ANDAMOOKA

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:45): My question is to the Minister for State/Local Government Relations. Can the minister advise the chamber of any recent progress in the new governance arrangements for Andamooka?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:46): Andamooka is a unique township, evolving from being solely a collective of opal miners to a large community that supports the mining industry, tourism, local government, a school and other services. Until now, responsibility for the delivery of local management and services has fallen to the volunteers who make up the Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners Association.

The proposed expansion of the Olympic Dam mining project has also created an expectation that the township will attract new residents seeking accommodation and work outside Roxby Downs. Increasing tourism numbers to the region are also placing pressure on the volunteers to deliver local services and infrastructure to meet the demands. Given the rapidly changing situation in Andamooka, the Outback Communities Authority, with my support, has established the Andamooka Town Management Committee to provide a local presence that can guide the expected future growth in Andamooka.

Members might recall that the Andamooka Town Management Committee was established in January 2012. Reporting directly and responsible to the authority for its decisions, the ATMC will cease operations on 30 June 2013. A review will be carried out to assess whether the ATMC will continue beyond that date. The ATMC comprises five persons: Mrs Cecilia Woolford, Chairperson; Mr Peter Allen, an APOMA representative; Mr Robert Hancock, an APOMA representative; Ms Jennifer Cleary, an Outback Community Authority Board member; and Mr Mark Sutton, the General Manager of the OCA.

Mrs Woolford's appointment is supported by the authority and the APOMA. Ms Woolford has experience as chair and board member of a number of statutory and non-government boards at the state and national level, including the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board and the Natural Resources Management Council Volunteer Committee. She possesses the skills necessary, particularly in the areas of governance, managing diverse opinions, engaging with people, communication and delivering on planned outcomes.

In consultation with the Andamooka community, the ATMC has developed the Andamooka Community Plan that sets out its strategic objectives over the next three years and its 2012-13 financial plan. I am also very pleased to advise that a community administrator, Ms Deborah Allen, has been appointed to undertake, on the ATMC's behalf, the development and management of community development, business, environmental and essential services and programs. Ms Allen is located in Andamooka. I wish Ms Allen and the ATMC all the best in their future endeavours and work ahead.