Leigh Creek Community Views - A summary

Social aspects and opportunities of the closure of Leigh Creek Coal Mine and Port Augusta Power Station Acknowledgement About Leigh Creek

The Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback Community Engagement Team would like to acknowledge and thank the Adnyamathanha people, Traditional Owners and communities; the Leigh Creek Coal Mine and Power Leigh Creek is a well established Station employees; the Alinta Energy Management Teams in Leigh Creek and Port Augusta; the local community with a strong identity. businesses; residents and communities of the Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback; government agencies and A large proportion of its 500 plus residents service providers for their time in engaging with our Team and for their contribution to this report summary. have been living in the town for more than 30 years, some having relocated to Leigh Creek from elsewhere in the region. Leigh Creek also offers an attractive lifestyle, good quality housing, amenity, and a range of essential and non-essential Background services which are greatly valued by the existing Leigh Creek residents and The South Australian Government, through the Department of State Development (DSD), established the population of the surrounding the Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback Community Engagement Team, following Alinta Energy’s decision, regional settlements and stations. on 11 June 2015, to cease operations at the Leigh Creek Coal Mine and Port Augusta Power Station.

This summary documents the outcomes of engagement The Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback Community undertaken with stakeholders and communities and Engagement Team undertook a program of community forms part of the broader South Australian Government engagement from 12 June to 30 September 2015. The Leigh Creek commitment to work closely with these regions as mining purpose of this work was to support affected workers and closes and there is a transition to a post-mining future. communities and to identify options and opportunities for the future of Leigh Creek and the surrounding region. There are approximately 440 Alinta Energy employees Services provided in Leigh Creek that are affected by this decision, as well as many Alinta Energy is committed to supporting their employees buinesses, regional communities and service providers. and the welfare of their families and is providing additional • Water supply from Aroona Dam to • Movie cinema support services to assist during the transition to closure. Leigh Creek, Lyndhurst and Copley • Gymnasium • Wastewater and septic management • Sporting and recreation clubs • Electricity and backup Alinta Energy provides • Daily school bus that services power generators a range of services the regional communities of and manage and • Garbage collection and Nepabunna and Copley dump management maintain Leigh Creek’s • A central shopping precinct infrastructure and facilities • Public toilets, parks and playgrounds where privately owned businesses to a high standard. such as Foodland, Liz’ Open Cut • War Memorial Government agencies and Cafe and Visitors Centre, and the private businesses also • Cemetery Newsagency/Post Office are located operate from the town. • Emergency services • The Leigh Creek Tavern and • Hospital Motel (currently owned and managed by Alinta Energy) • Police Station • Other businesses located in Leigh • Leigh Creek Airport (Aerodrome) Creek include Leigh Creek South • Leigh Creek Area School Motors, Leigh Creek Caravan Park (run by the Progress Association) • Library and the Bottle Recycling Depot • Recreation facilities, including an run by a private owner. Olympic size swimming pool) Community engagement Community feedback - results and findings

A range of meetings have been held The types of meetings included: Results from the community engagement process have confirmed that there is a reliance and dependence throughout the engagment program. • Business owner interviews • Phone interviews on the services currently provided at Leigh Creek in the surrounding region. This particularly applies to the The type of meetings varied to suit and meetings approximately 500 residents living in small communities and on properties between Hawker and Marree. the needs of the community and to • Service provider meetings ensure best possible feedback collation • Community events • Specific interest group meetings The community and stakeholder engagement program has identified the following issues of interest to of the many views and opinions. • One-on-one meetings residents of Leigh Creek, surrounding communities and the region, businesses and other entities.

