regional development australia whyalla & eyre …...regional profile – whyalla and eyre...

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA

Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula

REGIONAL PROFILE

Ju l y 2011

Regional Profile – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA

Whyal la and Eyre Peninsula

Ju l y 2 0 1 1

Disclaimer: Neither RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula or any of its staff will have any liability in any way arising from

information or advice that is contained in this document. This document is intended as a guide only.

This document is the intellectual property and copyright 2011 of the RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Inc. No part of

this document may be modified, or material used without seeking permission from the RDA Whyalla and Eyre

Peninsula Inc.


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CONTENTS

PREFACE ..................................................................................................................... 7 Regional Development Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Map ...................................................... 8

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 9

1. INTRODUCTION: OVERVIEW OF REGION .......................................................... 13 Local Government Areas ......................................................................................................................... 13 Population ............................................................................................................................................... 15 Projected Population Growth ................................................................................................................... 15 Population Challenges ............................................................................................................................. 17 Age Structure ........................................................................................................................................... 17 Social Demographic Breakdown .............................................................................................................. 19

Indigenous Australians ................................................................................................................ 19 Cultural Diversity ......................................................................................................................... 19 Key Population Groups ............................................................................................................... 20

Education and Qualifications ................................................................................................................... 21 Employment and Unemployment ............................................................................................................. 21 Median Income ......................................................................................................................................... 23 Housing Characteristics ........................................................................................................................... 24

Dwelling Type .............................................................................................................................. 25 Tenure Type ................................................................................................................................ 25 Median Rent ................................................................................................................................ 27 Median House Prices .................................................................................................................. 27

2. ECONOMIC PROFILE ............................................................................................ 28 Status of the Regional Economy .............................................................................................................. 28 Manufacturing and Mining ........................................................................................................................ 28

Resources Production: Whyalla and Eyre Region ...................................................................... 30 Agriculture ................................................................................................................................................ 32

Grain Production ......................................................................................................................... 33 Livestock Production - Sheep ..................................................................................................... 35

Fishing and Aquaculture .......................................................................................................................... 36 Key Aquaculture and Fishing sectors ......................................................................................... 37 Future Economic Outlook for Fishing and Aquaculture Industries ............................................ 40

Tourism .................................................................................................................................................... 40 Tourism Business........................................................................................................................ 41

Employment Sectors ................................................................................................................................ 42 Employment by Industry Sector .................................................................................................. 43 Labour Force Participation .......................................................................................................... 44 Employment, Workforce and Skills Challenges .......................................................................... 45

3. ENVIRONMENTAL AND HERITAGE PROFILE .................................................... 46 Environmental Features ........................................................................................................................... 46 Indigenous Culture and Heritage ............................................................................................................ 47 Native Title ............................................................................................................................................... 48 Indigenous Communities ......................................................................................................................... 48 Non-Indigenous Heritage ......................................................................................................................... 48 State and National Parks System ............................................................................................................ 49 Water Resources and Supply .................................................................................................................. 49 Soils ......................................................................................................................................................... 50 Climate Change ....................................................................................................................................... 50


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4. EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROFILE .................................................................. 51 Education Facilities .................................................................................................................................. 51 Eyre and Western School Enrolments 2006-10 ....................................................................................... 52 Specialised School Centres ..................................................................................................................... 53 Tertiary Education and Research Institutions .......................................................................................... 54

University of SA Whyalla Campus .............................................................................................. 54 Minnipa Agriculture Centre ......................................................................................................... 54 Lincoln Marine Science Centre ................................................................................................... 55 TAFESA Regional – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula ...................................................................... 55

Overview of Health Services .................................................................................................................... 56 Summary of Key Health Care Concerns and Issues ............................................................................... 59 GP Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 60 Summary: Priority Health Needs .............................................................................................................. 60 Eyre Peninsula Health Workforce: Identified Shortages .......................................................................... 61

5. INFRASTRUCTURE PROFILE ............................................................................... 62 Service Utility Infrastructure: Water Supply ............................................................................................. 62

Power Supply .............................................................................................................................. 62 Renewable Energy ...................................................................................................................... 63 Natural Gas Infrastructure ........................................................................................................... 63

Transport Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................... 63 Ports ......................................................................................................................................................... 63

Port Lincoln ................................................................................................................................. 64 Port of Thevenard ....................................................................................................................... 64 Port of Whyalla ............................................................................................................................ 64 Port Bonython ............................................................................................................................. 65 Lucky Bay to Wallaroo Ferry Service .......................................................................................... 65

Rail Infrastructure ..................................................................................................................................... 65 Eyre Peninsula Rail Infrastructure .............................................................................................. 65 OneSteel (Iron Ore Rail Haulage Line at Whyalla) ..................................................................... 66

