Lions to remain in the Parklands a little longer after City Council rejects live animal circus ban

A spate of arson attacks has plagued Adelaide overnight. The council votes against banning animal circuses from the parklands. Jason Gillespie to coach the Strikers.

A MOVE to ban circuses that use live animals from the Parklands has failed.

Adelaide City Councillor Robert Simms put a proposal before Tuesday’s meeting to ban animal circuses from the Parklands by 2016, but it was rejected by a split vote.

The council instead voted for bureaucrats to complete a report into the impacts of any ban for live animal circuses, by a margin of six votes to five.

Mr Simms said the use of live animals in circus performances was “archaic”.

Lennon Brothers Circus in Bonython Park in 2012 … a move to ban circuses that use live animals from the Parklands has failed.

“It’s not something that belongs in the 21st Century and it shouldn’t be allowed to continue in our city,” he said.

“Adelaide is trying to make a brand as a progressive and dynamic city and this is something that definitely belongs in our past.

“We do have an obligation to make sure our Parklands are used in an ethical and responsible manner.”

Mr Simms said he was disappointed the vote went against him but pledged to continue fighting for the ban.

“This isn’t the end of the matter,” he said.

“It was a very close vote and it shows that community sentiment has really shifted on this issue. I was inundated with support (for the ban).”

=Councillor Phillip Martin, who proposed the report be done instead of implementing the ban, said there may be unintended consequences of enacting new rules.

“We need to fully understand the ramifications (of a ban) before we rush into supporting it,” he said.

“What would it mean for the (Australian) 3 Day Event (an equestrian competition)? Would the horses be banned from the Parklands?”

Janice Lennon, from the Lennon Bros Circus, said she was relieved the council did not vote to implement the proposed ban.

“It’s the same mob (of animal rights activists) who write into every council in Australia trying to get us banned,” she said.

“They tend to have different levels of success depending on the area but I’m glad we are still here (in Adelaide) for a little while longer.”

Mrs Lennon said the lions used in the circus were well looked after content to perform tricks on stage.

“They are from the cat family so they are quite happy sleeping 16 to 19 hours a day,” she said.

“In fact, they are actually quite lazy animals.

“But they are part of our family and we put their welfare first.”

Animal Liberation SA chair Phil Cornelius said the council should have banned circuses that use exotic animals from the Parklands.

“These animals are simply being used for entertainment and it really is unacceptable,” he said.

“They are essentially wild animals so it is unethical to make them perform in this way.”

The RSPCA remains opposed to the use of exotic animals, such as lions, in circus acts.

Several councils across Australia have banned live animal circuses within their boundaries including Lismore in NSW, along the with ACT.

The Lennon Bros Circus will be running performances in Bonython Park until May 3.

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Lions to remain in the Parklands a little longer after City Council rejects live animal circus ban

Ricki-Lee Coulter to host the new reality show Life Cghanging Adventures produced in Adelaide

Life Changing Adventures, shot in SA, will be hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter. She’s with twins Joshua and Marcus plus Adeline from CanDo4Kids. Picture: NOELLE BOBRIGE
Source: News Limited

WE’RE used to seeing her tear it up on stage, but prepare to see a very different side of Ricki-Lee Coulter as she hosts the new reality show Life Changing Adventures.

“I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. That’s always more fun than sitting on the sidelines,” says Ricki-Lee, who was in Adelaide yesterday to launch the new series.

Produced here in Adelaide by Lisa Browne, the show will see everyday Australians undertake mystery challenges — this week in New Zealand — all in the name of charity.

Already, nine local contestants have raised $100,000 for CanDo4Kids and each episode will feature a People’s Challenge, which in NZ includes the giant Shotover Canyon Swing, supported by public donations to the charity partner.

“I once did a skydive when I was working on radio and once I got up there, I totally freaked out. So I’m sure there will be a few moments like that,” says the 2004 Australian Idol contestant, who was born in Auckland.

“I think it’s a beautiful idea for a show that’s uplifting and inspiring and you don’t really get that on reality TV. No one is getting humiliated, no one is getting voted out, it’s just all for a great cause.

“I’m on the adventure as much as they are. I want to get into things as well.”

Browne says the adventure is about “experiencing a very powerful personal journey with a big community benefit.”

The show will air nationally on TV later in the year and fans will be able to follow the adventures at the program’s Facebook page.

