Located at the head of Spencer Gulf in South Australia, Port Augusta City Council has found a silver lining in the financial crisis.
The City is home to the State’s main power supply, with three coal fired power stations.
The slowdown in mining and resource development in South Australia has reduced the chance of immediate expansion occurring in Port Augusta and has given Council more time to plan for future growth.
As part of addressing future population growth needs, the Urban Growth Development Plan Amendment and the Regional Town Centre Development Plan Amendment are currently out for community consultation.
A Development Plan Amendment (DPA) for Port Augusta West is also being prepared to provide for major residential growth.
Port Augusta City Manager Greg Perkin said the mining slowdown gives Council the chance to plan well for future expansion in Port Augusta and stay ahead of the growth, rather than being forced to make planning decisions on the run.
“Council has already been proactive in planning for future growth, with the establishment of a Mayoral Taskforce and changes made to the Development Plan for the City,” Greg Perkin said.
“The slowdown in the economy has given us breathing space to ensure we get the planning right without the pressure of having rapid growth occurring now.”
As part of establishing what Port Augusta’s future needs may be, Greg Perkin recently visited regional centres in Queensland within close proximity to mines as part of a fact finding trip.
He said that while Port Augusta is unique in its positioning for future expansion in the mining industry, there are things that can be learnt from experiences in other regional centres, and these will be taken into consideration by Council.
With BHP Billiton also planning to expand its existing mining and processing operations at nearby Olympic Dam, Council is also working through its Environmental Impact Statement to determine future impacts on the City.
Greg Perkin said Council’s main focus is the obvious impacts of a proposed landing facility and access corridor in Port Augusta.
“When the Olympic Dam expansion goes ahead, the impacts for Port Augusta in terms of housing and service needs are yet largely unknown, although various scenarios have been predicted,” he said. “It is therefore necessary to develop plans that are able to cater for a range of possibilities.
“Council plans to encourage families to live in Port Augusta and fly or bus to and from the mines for work.
“We therefore need to ensure there is enough land available for residential housing if needed and that infrastructure and services are in place to support new families.
“It is also important for our community to be seen as one that welcomes and integrates new residents.
“It is expected that industries associated with the resource developments in our region will establish in Port Augusta and appropriate industrial and commercial land will need to be available for such developments.”
For further information contact Greg Perkin on (08) 8641 9144.