Education outlying communities such as in the future, the ambulance service Nepabunna, Copley and . requires some form of clinic to be 11 June 2015 In the Leigh Creek Area School, Communities and stakeholders involved available, preferably located at Leigh approximately 65 students are currently These communities are concerned about in the engagement program included: Alinta Energy announced its Flinders Operations Creek, which has close proximity to the from Alinta Energy families. After the future accessibility to education if in Port Augusta (Northern & Playford B Power airstrip. Volunteers from the surrounding • Adnyamathanha Traditional Alinta Energy closes its operations, the daily school bus service does not Stations) and Leigh Creek Coal Mine will not community will also be needed to support it is estimated there will be between continue as some parents and guardians Lands Association (ATLA) operate beyond March 2018, and may close earlier the ongoing provision of emergency 45 - 50 students that would continue are not able to transport their children (but not before March 2016), as its continuing services once the mine closes. • Alinta Energy employees each day to Leigh Creek Area School. operation had become increasingly uneconomic. to require an area school service. and Management Team The school is well located geographically 30 July 2015 • Businesses: Leigh Creek and the Region between Hawker and Marree and is Health Police Alinta Energy announced a revised accessible by both these communities It was highlighted that there are genuine • Council The regional community views the health timeframe for closure of its Flinders and the smaller towns nearby. concerns for community safety if there service in Leigh Creek as a critical service • Leigh Creek and regional Operations stating that the Power Station is no police presence in the region. If the school services in Leigh Creek were that must be maintained. This view is service providers such as South would not operate beyond March 2017. The South Australian Police (SAPOL) to close, this would result in significant consistent throughout the Region. Police, Health Services, additional travel to access education, has indicated in order to fulfil their Leigh Creek Area School 19 August 2015 making it untenable for many. Regional communities are also commitment to public safety, crime and concerned that if there are no health criminal justice services and road safety, The school currently has access to water • Leigh Creek residents Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Kyam services available in Leigh Creek, they the continued presence of police will and wastewater services, a community Maher, announced $1 million State Government would need to travel as far as Hawker or remain at this time as police service not • Leigh Creek and surrounding library and quality sporting and recreational investment into job creation and support initiatives Port Augusta, which are already reaching only Leigh Creek but other communities communities: individuals, residents, infrastructure not offered at other sites. for Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback region. capacity and may not be able to cater for in the region. If Leigh Creek is not families and community groups/ The educational opportunity offered additional population. maintained as a service centre, SAPOL Progress Associations from: 28 September 2015 at Leigh Creek is highly valued and It is likely that demand for ambulance would need to re-evaluate their model of unique for the region. The Department service delivery for the area, taking into - Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Kyam services will be unaffected when Leigh for Education and Child Development consideration logistical and other issues Maher announced the Government’s commitment Creek coal mine closes as the workload - Beltana provide two bus services for Leigh associated with any new locality. to providing services to Leigh Creek until at least is predominately external to the actual Creek Area School, travelling to - Blinman July 2018 noting that Leigh Creek is an important township. Irrespective of what happens - Copley service centre for the Outback region. Adnyamathanha community - Farina 7 October 2015 Alinta Energy confirmed that its Flinders Operations The traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people are the Flinders Ranges in . Adnyamathanha - Iga Warta will close on 31 March 2016. The Port Augusta communities feel that mine rehabilitation is vital to the restoration of their culture, heritage and story. They wish to be - Innamincka Power Stations will cease generation on 31 engaged for the rehabilitation contract to ensure it is undertaken in a way that is culturally appropriate. March 2016, while the Leigh Creek Coal Mine - Lyndhurst The Adnyamathanha communities also have an interest in the future use of housing in Leigh Creek. The community view will cease mining on 17 November 2015. that housing could be made available in the town for elderly members of the Aboriginal community so they can be closer - Marree to health services, and parents with children can be closer to education. ATLA has requested that the SA Government consider them for a management role of the Leigh Creek Township. - Nepabunna 13 October 2015 The Aboriginal communities, particularly at Copley, Iga Warta and Nepabunna, have a strong reliance on Leigh Creek Dr Jane Lomax-Smith is appointed to oversee - Parachilna health services and they are concerned about what they will do if the services close. They have noticed the need to a Request for Information (RFI) process to consider options to maintain a docutor in the area. • Outback Communities Authority identify private sector interest, ideas and tourism and other regional bodies opportunities for Leigh Creek. The RFI process The Aboriginal communities also rely heavily on Leigh Creek for the provision of groceries from the Foodland and access will run from November 2015 - January 2016. to water, power, Internet, transport and emergency services and are looking to see how these services can be maintained • Station owners/managers into the future. Community feedback - results and findings Actions and opportunities

