Ministerial Statement

Leigh Creek

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:23): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I rise today to speak about the future of Leigh Creek and the communities that rely on the services provided by that town. On 13 October 2015, the Premier announced that the state government had opened a request for information process inviting industries and businesses to formally put their ideas forward to the government to be considered. Former South Australian education and tourism minister, Dr Jane Lomax-Smith, was appointed to oversee the process. Dr Lomax-Smith's experience in the education and tourism portfolios made her a natural fit for this important role.

The request for information process concluded on 1 February, and the state government received more than 30 responses from people and organisations interested in ensuring a sustainable future for Leigh Creek. Yesterday, I was in Leigh Creek to speak to the community about the result of this process and the future of the area. I was pleased to be able to announce that the state government will keep Leigh Creek open for business to provide services for people both in the town and surrounding communities.

The state government continues to negotiate with Alinta, with the intention that the Outback Communities Authority (OCA) will take over management of Leigh Creek from 1 January 2017, with essential services and buildings to be maintained, including those for commercial use, such as the caravan park and tavern, whilst the buildings are offered through an expression of interest process to operators in the second half of 2016.

Maintenance of essential town services and assets include water, wastewater, roads, aerodrome and municipal services, such as the rubbish dump, footpaths, parks, gardens, barbecues, public toilets, street lighting and other recreational facilities in the town including the swimming pool, ovals, gymnasium, and sports stadium. Current Leigh Creek residents will be encouraged to stay in the town with the intention of selling housing to new residents by 1 January 2018. Of the current housing stock, some dwellings are intended to be kept and upgraded for current use; other dwellings will be retained for possible potential future use and, depending on future demand, there will be a progressive program to demolish unrequired dwellings.

At this stage, the planned demolition of dwellings is intended to be conducted over a three-year period, with annual reviews undertaken to account for any progress or development in the region and to determine if additional demolition is required. The interest shown in the commercial potential of Leigh Creek is welcome and I am pleased that a number of divergent industries submitted proposals to the request for information process.

Ideas submitted through the request for information process include a range of proposals for commercial and industrial use of the mine site, use of the area's natural mineral and renewable energy resources, as well as proposals to use the town's existing infrastructure for education, training and the arts. Several submissions were received from members of the Leigh Creek community who are keen to preserve the town's existing infrastructure and ensure it continues to service the region well into the future.

Other proposals include the future use of Leigh Creek's tourism facilities, such as the caravan park and the tavern. With quality existing assets and infrastructure, surrounded by natural wonders and an area that is rich in Aboriginal culture, it has the potential to become a hub for services for the Flinders Ranges. The Leigh Creek area, while well known as a coalmining town, has the potential to support new resource developments. The area continues to be explored for a range of minerals including copper, gold, lead, zinc, silver, magnesium, magnesite and uranium.

Many of the recommendations from the RFI are already being worked upon. The South Australian Tourism Commission has given greater prominence to the town's amenities in its latest marketing brochure and online material. DPTI has installed road signs that previously said Copley and Leigh Creek, and they now have indications that Copley and Leigh Creek are both open for business.

The South Australian Tourism Commission and DECD have supported a Penguin Random House series book launch set in Farina and Leigh Creek recently. The event had positive Sunrise television coverage and was associated with a marketing and media flight over the region. Negotiations have commenced with the SA Film Corporation and independent filmmakers regarding greater use of the region for filming locations. Registration for an RV friendly town is underway and there has been a negotiated university field trip to Leigh Creek, with an economic impact locally of $21,050.

We have also announced our intention to appoint a transition manager to develop commercial and marketing opportunities for Leigh Creek, and the surrounding communities. We believe there is a strong future for the Leigh Creek region and are working hard with Alinta Energy, its workers and the entire community, surrounding communities, and interested parties to realise a future and we will be closely considering the request for information report and our ongoing responses.