ANDAMOOKA

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:55): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about the Andamooka community.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The Andamooka community is assisted largely by volunteers and is finding itself under increasing pressure from the region's unprecedented expansion associated with the growth of the Olympic Dam mine and the opportunities and challenges that presents. Planning needs and additional resources are in high demand, and I am interested to know what assistance the government might be providing to this community. Will the minister inform the council what is being done to assist the Andamooka community with local management?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am pleased to report back on my recent visit to the area during the government's community cabinet meeting at Roxby and Whyalla last week, when I was able to tour the Andamooka area, along with representatives from the Office of State/Local Government Relations, and see for myself the expansion underway there. I also met with representatives of the Outback Areas Community Development Trust and the Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners Association (APOMA), which has since announced a renewed partnership that they say is based on a shared vision for Andamooka to become a leading example of good governance in outback South Australian towns.

The groups are to be commended on their united approach, and the goals they are setting for the Andamooka community. Prior to my visit, the Office of State/Local Government Relations spent time with these groups to discuss region needs, and it has become apparent that a community manager based in Andamooka could play an important part in contributing to APOMA's local direction and advice, aiding in the good governance of the region. I have listened to the needs of the community and also recognise the potential the right appointment can offer by way of secure long-term sustainability for Andamooka.

I understand the great pressures being imposed by the region's rapid expansion and the need for enhanced town planning and the provision of infrastructure and services. It is important to say that the community also recognises the importance of the great opportunities that this expansion presents. For this reason I urged the trust to make the important resource of community manager available within the Andamooka community. Having seen fit to do so, I commend the Outback Areas Community Development Trust for this initiative that plants a seed for this renewed partnership that it is fostering with APOMA.

I am advised that the community manager position should be filled around mid year, utilising state and commonwealth funds. The new community manager will be responsible for working closely with APOMA and other interest groups and individuals, including local volunteers, to develop strategies that best ensure the proper management of local issues. This includes identifying key municipal issues and developing local strategies to ensure good management, infrastructure and services.

I am encouraged that this appointment will prove extremely beneficial for Andamooka as it is experiencing unprecedented growth in what is already the biggest community in the trust area. I was also pleased to visit a number of other regional councils following my visit to Andamooka, Roxby Downs and Whyalla and was delighted to meet with a number of mayors, chief executives and elected members from a variety of councils along the east coast of Eyre Peninsula, including Whyalla, Franklin Harbor, Cleve, Tumby Bay, Lower Eyre Peninsula and Port Lincoln.

A number of topics were discussed with these councils including the government's significant reform agenda for local government. These councils are doing some quite remarkable and wonderful work to assist in the development of the Eyre Peninsula region. It was an absolute pleasure to visit this lovely part of our state and meet such wonderful people and such remarkable, resilient communities with real community commitment.