Monitor The
Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs
www.themonitor.com.au
Phone (08) 8671 2683
Fax (08) 8671 2843
Vol. 8 Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Woomera open for mining The Commonwealth Government has agreed to lift a ban on exploration in the Woomera Prohibited Area, a potential billion dollar new mining area for SA. Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson, SA Premier Mike Rann and Federal Defence Minister Stephen Smith at Woomera with a F18 jet in the background. Photo courtesy of The Advertiser
T
Far North future more secure he prohibited military area of Woomera, South opments, including iron ore, gold and uranium projects Hawke and his review team saying the report struck a balance Australia, is to be opened up for mining, giving the would be possible over the next decade,” said Mr Ferguson. between maintaining national security and developing national The Ministers said that under the new arrangements, De- economic interests. Far North Area an assured future.
The Ministers for Defence, Stephen Smith and Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson announced the plan last week when releasing the final report into a review of the future management and use of the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA). The review was undertaken by former Secretary of Defence, Allan Hawke. “As a result of the review, a new management framework will be introduced to increase use of the Woomera Prohibited Area in Australia’s national interest by better balancing national security and economic considerations,” Mr Smith said. “The Woomera Prohibited Area has great economic potential, with estimates that more than $35 billion of devel-
fence would remain the primary user of the WPA but it would be divided into green, amber and red zones, signifying differing levels of access to non-Defence users. They said a new joint Commonwealth/South Australian Government coordination office would be set up to finalise the financial, legislative and regulatory arrangements for the new management framework. A six month moratorium on applications for access to the WPA would be imposed to allow the new office to develop the necessary protocols although some users close to settling arrangements or with a longstanding presence in the WPA, may be allowed in earlier. Mr Smith and Mr Ferguson acknowledged the work of Dr
Mr Bill Boehm Administrator of Roxby Council welcomed the possibility of further mining development within the WPA. “Strategically Roxby Downs is well placed to perform as an important administrative and support centre for any such local expansion given the high quality of township and facilities that currently exist and which would expand in a controlled manner should BHP Billiton Olympic Dam Mine expansion proceed. “Whilst there are obvious issues associated under the Roxby Downs Indenture that would need to be addressed by the State Government and BHP Billiton, Council and the Community see Roxby as an important Economic Hub for the Far North. Any extension of mining in the WPA would seem to be imminently compatible with this strategic view,” said Mr. Boehm.
Building great men. MelindaParentCreative5064
At St Peter’s College every boy is celebrated and honoured for his uniqueness. To achieve this, we believe in an holistic approach to education: we are educating minds, building healthy bodies and nourishing spirits. None of these things can happen in isolation. Boys who are supported in this way grow to become great men who are instinctively good and gentle. They are young men who can look you in the eye and know what matters and who will grow to become good fathers, husbands and citizens. Whether in the classroom or outside it, the sum total of a Saints education is a transforming experience. Let us show you how.
Open Morning Tuesday 31 May at 9:15am Please contact Mr Ian Munro on 8130 3200 to confirm your place. Individual appointments always welcome. St Peter’s College St Peters, South Australia 5069 T. +61 8 8130 3200 F. +61 8 8362 16 54 E. admissions@stpeters.sa.edu.au W. www.stpeters.sa.edu.au