MATTERS OF INTEREST

IRON KNOB

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:24): I rise today to draw to the attention of members a particular feature of my visit last week to Whyalla, Iron Knob, Ceduna and the Yalata Aboriginal community. While in Iron Knob, I had the pleasure of meeting with representatives of the local community, the Progress Association and the Outback Communities Authority. I acknowledge Iron Knob Progress Association members Mr Wal Patton, Mr Brian Armstrong and Mr Bryan Lock, who were kind enough to tell me about their community, about issues that are presently of concern and about their aspirations for the future.

With a population of 199, according to the 2006 census, Iron Knob represents a fascinating piece of South Australian history. Some members may not be aware that the genesis of the Australian steel industry we know today centred on Iron Knob. This was the first iron ore mine in Australia, and we know that mining operations began there in 1880. Consider this: two years before Federation, BHP commenced operations at Iron Knob, extracting ironstone to use as flux for smelting silver-lead at Port Pirie.

It is worth noting that, until the 1960s, all BHP's operations at Whyalla, Port Pirie, Newcastle and Port Kembla were supplied with Iron Knob ore, some 125 million tonnes of ore, in fact. Until the discovery of ore in the Pilbara, Iron Knob was considered the largest iron reserve in the country. We all know what ensued from those discoveries in Western Australia and from changes in technology and work practices in mining.

By 1998, the mine had closed and the impact on the town's population, services and infrastructure was exactly what one would expect. We have seen these instances before. What is evident today, however, is a small but forward-looking community, whose prospects may yet come alive again with the expansion of the Olympic Dam project. This expansion will bring new opportunities and new challenges for the people of Iron Knob, and that is what my remarks today are all about.

As I travel around the state, it continues to give me great pleasure to meet our community representatives. I am particularly impressed with the way the Iron Knob Progress Association is looking towards the opportunities and challenges that the future will bring. Not only are its people anticipating the maintenance of services, facilities and infrastructure, but they are looking to augment these so as to improve the lives of residents, new workers, visitors and tourists alike.

I can give you one instance of this right now. Following my meeting with the Outback Communities Authority, I had the honour of opening the town's newly enhanced community park in the presence of an enthusiastic community contingent and Ms Lyn Breuer MP (the member for Giles). The park now comprises landscaped areas with picnic tables and seating, a new playground, outdoor gym equipment and an excellent bush kitchen. These features certainly complement the adjacent campsite, which has also been upgraded.

I should also add that improvements to existing facilities were funded by the Department of Planning and Local Government—$32,800; the Outback Communities Authority—$18,600; Community Benefit SA—$10,500; the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Local Government and Regional Development—$10,000; and the Office for Recreation and Sport—$6,000.

The park is now an attractive meeting place for locals and members of surrounding communities alike. It provides opportunities for social interaction and promotes healthy lifestyles. However, it is abundantly clear to me that, without volunteers of the calibre of Bryan Lock, Brian Armstrong and Wal Patton, their colleagues in the Iron Knob Progress Association and the community, these improvements might not have been achieved or achieved to the same degree.

What I saw that day was evidence of the hard work and dedication of a community that clearly pulls together. That is why I want to salute the progress association and the community as a whole on completing a project that adds to the quality of life right now and into the future. It is yet another good news story from our regions.

In closing, I would like to repeat for the benefit of those present the vision statement that informs the Iron Knob Community Plan 2009-12: 'A vibrant community, proud of its past and cohesive in securing its future potential.' For me, that says it all. On that note, I commend the residents of Iron Knob, congratulate them on their achievements and wish them all the very best indeed as they continue to work towards securing the future potential of their town.