House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-27 Daily Xml

Contents

CALLINGTON

Mr GOLDSWORTHY (Kavel) (15:29): I, like all members in this place, attend many community events. I had the pleasure and honour recently to attend and open the 12th Annual Callington Show. I can tell the house that I have attended each and every one of those 12 shows since they commenced in 2002. It is a magnificent show and community event. It gets bigger and better every year and we have seen the number of people attending the show increase year on year.

Callington is a relatively small community in the Adelaide Hills; however, it is a very strong community. It has a very strong community spirit and a very strong sense of community. A recent shining example of that is the resilience that the Callington community showed in relation to a proposal from a private company to build a wastewater treatment plant in quite close proximity to the township. The Callington community had real issues in relation to the plan concerning the construction of this wastewater treatment plant, to the extent that the matter was referred to the ERD Court.

After a number of discussions the company in question, the proponents of the project, withdrew their plans. However, this particular company, Alano Water, made a statement that it was looking to transfer its plans for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant to a site close to the Kanmantoo township. If my memory serves me correctly, the company announced that it would be looking to construct the plant on land that is currently under a mining lease. The private water company has approached the minister's office, and my understanding is that the minister has agreed to certain concessions or conditions that are looking to streamline the development application process.

Be that as it may, the members of the Kanmantoo and surrounding districts community have raised issues with me in relation to not only this proposal but activity within the mine site. The major issue relates to dust. During the winter months when we have rainfall events the dust is not as big an issue. It is still an issue, but it is not as big an issue as in the summer time and the drier months. We are obviously moving into that period of late spring and into summer, and members of the community are contacting me, particularly in relation to the dust issue.

I understand there are other issues in relation to the mining activity. However, I have written to the minister for mineral development and the mining company raising those concerns, particularly in relation to the dust. To their credit, I have a meeting arranged with the mining company in the very short term and I have also put a call into the minister's office, because I would like to discuss the issue face to face with the adviser within the minister's office.

What we are all looking for is a positive outcome. The mine has been in operation for a number of years and a community consultative committee was established a number of years ago to deal with issues as they arise, and I believe it is working quite well. I want to see that process continue. However, when I receive individual representation from a number of concerned members of the community I am duty bound to pursue those. We are all looking for a positive outcome. I think that the whole scenario can coexist; we are looking for the local residents' concerns and issues to be addressed and resolved.