Airports ..................................................................................................................................................... 66 Port Lincoln Airport ..................................................................................................................... 66 Whyalla Airport ............................................................................................................................ 67 Ceduna Airport ............................................................................................................................ 67

Roads - Overview of the Eyre Peninsula Road Network ......................................................................... 67 Communications Infrastructure ................................................................................................................ 68 Housing .................................................................................................................................................... 68 Community and Social Infrastructure ....................................................................................................... 70

Community Sporting and Recreational Infrastructure ................................................................. 70 Community and Cultural Infrastructure ....................................................................................... 71

6. REGIONAL ISSUES ............................................................................................... 73 Economic Vulnerability: Agriculture ......................................................................................................... 73

Fishing and Aquaculture – The Introduction of Marine Parks ..................................................... 74 Climate Change .......................................................................................................................... 74 Climate Change and Environmental Management ..................................................................... 75 The Impact of Carbon Tax on the Region ................................................................................... 76 Minerals and Resources Sector .................................................................................................. 79 Tourism ....................................................................................................................................... 79 Small Business and Retail .......................................................................................................... 80

Water Resources and Supply .................................................................................................................. 81 Electricity Transmission ........................................................................................................................... 82 Renewable Energy ................................................................................................................................... 82 Nuclear Energy ........................................................................................................................................ 82 Fowlers Bay Power Supply ...................................................................................................................... 82 Port Neill Power Supply ........................................................................................................................... 83 Natural Gas Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................ 83 Broadband Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................... 84 Transport Infrastructure: Port Facilities .................................................................................................... 84

Port Lincoln ................................................................................................................................. 84 Port of Thevenard ....................................................................................................................... 85 Commercial Fishing Industry Unloading Facilities (Ceduna and Port Lincoln) ........................... 85


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6. REGIONAL ISSUES (Cont’d) ................................................................................ 86 Eyre Peninsula Rail Network ...................................................................................................... 86 Thevenard to Kevin (Penong) Railway Line ............................................................................... 86 Port Lincoln Airport ..................................................................................................................... 87 Ceduna Airport ............................................................................................................................ 87 Whyalla Airport ............................................................................................................................ 88 Roads .......................................................................................................................................... 88 Heavy Vehicle Movement through the City of Port Lincoln ........................................................ 88

Tourism - Eyre Peninsula Information & Interpretive Signage Infrastructure .......................................... 89 Housing .................................................................................................................................................... 89

Planning Regulation and Development Issues .......................................................................... 90 Community and Social Infrastructure ....................................................................................................... 90

Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities ........................................................................... 90 Community and Cultural Facilities .............................................................................................. 92

Business and Industry Development ....................................................................................................... 94 Fishing & Aquaculture: Introduction of Marine Parks.................................................................. 94 Fishing & Aquaculture: Southern Bluefin Tuna Quota Reduction ............................................... 94 Tourism: Workforce Supply ......................................................................................................... 95 Sustainable Farming ................................................................................................................... 95

Employment, Skills and Workforce Development: Issues and Challenges ............................................. 96 Aboriginal People ........................................................................................................................ 96 Youth ........................................................................................................................................... 97 Mature Aged People ................................................................................................................... 97 Migrants ...................................................................................................................................... 97 People with Disability .................................................................................................................. 97

Social Inclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 98 Indigenous Challenges and Barriers ........................................................................................... 98 Closing the Gap .......................................................................................................................... 98 Summary of Issues and Challenges for Disadvantaged Groups .............................................. 100

Social and Community Development ..................................................................................................... 102 Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation ................................................................................... 102

7. PRIORITY PROJECTS ......................................................................................... 103 Water Supply – Desalination Plants ....................................................................................................... 103 Renewable Energy – Green Grid Proposal ........................................................................................... 103

Whyalla Solar Thermal Project ................................................................................................. 104 Wave Energy Project ................................................................................................................ 104

Other Energy - Fowlers Bay Power Supply ........................................................................................... 104 Port Neill Power Supply ............................................................................................................ 105 Port Bonython Fuel Terminal .................................................................................................... 105

Transport Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................... 105 Port of Thevenard Redevelopment ........................................................................................... 105 Sheep Hill Port Facility .............................................................................................................. 106 Whyalla Bulk Commodities Export Facility ............................................................................... 106 Port Bonython Onshore land Development .............................................................................. 107 Ceduna Commercial Fishing Industry Unloading Facilities and Safe Harbour ......................... 107 Port Lincoln Fishing Industry Unloading Facility ....................................................................... 108 Lucky Bay to Wallaroo Ferry Service and Onshore Development ........................................... 108 Thevenard to Penong Rail Line ................................................................................................ 109 Extension of the Rail Line to the Eastern Eyre Peninsula ........................................................ 109 Port Lincoln Airport ................................................................................................................... 109 Ceduna Airport .......................................................................................................................... 109 Whyalla Airport .......................................................................................................................... 109 Wudinna Airport ........................................................................................................................ 110

