The Monitor Newspaper for 29th February 2012

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Volume 9, Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Premier commits to Roxby Downs

By Millie Thomas and Vanessa Switala

P

remier Jay Weatherill travelled to Roxby Downs on Sunday for the ninth annual Property Council of Australia’s Invest SA conference. The two-day conference saw 130 property investors visit Roxby Downs where they attended a dinner on Sunday night and a closed business session on Monday, both in the Roxby Leisure Auditorium. Mr Weatherill was one of the key note speakers for the conference, along with South Australian Olympic Dam Task Force Chair Bruce Carter, Economic Development Board Chair Raymond Spencer and Real Estate Australia UBS Managing Director Tim Church. While talking with The Monitor Mr Weatherill said the expansion of Olympic Dam is the most significant single project in South Australia’s history. “It’s not just a mine, it is an opportunity to transform our State,” he said. Mr Weatherill said Olympic Dam already contributes $1.7 billion a year to the State’s economy with the expanded project expected to increase that annual contribution to South Australia’s GSP (Gross State Product) by $6.9 billion to $8.6 billion. He also stated BHP Billiton estimates the expansion will generate 6,000 new jobs during construction with a further 4,000 full time positions at the open pit mine with another 15,000 indirect new jobs. Mr Weatherill explained, “If BHP Billiton’s full investment goes ahead, and Olympic Dam becomes all that we hope it will, that alone will be of tremendous benefit to our State in terms of exports, jobs and new infrastructure, road, rail, power lines and other facilities that will create a lasting legacy for future generations of South Australians”. The Premier said the South Australian Government has already invested in the social infrastructure of Roxby Downs with hospital facilities, schools, roads and the new police station. “As Roxby Downs grows in population, we will continue our commitment to investing in appropriate levels of infrastructure to support

the community. “As part of the indenture, we are also committed to establishing a local council for Roxby Downs once the agreed population or production triggers are reached, so that the residents will have a greater responsibility for their own future,” he added. During his speech, Mr Weatherill referred to Governor His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce’s (AC CSC RANR) announcement last week, which outlined seven primary areas of focus the Government has identified for action in the future. These areas of focus include; clean, green food industry, the mining boom and its benefits, advanced manufacturing, a vibrant city, safe and active neighbourhoods, affordable living and early childhood. Mr Weatherill touched on in his address to investors on Sunday night, and pinpointed as a highlight of his career as Premier so far. “It’s setting out our strategic agenda for the next few years, but also looking forward to the next decade. “An essential one (strategy) is how we share the benefits of the mining boom with the whole of South Australia, that’s an essential priority for us and so I think settling those and being able to lay them out in the Governor’s speech last Tuesday was probably the biggest highlight for me.” Mr Weatherill added in grasping benefits and a flow-on effect from the expansion of Olympic Dam, the rest of the South Australian economy will be influenced. The strategy surrounding mining and exploration addressed the recently opened Woomera Prohibited Area and obligations to descendants of the ‘first Australians’. The Governor’s speech announced the Government will establish a bipartisan committee to explore the potential of a ‘Future Fund’, and a new legislation to replace the Aboriginal Heritage Act, putting Aboriginal people at the forefront of decisions about their own cultural heritage. When asked if South Australia will become more reliant on mining than other industries Mr. Weatherill reinforced the Government’s intention to create a balanced economy that does

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“The challenge will be how to seize this oncein-a-generation opportunity in a way that locks in the benefits for all South Australians and how we can best integrate the mining sector into other elements of our economy such as advanced manufacturing, innovation and cleantech industries.” Continued on page 2...

Premier Jay Weatherill conveyed his vision for South Australia at Sunday night’s dinner in Roxby Downs.

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not rely overly on one sector. He said mining, advanced manufacturing, defence industries and food industries are all important in ensuring South Australia maintains sustainable economic growth into the future. “Having said that, this Government does support mining as there is enormous potential to create jobs and wealth from the abundance of world-class ore bodies within our State.

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