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Vol. 8 Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Vandalism
ABOVE: A very annoyed and frustrated Sergeant Paxton and inset, some of the nine vehicles damaged in Sundays senseless acts of vandalism.
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By Millie Thomas
hether it be licence infringements or drunken weekend antics, the Roxby Downs Police always seem to have some sort of significant criminal activity to deal with. However, on Sunday May 1 between 2:00am and 3:00am an indisputably sensless act of vandalismoccurred. Nine vehicles, which were parked on ‘the lot’, an area commonly used for privately selling cars were vandalised, with all of the windscreens smashed to varying degrees of damage. The Monitor spoke with local law enforcement, and some of the victims in this incident. “Persons returning from a party at the Motocross Track are believed to have committed these offences,” stated Sergeant Stuart Paxton, Officer in Charge at Roxby Downs Police Station. “Witnesses have identified a suspect and enquiries are continuing into the offences. Damage is estimated at about $4,000.” The person involved in this incident is facing serious charges to the tune of Property Damage to a motor vehicle under the Criminal Law Consolidation Act by nine counts. It is believed they were also under the influence of alcohol. “There is strong suspicion of intoxication and the apparent eviction from the party fuelling their anger, coupled with pure disregard for other people’s property,” said Sgt Paxton. “They have no respect for other people’s property or their community. “I encourage the public, if you know anything about this matter that has
financially affected nine families in Roxby Downs please report what you know to the Police.” Angus Foster was trying to sell his red VS Commodore on the lot and is at a loss as to why somebody would intentionally ruin other people’s property. “The Roxby cops gave me a call yesterday morning they just said are you aware that your car has been smashed, and I just told them that I was in Adelaide and knew nothing about it,” he said. “I was pretty angry. But, I suppose, you get that. “I would not have a clue why anybody would do it. “A new windscreen is going to cost around $250. I’ll have to pay for it anyway, because I have to sell the car, that’s why it’s on the lot.” Greg Scriven was also trying to sell his VX Commodore and couldn’t fathom why somebody would do this in such a small and usually trustworthy community. “They (the police) just said that there was a heap of cars damaged, it was not very nice to wake up to,” he said. “I had a lot of anger actually. I’ve actually just moved to Moonta and I was in the process of moving and then this happened. “They’re brainless, very stupid. I don’t know what would posses someone to go and do that to so many people’s property. “In a small town like this you should be able to leave you car there. We used to be able to leave our keys in the ignition, but you can’t do that up here now. “I’m just really disappointed that someone could go and do that to a lot of people in such a small town.”
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SA hopeful of mining in Woomera zone
OUTH Australian Premier Mike Rann says he’s hopeful of a decision soon from the Federal Government to unlock the mineral wealth in the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA). Mr Rann said the area of the state’s north-west, which is bigger than England, offered enormous potential for mining development. He said the area was estimated to contain about 62 per cent of Australia’s known copper deposits and about 78 per cent of the nation’s uranium. “In fact, it’s estimated that around $35 billion worth of resources could be unlocked and opened up to mining in the Woomera Prohibited Area,” Mr Rann told the South Australian Resources and Energy Investment Conference in Adelaide today. “The South Australian Government has been strongly ad-
vocating for the Commonwealth to provide more certainty and clarity in the rules for exploring and developing mines within the prohibited area. “I am very hopeful of an imminent major announcement on this issue. “This will be a huge boost for our state. “It will give our economy the momentum and jolt to drive further development in the future.” The WPA covers 127,000 square kilometres of sparsely populated land. It is administered by the federal department of defence and is designated under Commonwealth legislation for military test activities. The area is also used for nonmilitary test programs including rocket trials and astronomical observations. Mr Rann also told the conference that increased investment exploration across South Aus-
tralia was now translating into increased exports and production. In the previous financial year, the value of SA’s mineral exports reached $2.85 billion, more than double the figure in 2002, when the Labor government came to power. “Indeed, the minerals sector is now the largest single contributor to our state’s exports, accounting for 35 per cent, which is almost as much as our agriculture, food and wine sectors combined,” the Premier said. “What is especially pleasing in the latest export figures is confirmation that, as a result of the Government’s targeted campaigns, our exports to India rose by 74 per cent and exports to China are up 61 per cent. “These results are largely due to the growth in our minerals exports and the signs for continued growth in our mining sector remain strong.”