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Ricki-Lee Coulter to host the new reality show Life Cghanging Adventures produced in Adelaide

Public Service Association members have ‘no confidence’ in Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo

Tony Piccolo tours the Sampson Flat fireground in a photo posted on social media on January 5. Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook

EMBATTLED Minister Tony Piccolo has lost the confidence of a key union over his controversial emergency services reforms, which it believes pose a risk to public safety.

Public Service Association members working for the Metropolitan Fire Service, Country Fire Service, State Emergency Service and administrative areas passed a “motion of no confidence” in the minister earlier this week.

“PSA members in the emergency services sector move a motion of no confidence in the Minister for Emergency Services for failing to appropriately progress the reform of the sector in an open and transparent way,” the motion stated.

“Specifically, members refer to the unilateral decision by the minister to change the previously proposed model without further consultation.

“Members express strong concerns that the current path undertaken by the minister has the potential to impact the safety of the people of South Australia and will not meet the objectives of the reform.”

The union also raised concerns over the apparent lack of a cost-benefit analysis and emphasised that necessary changes to the law must be passed before the reforms were put in place.

Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo. Picture: Roger Wyman

PSA spokesman Peter Christopher said it was clear from the motion passed by members that they believe Mr Piccolo had a preconceived outcome in mind.

The no confidence motion is the latest in a raft of criticism of Mr Piccolo over his plans to merge the administration of the sector into one department, overseen by a new commissioner.

Hundreds of volunteer firefighters have protested against the reforms, association heads have spoken out and senior officials have raised concerns about the operational impact of the changes.

Mr Piccolo said he was pleased that the motion also reveals that the PSA supports, in principle, an efficient and effective sector, which was a key aim of this reform.

“I have revised the timing of the rollout of the sector model due to the feedback received as a result of the consultation so far,” he said.

“The original aims remain the same. The PSA have been a part of this process from the beginning. The consultation is ongoing through the reference group and working groups.”

Opposition emergency services spokesman Duncan McFetridge said this was more evidence that people in the sector had no faith in Mr Piccolo and that he was “out of his depth”.

Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire said this was another indicator that emergency service agencies were being pushed into reform that appears “ill-conceived”.

“You have to ask what is the Government’s real agenda if volunteers are unhappy, peak associations representing them are being ignored and now the union is raising alarm bells,” he said.

At a recent parliamentary inquiry, CFS Volunteers Association executive director Sonia St Alban revealed members were “quite angry” that Mr Piccolo was pursing legal action against The Advertiser for articles about volunteers saying they were called off the Sampson Flat fire front for a ministerial tour.

St Alban said volunteers were “of the view that the volunteers are the ones who should in fact be receiving an apology”.

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Public Service Association members have ‘no confidence’ in Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo

Girl dies in Kidman Park crash, then father commits suicide

There’s been an outpouring of grief for an eight-year-old girl, killed in a crash at Kidman Park.

POLICE are investigating whether family conflict was the catalyst for a road crash that killed an eight-year-old girl hours before her businessman father took his own life.

Nicola Tedesco was the only passenger in a BMW sedan driven by her mother Joanne, 33, when it smashed into a Stobie pole on Findon Rd at Kidman Park on Sunday morning.

The Advertiser understands Mrs Tedesco was trying to flee her estranged husband, Robert Tedesco, who was following behind in a black Porsche 4WD that has since been seized by police.

Nicola died in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Sunday evening. Mr Tesedsco, who owned the Cibo coffee shop on Rundle St, took his own life early on Monday.

Mrs Tedesco remained in hospital last night being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Scores of tributes including flowers, a soft toy and mementos were left the crash scene on Monday.

A note described the dead girl as a “little angel”.

A floral tribute at the scene on Findon Rd, Kidman Park. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“Dear Nikki, we will love you forever, our little angel,” the note read.

Another note said that Nicola was now in heaven with her father.

Friends and family gathered at Mrs Tedesco’s Kidman Park home yesterday, but declined to speak to The Advertiser.

Neighbours said there was often shouting coming from the property and that Mrs Tedesco wanted to start a new life after leaving her husband.

One woman said the pair had lived an affluent lifestyle for many years and owned popular hospitality businesses around the state.

The couple formerly ran Boost Juice franchises and coffee shops.

The BMW sedan involved in the accident on Findon Road, Kidman Park.

Police yesterday afternoon confirmed that Major Crash officers were investigating the circumstances of the crash and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

“There is an active investigation by Major Crash Investigation Unit into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash at Kidman Park on Sunday morning,” an emailed release stated.

“Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or events leading to the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Nicola’s death takes the state’s road toll to 25, compared to 26 at the same time last year.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY BE AT RISK OF SUICIDE, CONTACT LIFELINE 13 11 14, BEYOND BLUE 1300 22 46 36 OR SALVO CARE LINE 1300 36 36 22.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CONTACT THE NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT, DOMESTIC FAMILY VIOLENCE COUNSELLING SERVICE 1800 737 732.

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Girl dies in Kidman Park crash, then father commits suicide

Port Pirie, Whyalla without gas after major rupture in pipeline

Greg Collins, owner of the Flinders Motel on Main, is concerned that the gas outage will affect the number of people staying at his motel. Picture: Noelle Bobrige
Source: News Corp Australia

WHYALLA residents have switched off their gas to guarantee supplies to their town’s hospital, as a ruptured pipeline leaves tens of thousands of people facing days without service.

Energy authorities could not say last night when supplies would be restored to Port Pirie and Whyalla, but repairs to the line are expected to take at least five says.

The shutdown has halted operations at Port Pirie’s Nyrstar smelter and could cost the state economy millions.

Emergency services were called to the pipeline rupture in a spur of the Moomba-to-Adelaide gas supply line, between the towns of Gladstone and Caltowie, about 5.30pm on Sunday.

Nine-and-a-half-thousand gas connections have been cut off since Sunday afternoon, 5500 of those in Port Pirie and 4000 in Whyalla, including homes and businesses.

APA Group, which operates and manages the SA natural gas supply, could not say exactly how many people were directly affected, because the 9500 connections ranged from single-occupancy units to major industries.

Saeid Safavi and his son Rafael, 6, at his cafe SaFAVI which no longer has a working kitchen. Picture: Noelle Bobrige

Epic Energy SA, which owns the pipeline, said customers should expect to be without gas for the next five days if no more ruptures were found.

Workers are excavating around 80m of pipeline to check for leaks, which will take two days if no other problems are found. It will take another two days to repair the rupture, thought to be caused by an earthquake.

Supplies to Whyalla Hospital had been saved when 1200 other customers were asked to shut off their supplies at the meter. “Gas supplies to Whyalla Hospital are continuing and there has been no disruption to current services,’’ SA Health said in a written statement.

It said emergency and inpatient services at Port Pirie Hospital were continuing as normal, but some elective surgeries have been cancelled.

Epic Energy SA said its crews were working around the clock to restore supplies.

Caffe Primo in Port Pirie had to close its doors because of the gas outage. Picture: Noelle Bobrige

“Port Pirie and Whyalla are served by the same lateral pipeline that runs off the Moomba-to-Adelaide gas pipeline, which is owned by Epic Energy,” it said in a written statement.

“Our engineers and staff’s assessment of the site began at first light this (Monday) morning and road closures remain in place.

“While we can confirm that it is a full pipeline rupture, we are still unable to speculate on the exact cause or exactly when gas supply will resume.”

Geoscience Australia data shows there was a 2.1 magnitude earth tremor, with an epicentre about 10km from where the leak was reported, about 5.20am on Friday.

Port Pirie smelter operator Nyrstar could not be sure what the economic impact of the shutdown would be, but a spokeswoman said about 75 per cent of the site was already wound down for scheduled plant maintenance. All production had now ceased.

An eight-year-old girl has died after a crash at Findon. Two teens arrested over a high speed chase. Trial underway of Bernie Finnigan on child porn charges.

She said there had been no impact on employment as workers had been assigned to maintenance duties.

Port Pirie Regional Council chief executive Andrew Johnson said his city contributed $701 million to the South Australian economy each year, or $1.9 million a day.

Regional Development Australia spokesman for Whyalla and the Eyre Peninsula said the City of Whyalla’s contribution to Gross Regional Product was $1.4 billion each year, or around $4 million every day.

Tourism operators have already been affected by the shutdown. Port Pirie’s Flinders Motel on Main owner Greg Collins said guests were without hot water because of the outage.

“When people are travelling, the first thing they want to do is to be able to have a hot shower, but unfortunately I can’t offer them that,” he said.

“Not even I can have a hot shower at home.

“Everyone is affected and we’ll continue to be affected for the next few days.”

Cafe SaFAVI owner Saeid Safavi said he would likely lose more than $1000 a day because of the cut to Port Pirie’s gas supply.

“We can’t cook anything out of the kitchen,” he said.

“We’ve been able to serve people coffees, and wraps and salads, but other than that we’ve been limited.’’