Road Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................ 110 Port Lincoln City Bypass Road ................................................................................................. 110 Kingoonya to Wirrulla Road ...................................................................................................... 111

Communications Infrastructure .............................................................................................................. 111 Business and Industry Infrastructure: Whyalla Industrial Estate ........................................................... 111

Whyalla Rare Earths Complex .................................................................................................. 111


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7. PRIORITY PROJECTS (Cont’d) .......................................................................... 112 Tourism Development ............................................................................................................................ 112

Gawler Ranges Tourism Development ..................................................................................... 112 Eyre Peninsula Information Interpretive Signage Infrastructure ............................................... 112

Community and Social Infrastructure ..................................................................................................... 113 Cummins Community Multi-Purpose Recreation Facility.......................................................... 113 Streaky Bay Oval Precinct ........................................................................................................ 113 Port Lincoln Civic Hall Redevelopment ..................................................................................... 113 D’Faces of Youth Arts Theatre, Whyalla ................................................................................... 113

Agriculture - Sustainable Farming Initiatives ......................................................................................... 114 Minnipa Research Centre ......................................................................................................... 114 Cleve Area School – Expansion of the Sims Farm Training Centre ......................................... 114

Industry Development Initiatives ............................................................................................................ 115 Eyre Peninsula Regional Food Brand ....................................................................................... 115

8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION STRATEGY ..................... 116 Economic Development Strategy ........................................................................................................... 116 Indigenous Economic Development Strategy ........................................................................................ 116 Job Creation Strategy ............................................................................................................................ 118

Eyre Regional Workforce Development Network ..................................................................... 118 Whyalla Regional Workforce Development Network .............................................................. 119 The Facilitation of Workforce Development .............................................................................. 119 Keep Australia Working Program .............................................................................................. 120

Workforce Business Development: Tourism .......................................................................................... 120

9. DEVELOPING THE REGIONAL PROFILE .......................................................... 121 RDAWEP Stakeholders ......................................................................................................................... 121 Consultation Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 122 Review ................................................................................................................................................... 123

10. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK .............................................................................. 124 Regional Strengths................................................................................................................................. 124 Regional Challenges .............................................................................................................................. 124 Regional Opportunities .......................................................................................................................... 125 SWOT Analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 126 Vision, Mission and Goals ...................................................................................................................... 131 RDAWEP Business ................................................................................................................................ 132 Core Values ........................................................................................................................................... 132 Summary of Services ............................................................................................................................. 132 Action Plan and Project Priorities ........................................................................................................... 133

11. GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC CONTEXT ........................................................... 143 Australian Government .......................................................................................................................... 144 South Australian Government ................................................................................................................ 147 Local Government .................................................................................................................................. 161

12. DELIVERY STRATEGY ...................................................................................... 178 Responsibilities and Governance .......................................................................................................... 178 Marketing and Communications Plan .................................................................................................... 179 Marketing Strategy ................................................................................................................................. 179 Marketing Mechanisms .......................................................................................................................... 180

NOTES ...................................................................................................................... 181


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PREFACE

This profile provides a snapshot of the social, economic, environmental and cultural attributes of the Whyalla

and Eyre Peninsula Region. The document also presents the Regional Development Australia – Whyalla

and Eyre Peninsula (RDAWEP) framework and action plan for the long term strategic development of the

region.

This was no easy task. The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region is characterised by the breadth and

complexity of its diversity - as are the people who reside within it.

The region comprises two regional cities, 11 local government Councils and a diverse range of coastal and

inland townships of varying size. The geography varies from coastal seascape splendour and broad acre

fields to rugged hills and the Nullarbor Plain. Businesses range from agriculture, aquaculture, viticulture and

tourism to mining, manufacturing, hospitality and the arts.

In view of this diversity, it is understandable that the people of this region have widely differing political,

economic, environmental and other opinions about what could or should be done to make Whyalla and Eyre

Peninsula a better place. Perhaps the only thing they really share is their intense and unreserved passion

for safeguarding and value adding to what they already have.

RDAWEP has driven the preparation of this planning document. Numerous regional stakeholders were

consulted during this process, as were many key stakeholders from Local, State and Australian

Governments. However, this document is just a starting point for what will eventually become a coordinated

whole-of-community effort to produce long term social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes to

improve the overall well being of this region.

It is therefore the intention of the Board of RDAWEP to review, refine and update this regional profile on a

regular basis so that it will eventually become a representative vision of the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula

community.

