities at the TAFE SA Victor Harbor Campus, with an open day on Wednesday, 15 May.Job seekers, employers, career changers and school students are all welcome to attend.The open day will include campus tours and information sessions throughout the day, giving visitors the opportunity to see classes in action, talk with lecturers and check out the facilities.Dean Pratt is TAFE SA Manager Education Partnerships - Adelaide Metro, Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island.He says vocational education and training provides important workforce skills and the open day offers the chance to find out more about the career pathways available.“We really want to encourage people to come along and get involved in the day’s activities,” he says.“TAFE SA delivers high-quality, industry-relevant training across a range of sectors and this is a great opportunity to find out what’s involved in studying with us.“Visitors will be able to see our well-equipped classrooms and skills labs, meet the lecturers and ask questions.“I’d also encourage local employers who are looking to train staff to come along and talk to us about customised training solutions.”TAFE SA’s student services team will be available to provide information on applying for courses and more about campus life. They will be joined by a range of other exhibitors, including MAS National who will be on hand to explain their services for trainees and apprentices, and Rotary Victor Harbor will cook up a sausage sizzle from 11am to 1pm.Mr Pratt says it’s an exciting time for TAFE SA’s Victor Harbor Campus with an upgrade to the resource centre and library currently under way, and a new Regional University Study Hub to be established at the campus.Courses currently delivered at Victor Harbor include Aged and Disability Services, Children’s Education and Care, Community and Family Services and a range of short courses.Other TAFE SA courses are available through online study and open day visitors will be able to see a demonstration of a virtual classroom.The open day will run from 9am to 3pm at the campus on George Main Road. Register to attend specific sessions via the TAFE SA website.

As a result of its Village Conversations during 2023, Alexandrina Council has started drafting its Recreation, Open-space & Sport Strategy (ROSS).It is asking sporting clubs and associations in the region to kickstart the process by completing a survey.The survey aims to help identify the current supply and demand for sporting facilities; it closes on Friday 17 May. This feedback will contribute to developing the ROSS draft over the next six months, which will then be put out for community consultation early next year.More information about the Alexandrina council ROSS and the timeline for consultation can be found on its My Say website. 

Langhorne Creek, Victor Harbor and Willunga are in the running to be named South Australia's Top Tourism Town for 2024.Victor Harbor took out the People's Choice Award and Top Tourism Town in 2023 and its council is keen to make it two years in a row.Votes for the top tourism town can be lodged on the Hello SA website, with a deadline for voting is Sunday 19 May. All voters go into a draw to win a $500 voucher to use at a participating council caravan park, courtesy of the Local Government Association of South Australia.Organised by Hello SA and the Tourism Industry Council of SA, winners will be announced on Tuesday 4 June.

BIRCH Team Strathalbyn and District Aged Care has taken out the Excellence in Practice - Aged Care award at the 2024 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.Nurses and midwives across South Australia were celebrated for their significant contribution to the health system at a gala evening last Friday 3 May.Part of Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network, the Birch program is a collaboration between Strathalbyn Aged Care and Dementia Australia.It was set up to build a model of care for the memory support unit at Strathalbyn.The unit has 24 beds and provides specialist care for people living with advanced dementia.Three key projects were devised through consultation with care staff and families of the residents living in the memory support unit.They involved improving the environment and the dining experience as well as setting up activities and meaningful engagement for the residents.The Strathalbyn BIRCH team were among 14 award winners, from 30 individual finalists and seven teams nominated for their excellence.Health Minister Chris Picton says he was honoured to attend the awards to recognise the amazing work that our nurses and midwives do every day in South Australia. “We are so fortunate to have world-class healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to provide quality care across our state’s hospitals, community, aged care and non-clinical services.  “They are truly the backbone of our health system and we are proud of the work they do.” For more information about finalists and award winners visit the SA Health website.A video from the BIRCH Team Strathalbyn and District Aged Care can also be viewed online.

Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie MP says she is appalled by falling levels of real investment in basic levels of home support for older Australians, despite a rapidly growing older population. Ms Sharkie has called the growing waiting list for Home Care Packages a national shame, and is urging the federal government to adequately resource it.She wants it to commit to funding an additional 80,000 Home Care Packages over the next three financial years in next week's Federal Budget, to fill the gaps in much needed care.The number of people aged over 65 years in Ms Sharkie's electorate of Mayo almost doubled over the last decade, she says, up from 23,939 in 2011 to 42,398 in the 2021 ABS Census. Australia-wide, between 2000 and 2020, the proportion of the population aged 65 years and over increased from 12.4 per cent to 16.3 per cent. Further, the Treasury's Intergenerational Report states that "the share of the population aged 65 and over is projected to increase by 6.1 percentage points by 2062–63, to 23.4 per cent".Despite this, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's Aged Care Data Snapshot annual series shows the real investment in 'low value' Commonwealth Home Support Program services has fallen in real terms over recent years.“My team and I are inundated by constituents who cannot find a provider for lower level Commonwealth Support at Home (CHSP) services such as gardening, cleaning and home maintenance,” Ms Sharkie says. “Some of them are simply unable to find such services even after years of contacting providers, many of whom no longer keep waiting lists. “Nor can they access CHSP block funding to pay for the services privately that they have been approved to receive.'“Lower level CHSP investment at the start of the aged care journey can help to forestall poor-health and falls, easing pressure on other parts of the aged care system, as well as our health and hospital systems. “It can be a lifeline for those on the growing national priority system waiting list for Home Care Packages.”“I want to see more investment in a faster assessment process to access aged care, and then waiting lists for approved CHSP and Home Care Packages need to be urgently brought down. “Older people must be able to access the support they deserve to maintain their health, dignity and independence. “This benefits them and is also more cost effective for the taxpayer, so I'm unsure what the Government is waiting for.“Aged care at home is failing and needs to be properly funded in the 2024-25 Federal Budget, or older Australians will continue to suffer waiting for care.”