ROXBY DOWNS

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Urban Development and Planning. Will the minister provide the chamber with an update on the planning framework proposed to guide development within Roxby Downs?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:32): As members would appreciate, Roxby Downs is growing quickly and, with the planned expansion of the Olympic Dam mine, the population is expected to more than double from its current 4,000 to 10,000 plus. It is vital that this rapid pace of growth is properly planned.

Following a request from the Roxby Downs council, I initiated a development plan amendment report to address the future development of the Roxby town centre. The development of the town centre must be orderly and accommodate desirable features, such as more enhanced community shopping and commercial and entertainment facilities. As the town centre is currently already experiencing significant development pressures, independent of the decision on the potential Olympic Dam mine expansion, it was important that action was taken to ensure that future development was well managed and a sound and vibrant outcome delivered.

The development plan amendment was released for two months of public consultation from April to June this year, with the consultation process being conducted by the Development Policy Advisory Committee (DPAC). Having now considered the advice of DPAC and the submissions received, I have now approved the development plan amendment, with a number of amendments in response to the submissions received.

Importantly, the development plan amendment provides the land use framework for the orderly and proper expansion of the town centre, reflecting the strong growth being experienced. As part of the government's commitment to the orderly growth of the area, the government has allocated $8 million to expand the Roxby Downs police station. The new facility is to be located in the township, and it will eventually accommodate an additional 23 officers. A further $4.4 million has been allocated by the Rann government to meet the needs of employee housing, transport and location costs in relation to the heightened police presence.

Similarly, in response to the strong growth being experienced by other parts of regional South Australia as a consequence of the mining boom, this government has introduced an updated policy for areas of the state's Far North, the West Coast and the Riverland that do not fall within council boundaries. These recently introduced planning policy changes address waste water treatment issues associated with development in the region, including in Andamooka, and adopt coastal conservation policies to protect the sensitive coastal areas that are not situated within council boundaries along the Eyre Peninsula coastline. These changes are contained in a ministerial development plan amendment which was issued for two months of public consultation from August to October.

The planning changes are an appropriate response to the significant development push being experienced in regional and remote areas of South Australia, including Andamooka which, of course, is just 35 kilometres or so away from Roxby Downs by bitumen road. These changes have led to the introduction of planning controls to ensure that new development has the capacity to accommodate suitable on-site wastewater disposal facilities. They also include minimum site area requirements for dwellings and minimum allotment sizes.

Sensitive coastal land on Eyre Peninsula which is not situated within council boundaries will also be subject to appropriate planning controls. I am awaiting a report from the Development Policy Advisory Committee which is overseeing this public consultation process. That committee is due to report on the development plan amendment, including an assessment of any submissions received as part of the public consultation process. Such actions demonstrate this government's commitment to facilitating economic development within South Australia in a manner that is both well planned and responsive to the concerns of the general public.