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Volume 8, Wednesday, December 7, 2011
$27.3 million plan for Roxby Village
O
Vanessa Switala reports on first step in expansion
n Thursday last week, BHP Billiton submitted an ‘Application for Category 3 Development’ with Roxby Downs Council, right on the heels of the Government approval for the new Indenture. The application includes plans for 298 additional rooms in Roxby Town Village together with other extensions and infrastructure. The Development Application report for Roxby Village extensions states the estimated development cost is $27.3 million. The report also provides supporting information for the proposed development application in relation to the significant expansion of the Roxby Village, located between Burgoyne Street and Olympic Way. The extension will include 298 additional rooms, ensuite accommodation, rooms in blocks of 12, a recreation room and continental breakfast mess, six laundry blocks, a store, associated roadways, car parking and storm water drainage and all associated infrastructure and services required for the addition new buildings. Major extensions to the village’s existing kitchen and dining facilities, (Mess building) roadway modifications and service infrastructure modifications in the vicinity of the existing
Mess building are also included. Conversion of the existing stormwater retention area into a detention basin and associated outlet drain to and along Olympic Dam is included in the proposal together with a multipurpose court and gym to be constructed on an open space area to the south of the Mess building. The proposed development is based on the same principle as that used in the 2006 expansion of the village with standard, 12 room accommodation blocks. BHP Billiton prefers the appearance of the proposed buildings to be similar to the existing structures, with four building modules. However, some blocks will have fewer rooms and another to half size to preserve mature native trees. There will also be four to cater for disabled access. All buildings will be of a transportable design. The proposed laundry blocks will be identical to those constructed in the 2006 expansion. Existing services that will be utilised include two major Council owned storm water drains, two sewers, storm water drainage, a major water main, high voltage power line and a gas main. The layout also considers another 152 car parking spaces required for the additional accommodation.
In total the expanded Roxby Village will have 470 rooms with 353 car parking spaces available. BHP Billiton has explained that not all workers will need a parking space as they may be employed on a fly-in, fly-out basis. New bus services, access for emergency vehicles and higher fencing to neighboring properties are all addressed in the application to Council. The current Mess building will be expanded to cater for the increased population and a multi-purpose court and small gymnasium building will be established to the south of the recreation building. Workers will have 24 hour access to the ‘recreation hall’ and ‘Continental Breakfast Mess’ for tea and coffee however, security doors would restrict access to the breakfast area. The application states all accommodation buildings and the recreation hall will be internally wired for ‘Pay TV’ services. Landscaping of the new area will consist of native species. “The site is of importance to the whole community, being located within the town core and adjacent to the main entrance road into the town and town centre,” BHP Billiton states in its application. The land is now vacant, full of dead myall trees and disposed litter. BHP Billiton also indicated the land is used for ‘unacceptable’ motor
bike riding. The new accommodation is scheduled to be completed and ready for occupancy by the end of 2012. Another statement made in the application claims that, “The development is essential to meet the future accommodation needs of the Olympic Dam operation. The impacts of the promised development will be overwhelmingly positive,” the application states. Further to that, a BHP Billiton spokesperson stated; “In October, the BHP Billiton Board approved $1.2billion in pre-commitment funding the purchase of long lead items such as trucks, infrastructure development including accommodation units, and early site works for the first phase of the expansion Project. “The application to council is part of this preparatory work.” The application can be examined at the offices of the Council located on Richardson Place. Anyone who wishes to may make relevant submissions in writing should forward them to: The Administrator, PO box 124, Roxby Downs by no later than December 14. Each person making a submission should indicate whether they wish to appear personally or be represented by another party before the Council in support of the submission.
Olympic Dam expansion approved T
By Vanessa Switala
he State Parliament and Upper House last week approved legislation for BHP Billiton’s $30 billion Olympic Dam expansion. After more than 30 hours of debate on Tuesday, November 29, Parliament ratified the Roxby Downs Indenture Act unlocking BHP Billiton’s $1.2 billion for initial works and equipment for the project. The indenture approval will allow $525 million of BHP Billiton’s pre-approved funding to be spent across South Australia in the next six months to purchase items such as trucks and start site work. The Legislation returned to the House of Assembly last Thursday for final approval. Despite such legislation receiving bi-partisan support , it was suspected proposed amendments
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made by Greens Leader, Mark Parnell, would slow the approval of the Bill until next year. Minister for Mineral Resources, Tom Koutsantonis said the Bill’s passage through Parliament was a momentous occasion for South Australia as the State will undoubtedly benefit from what will become the world’s largest open cut mine. He said, “This really is a game changer for our state; this is the moment future generations will look back on and say, ‘that was the time South Australia took its rightful place amongst the giants of mining.’” Mr Koutsantonis added that the world’s mining companies are now looking at South Australia as a major player in the resources market.
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PAGEANT FUN: Pam Evans, Teresa Baddeley, Bevan Fernandez and Sandy Sumsion The Rotary Clowns brought fun and joy to the 2011 Christmas Pageant.
See all the fun of the pageant on pages 22 and 23 5/12/2011 3:33:56 PM