Essential services Local business Aerodrome The closure of the Leigh Creek mine will significantly impact the township of Leigh Creek, however it is apparent that the town does not just serve the employees of Alinta Energy. If there is no sustainable future for the The engagement Program has identified The Leigh Creek airport is maintained by township of Leigh Creek, the supply of there is a heavy reliance on Leigh Alinta Energy under the lease agreement, Over time, the region has become dependent upon the services and facilities offered from Leigh Creek. water and power are still required by Creek retail services by local residents, and is of a high standard. Ongoing To maintain the functionality and community stability of the north eastern region of South Australia, the residents and communities in the local area. station owners and staff and the region maintenance of it is critical for the Royal community consider that Leigh Creek will need to transition to a sustainable service centre aligned to the generally. Flying Doctor Service. Furthermore, the airport is an emergency stop for cross- needs of the community. The retail outlets provide services for Housing country flights, as it is the only airport communities as far as Innamincka. There that can support commercial aircraft. If making the current housing stock in are limited other options to obtain fresh Leigh Creek available to residents is an groceries and full post office services in The aerodrome is also considered essential option in the future, (houses are currently the area. in creating new tourism opportunities Community involvement Timing Government owned and managed by in a transition plan in the region creating greater access for With the closure of the coal mine, there is Alinta Energy) Government would need However the uncertainty of Leigh Creek’s tourists who may be time poor but seeking Through engagement with the regional opportunity to leverage past investment • Identifying opportunities to to determine how this can be practically future is making it difficult for business an outback experience. community, strong expectations were in the town (resulting in its high quality access optic fibre cable to the mine implemented. owners to plan ahead. identified that Leigh Creek should infrastructure and services) through to establish an internet service in the Alinta Energy is offering an extended Local businesses provide employment town of Leigh Creek Mine rehabilitation continue to offer services for the region. effective and timely decision making to lease agreement to its employees so they for nearly 60 people, on a full-time, part- create a sustainable future for the town The community consider the • Seek support from the Government can remain in their house for up to 12 time or casual basis but these staff will be Under the existing lease conditions, and the region. establishment of a transition plan for a future for Leigh Creek beyond months after their redundancy. hard to retain if conditions become more Alinta Energy is required to breach the linked to community engagement will The community consider that the timing July 2018 uncertain. retention dam wall which will result in If people are to continue to live in Leigh provide the best opportunity to realise for critical decisions is imperative so as the release of water into the existing • Harness the support of community Creek post this time, a decision will need A timely commitment to Leigh Creek’s opportunities and create viable and not to lose community interest or miss coal pits. The regional community members in the region who are to be made around the plan for housing future will help the businesses decide on sustainable services in the region. any opportunity to benefit from Alinta have indicated they do not want to see visionary to realise opportunities and how it could be made available. their strategy going forward. If no plan Energy’s required investment in the town this happen. A number of pastoralists To be effective, this transition should • Establish community structures for the future of the town is forthcoming, over the next three years. it is likely some business owners will and community members prefer for continue to involve the community and to bring community together in a Social infrastructure leave the area. Developing a future for the retention dam to be retained and will need to consider the various issues, cohesive way to ensure common the town will allow business owners overflow water restored to its natural opportunities and social needs of the objectives are achieved The social infrastructure and facilities Belief in future opportunities to make considered decisions around course through the construction of a region together with infrastructure available in Leigh Creek provide the • Encourage the development of a whether to invest, downsize or sell their culvert around the mine. investment and housing availability. There is a strong belief amongst the community and residents with a valued transparent transition plan business as a viable concern. business owners, regional tourism quality of life. The community is willing to participate providers and the broader regional • Assess the opportunities and Loss of skilled labour in the transition process and consider If facilities and infrastructure are lost, community that Leigh Creek is sustainable activate those that are viable. The that tourism and education provide the the community are concerned this Pastoralists have expressed concern in the long term future if a structured community has been forthcoming best short term opportunities to attract quality of life could diminish as what is over loss of skilled labour as some transition plan is developed to effectively with ideas to keep Leigh Creek people to the region. available in Leigh Creek cannot easily engage mine workers on their days off downsize the town to cater for a smaller viable, mostly based on tourism and be replicated elsewhere in the Region. to assist in grazing activities which has number of residents/retirees, service education, as well as the potential This is particuarly true of the library, the been economically beneficial as well as Current interdependecies providers and tourists. to attract industries to utilise the swimming pool, produce at the Foodland convenient. When mine workers leave, Leigh Creek has never been marketed as existing Alinta Energy infrastructure The engagement program has and school bus service. there may be a shortfall in labour which a tourist destination and given the level (both in the township itself and at highlighted the interdependencies may impact on costs and operation. of amenity and the services on offer, this the coal mine). between the social services offered from is an opportunity to be explored. Leigh Creek. If the school and police remain in Leigh Creek for example, there In conclusion is a requirement for health services. Next steps Although the community are facing a It is perceived throughout the region that number of concerns and uncertainties, The local and regional community Leigh Creek’s services are indispensable there is overwhelming support and consider the following actions are critical and it is considered by the regional willingness by the community to work in building a basis for establishing a community that it is more economically with Government and private investment future for Leigh Creek and the region. feasible to retain them at Leigh Creek to create new opportunities and a new given the availability of the existing • Working with South Australian vision for Leigh Creek, whilst at the infrastructure capable of supporting Tourism Commission to identify same time ensuring this complements these services. ways in which to promote the region the existing townships and economic and ‘put Leigh Creek on the map’ activities of the region. usg-outback.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au