Port Pirie Regional Mayor John Rohde said the council would work with the community to offer as much support as possible. “We want to be able to offer people as many services as we can, whether that’s offering the gas barbecues to cook on or shower facilities,” Mr Rohde said.

“Five days is a long time for people to go without hot water and gas for cooking.”

APA Group networks group executive John Ferguson said supply priority was being given to Whyalla Hospital. “All gas consumers are asked to turn off their gas supply valve at their meter,’’ he said.

“For the safety of the general public and APA workers, during this interruption it is stressed that gas consumers do not attempt to connect natural gas appliances to alternative gas supplies such as LPG bottled gas. To do so may result in a fire or explosion.”

APA Group representatives will be visiting all gas-connected properties to ensure gas meters are turned off prior to re-establishing supply and relighting appliances.

Anyone who finds themselves without gas should leave their gas meter turned off until an APA Group representative calls to turn gas back on.

For further information, residents can be make inquiries through the APA Group Natural Gas Emergency Hotline on 1800 898 220.

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Port Pirie, Whyalla without gas after major rupture in pipeline

Salisbury Bakery,Adelaide,South Australia

Salisbury Bakery,Adelaide,South Australia

Ruptured pipeline cuts gas supplies to Whyalla, Port Pirie

The Moomba gas field operation in the Cooper Basin.
Source: News Limited

THOUSANDS of properties in Port Pirie and Whyalla are likely to be without gas supply for five days after a leak in a major supply line.

Police and emergency services were called to the significant leak in a spur of the Moomba to Adelaide gas line, between the towns of Gladstone and Caltowie, about 5.30pm on Sunday.

Police said there was minimal risk to public safety because of the isolated area of the gas leak.

The leak is expected to significantly disrupt gas supplies in the area for some time.

APA Group, which operates and manages the SA natural gas supply, said about 5500 consumers in Port Pirie were without mains gas supplies and the problem had extended to Whyalla.

Epic Energy SA, which owns the pipeline, said customers should expect to be without gas for the next five days.

Its crews were working around the clock to restore supplies, it said.

“Port Pirie and Whyalla are served by the same lateral pipeline that runs off the Moomba to Adelaide gas pipeline, which is owned by Epic Energy,” it said.

“A section of that lateral line was closed following last night’s incident as a safety precaution.

“Our engineers and staff’s assessment of the site began at first light this morning and road closures remain in place.

“While we can confirm that it is a full pipeline rupture, we are still unable to speculate on the exact cause or exactly when gas supply will resume.”

Epic Energy chief executive Clive D’Cruz said the company had sent excavation equipment to the site of the rupture.

“We have mobilised the equipment needed to further assess and rectify the situation, which will require digging back from the incident point approximately 40 metres each side to ensure there are no further issues,” he said.

“We anticipate this will take approximately 48 hours.

“Assuming there are no issues, we will then require another 48 hours to repair the pipe and restore the gas flow to the Port Pirie and Whyalla townships.”

Mr D’Cruz said Epic Energy wanted to assure customers it was “working around the clock to rectify the issue in a safe and controlled manner as soon as possible”.

APA Group networks group executive John Ferguson said priority was being given to Whyalla Hospital to supply it for as long as possible.

“The APA Group … is working to minimise the interruption and maintain supply to the Whyalla Hospital for as long as possible,” he said.

“All gas consumers are asked to turn off their gas supply valve at their meter.

“For the safety of the general public and APA workers, during this interruption it is stressed that gas consumers do not attempt to connect natural gas appliances to alternative gas supplies such as LPG bottled gas.

“To do so may result in a fire or explosion.”

Geoscience Australia data shows there was a 2.1 magnitude earth tremor with an epicentre about 10km from where the leak was reported about 5.20am on Friday.

It is not yet clear if this might have caused or contributed to the leak.

Operations at Nyrstar at Port Pirie have also been affected by the incident.

A Nyrstar spokeswoman said about 75 per cent of the site was already wound down for scheduled plant maintenance prior to the gas leak, but now all production had ceased.

She said there had been no impact on employment as workers had been tasked with maintenance duties.

It is not yet known when supplies will be restored.

APA Group representatives will be visiting all gas-connected properties to ensure gas meters are turned off prior to re-establishing supply and re-lighting appliances.

Anyone who finds themselves without gas should leave their gas meter turned off until an APA Group representative calls to turn gas back on.

For further information, residents can be make inquiries through the APA Group Natural Gas Emergency Hotline on 1800 898 220.

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Ruptured pipeline cuts gas supplies to Whyalla, Port Pirie