Andamooka We must community
fight it!
By Millie Thomas
R
emote communities across South Australia have been hit hard this year. The sudden introduction of an additional electricity tariff, skyrocketing power bills up to 50% more than their normal bill has left many residents scratching their heads.
Lyn Breuer MP
Member for Giles
The change in price has been linked with an increase in the price of oil, directly affecting diesel and hence transportation and operation of generators (and the like) costs. As previously reported in The Monitor, the change came in on March 7. The 13 towns have been subjected to this sudden change because they are situated ‘off the state electricity grid’ and regionally local towns Andamooka and Coober Pedy are amongst those affected. Peter Allen, Chairperson of Andamooka Progress Opal Miners Association (APOMA), said the fight will continue. “We’re still tying to get the decision reversed,” said Mr Allen. “We’ve kicked in $5000 towards the traders fighting fund to deal with this with professionals from Adelaide, that’s my understanding. “At the moment we’re just being met with bureaucracy which is fine because that is understandable however, all we can do now is continue to fight. “We’re just awaiting decisions by others as to how we push it. I mean we’re part of the push along with the other 12 communities but it’s been flag shipped by Coober Pedy because they have the biggest numbers of all the communities and the best resources.” A petition has also been sent out to the various communities, but Mr Allen pointed out that all has been relatively quiet so far. “We’ve made them (the other communities) aware of it and we’ve passed the petition to all of the communities, but we’ve had no response,” said Mr Allen. “That doesn’t mean that there’s ‘no response’ we’ve got almost 300 signatures on the petition so far from Andamooka and I believe Coober Pedy has over 1500 so that petition will hit the chambers of the hallowed halls of government in early May. “What can we do about it other than fight the fight?” In a case of David and Goliath, Mr Allen is optimistic that they will be given a fair chance, and with the right help may be able to overcome the tariff. “I’d like to think that it’s a
Working with the community, For the community.
50-50 deal,” he said. “We wouldn’t have chucked $5000 at a fighting fund if we thought it was money that was going to be wasted. You’ve still got to do it.” However, a lack of apparent interest from Labor MP Lyn Breuer has churned the waters with APOMA. “Interesting to note The Advertiser with an article about the speaker prepared to argue in court against the factory at Point Lowly,” started Mr Allen, “she is very quiet in regards to power price issues but vocal with Point Lowly where her voting base resides. “She’s working hard for her constituents in Whyalla,” said Mr Allen. “In that article she said she’s prepared to argue in Caucus, however she is not prepared to go in and argue in Caucus for the power price issue.” Rowan Ramsey, Liberal MP, however has been vocally outraged by the tariff, and has offered his support to both the communities and Ms Breuer. “Businesses in Coober Pedy, Andamooka, Marree, Oodnadatta and Marla, along with another eight communities, are facing power hikes up to almost 100% and along with recent decisions on funding for country hospitals and lack of support for flood damage throughout regional and remote South Australia is yet another example of the State G over nment ’s Adel aide-only approach to the state,” he said. “Already people living in outback and remote areas pay more for everyday living costs than other South Australians and this increase will add further to the costs of food, fuel and the necessities of life. “The Government is prepared to put millions into subsidies power generation in remote aboriginal communities yet will not provide the same assistance to mixed communities like Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta, which have a very significant indigenous population. “State Minister O’Brien has defended the decision saying people choose to live in the area, and that is right, but what is the alternative, shut down these communities entirely? It is difficult to believe he has any understanding of the value of the Australian Outback as a tourist destination to the nation. These towns provide the essential services for the industry. “I will be making sure this issue is raised in the Federal Parliament as soon as possible and will be pressing State Member Lyn Breuer, as a member of the Government and Speaker in the Parliament to have some influence with her colleagues in this matter and I will do anything I can do to assist her.” Ms Breuer was asked for comment, but had not provided one at time of print.
Outback’s priorities for the future P eople who live and work in the Outback are being encouraged to have their say about the Outback Communities Authority’s (OCA’s) strategies and priorities for the future.
OCA Chair Bill McIntosh says the OCA Board recently endorsed its draft Strategic Management Plan, including a business plan and budget, meaning they’re ready for broad community consultation. “This is the first opportunity for Outback residents to have their say about the OCA’s proposed direction and priorities,” Mr McIntosh says. “These documents explain how we propose to allocate our resources to support communities, helping to improve quality of life in the outback.” “The drafts have been prepared using research about remote communities and local ideas so this broad consultation will help us make sure our resources are being used fairly, equitably and in the most efficient way possible,” he said. Mr McIntosh emphasized that to improve quality of life; a core part of the OCA’s business will be promoting improvements in the management and standard of services and facilities in the region. “To achieve that, importantly we will also be building and maintaining
relationships with outback people, so we can make clear the views, interests and aspirations of outback communities in our dealings with others. “The OCA is also keen to find new ways to assist outback people and is particularly interested in promoting the use of new, environmentally friendly technologies, including water quality treatment,” he said. Mr McIntosh says partnership arrangements and assistance for communities large and small will continue to be managed through the Community Affairs Resourcing and Management (CARM) agreement process. A letter or email, copy of the draft Plan and details of how to respond is being sent to progress associations, as well as residents and land holders who have already indicated that they would like to be contacted directly about consultation opportunities. People in the Outback can also provide their comments until 24 May 2011 by completing an online version of the feedback form, available on the OCA website at www.oca.sa.gov.au or by contacting the OCA on 1800 640 542. The OCA is also inviting people to register their details so they can keep in touch about issues relevant to them. Registration is online or by phoning the OCA office.
Andamooka Market Day 23rd April 2011 Andamooka Town Hall Everyone Welcome! Free entry to public and an Alex Mendelssohn oil painting door prize Market Stall: $5.00 Art Exhibition: $10.00
For appointments call Lyn’s office Phone: 8645 7800 Fax: 8645 0713 Email: giles@parliament.sa.gov.au Westland Shopping Centre Whyalla Norrie, SA 5608 Page 16 – Wednesday, April 20, 2011
newsletter
Please call APOMA for further details 8672 7152
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