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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-05-12 Daily Xml
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OLYMPIC DAM

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (15:11): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, as Minister for Mineral Resources Development, a question about the proposed expansion of Olympic Dam.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: On 1 May—May Day, as you would know Mr President: the feast of St Joseph the worker—BHP Billiton released its long awaited environmental impact statement for the expansion of Olympic Dam at Roxby Downs. It is a vast document that covers everything from the expansion of the mine itself to transport, energy and water issues created by what is expected to be the world's largest open cut mine.

Importantly for our state, the project will generate tens of thousands of jobs and massive income. The 4,000 page environmental impact statement is the result of five years' work by hundreds of people working at a cost to BHP Billiton of $25 million. I understand that the South Australian government has also been working on a companion document that is expected to have direct consequences for the residents of Roxby Downs and nearby Andamooka. My questions are:

1. Can the minister inform the council about the Roxby Downs Development Plan Amendment, which was also put out for public consultation on the same day as the EIS?

2. What can the people of Roxby Downs do to contribute to the rezoning process that will be required to prepare the township and the surrounding countryside for the massive expansion envisaged by BHP Billiton?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:13): I thank the honourable member for his very important questions. The long awaited environmental impact statement for the Olympic Dam expansion has been made available for public consultation for an extended 14 week period. I notice that the Greens have managed to respond within an hour. I know the that Hon. Mr Parnell was particularly keen that it be extended.

The Olympic Dam expansion EIS prepared by BHP Billiton describes the project and why it is needed as well as the potential environmental, social, cultural and economic issues that might arise during the project's construction, operation and eventual closure. Elements of the Olympic Dam expansion are subject to the legislation of three jurisdictions: South Australia, the Northern Territory and the commonwealth.

As the majority of operations associated with the Olympic Dam mine are located in South Australia, the Rann Labor government is coordinating the public submission process for all jurisdictions. Copies of the EIS can be viewed in South Australia at numerous locations, including the Department of Planning and Local Government, the State Library, the libraries of the three universities, local council offices in the relevant areas, and the Conservation Council of South Australia. Copies can also be found online at www.olympicdameis.sa.gov.au, while free stakeholder kits are available through the Department of Planning and Local Government and the Roxby Downs, Port Augusta and Whyalla councils.

Public and government agency submissions can be lodged with the Department of Planning and Local Government during the consultation period until a 5pm, 7 August 2009 deadline. These submissions will be made available to the South Australian, Northern Territory and federal governments and forwarded to BHP Billiton. They can then be incorporated by BHP Billiton in a response document or supplementary EIS, which is required as part of the major development assessment process.

The consultative process for the EIS is just one element of the public participation being undertaken by this government. As the honourable member pointed out in his question, the state government has also been working on a development plan amendment for Roxby Downs and nearby environs. The expansion of BHP Billiton's activities at Olympic Dam is expected to place increasing pressure on the Roxby Downs township and surrounding areas as the population surges from 4,500 to more than 10,000 residents.

The extensive DPA seeks to manage the growing demand for residential accommodation and associated facilities to support such a strong surge in population. Non-resident workers servicing the Olympic Dam mine will also require temporary accommodation for up to 10,000 people at a new mining settlement at Hiltaba, located 16 kilometres east of Roxby Downs. A new airport to replace the existing facility is also proposed as part of the mine expansion, and this project has been accommodated within the proposed rezoning across Andamooka Road from the Hiltaba township.

It is crucial to the future development of Roxby Downs and the proposed temporary settlement along Andamooka Road that the zoning and development policies provide appropriate guidance to developers and planners. The government is now seeking feedback from the public on this proposed rezoning.

Written submissions on the development plan amendment will be received until 5pm on Friday 7 August 2009, which is concurrent with submissions being sought on the environmental impact statement prepared by BHP Billiton. A public meeting allowing people to speak to their submissions is to be held in Roxby Downs on Tuesday 8 September, at a different time, I believe, to the public meeting on the EIS. Details of the time and venue will be advertised in local newspapers and on the Department of Planning and Local Government website.

Submissions from the public, local government, government agencies and community and industry groups are to be considered by the independent Development Policy Advisory Committee (DPAC) that will advise the minister on the final form of the DPA. It is important that the DPA process is not overshadowed by the EIS.

I urge the people of Roxby Downs and the surrounding areas to track down a copy of the DPA document and make sure their views are aired through a submission. Often, the planning process can be improved through suggestions from members of the public, and I encourage anyone who has a view about the rezoning to lodge a submission and attend the town hall meeting in Roxby Downs. After all, it is the people of Roxby Downs and Andamooka who will need to live in that region and, obviously, it is important that they have a say on this development plan amendment on the future of their region.

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