The Regional Profile will be reviewed at least annually. Although the review may occur more often if

circumstances in the region change significantly and staff resources permit.


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MAP: REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA - WHYALLA AND EYRE PENINSULA


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ATTRIBUTES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The vast and unspoilt Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region occupies the western area of South Australia. The

region is bounded by Spencer Gulf in the east and stretches close to 2,400 kilometres across the Great

Australian Bight to the South Australian and Western Australian border.

The region has many attributes including magnificent natural resources, vast stretches of untouched

coastline, vibrant coastal and inland rural communities with a quality lifestyle second to none, as well as

established and diverse agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining industries.

Eyre Peninsula offers a pristine environment with 2.19 million hectares of native vegetation and clean,

unpolluted coastal waters. The region’s agriculture and aquaculture industries are very much reliant on their

capacity to harvest and market clean and green products from the land and sea.

Agriculture is the second largest industry in the region, producing more than 45% of South Australia’s wheat

crop and 20% of the barley crop. The total value of the agricultural industry exceeds $450 million per annum.

The 2010-11 harvest produced 3.25 million tonnes of grain including 2.2 million tonnes of wheat (38% of the

South Australian crop) and 738,000 tonnes of barley (26% of the SA crop). Approximately 97% of the

region’s annual grain production is exported.

Eyre Peninsula’s fishing industry is a recognised leader in developing and adopting the world’s best fishing

practices and standards. The ecological sustainability of the tuna, prawn, rock lobster and abalone fisheries

is widely promoted and actively championed by all sectors of the industry as it is a key factor in ensuring long

term business success. In recent years the fishing industry expertise has been transferred to a growing

aquaculture industry, which now sees the region gaining an international reputation as a producer of high

quality and diversified seafood products. The region is branded as ‘Eyre Peninsula - Australia’s Seafood

Frontier’.

The combination of a pristine natural environment and clean and green quality products has helped to make

tourism one of the region’s key and growing industries. Tourism contributes an estimated $261 million per

annum to the regional economy and employs approximately 2,000 people across the region.

Manufacturing is the largest industry and Whyalla is the largest industrial city in regional South Australia.

Whyalla is the hub and principal centre for manufacturing, steel production and resource processing in the

Upper Spencer Gulf and Eyre Peninsula regions. Manufacturing contributes approximately $341 million per

annum to South Australia’s gross regional product. In recent years steel making at Whyalla has increased

significantly from 460 thousand tonnes to 1.1 million tonnes per annum. The manufacturing sector employs

2,825 people accounting for 11.8% of regional employment.

Whyalla is strategically located with transport, engineering, business, retail and education sectors directly

involved in meeting the demands of local and remote mining and mineral processing developments.

Mining is one the region’s emerging and important growth industries. The Eyre Peninsula is located within

the mineral provinces of the Gawler Craton and the Eucla Basin which offer great potential for the discovery

of new mineral deposits and petroleum sources. The region is widely recognised as one of the most exciting

new frontiers for mineral wealth in Australia. Exploration in the Gawler Craton and Eucla Basin is at a

record level, with emerging developments in a range of minerals including heavy mineral sands, iron ore,

copper and gold, with increased levels of exploration for other commodities including uranium, zinc, nickel,

diamonds, petroleum and coal.


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The mining industry is already having an impact on the region’s workforce creating a range of employment

opportunities for local people. This demand is expected to escalate with total employment in construction

and operations growing at an annual rate of 7.6%, representing a growth of 94% over the next 5 years. The

demand for skilled tradespersons is set to increase by 116% or at an annual growth rate of 8.9%.

Labourers and related worker positions are expected to increase by 7.3% and production and transport

workers by 7.9%. Direct non-mine site employment is approximately 21% of total employment.

By way of a recent example, in June 2011 the Iron Road Company announced intention to pursue a $2.59

billion Central Eyre Iron Project near Wudinna. The 30 year project will create about 700-1,000 jobs during

construction and 600 permanent jobs when operational.

The future economy of the region has the opportunity to flourish with the advent of a number of mining

developments. The emergence of the resources sector will be a key catalyst for a number of other related

major projects in the region. These projects will bring tangible long term benefits by further strengthening

local industries and driving sustainable economic growth well into the future.

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region abounds with opportunity. The region has world class natural

resources and has been nominated as one of the best locations internationally for wind, solar and wave

technology development. A Green Grid renewable energy proposal has the potential to supply an

estimated 2,000MV of energy and provide 30% of the Australian Government’s national renewable energy

target by 2020. The Green Grid connection proposal will provide the infrastructure link for other renewable

energy generation, energy storage and water desalination projects which will collectively enhance the

region’s competitiveness.

Innovation is a key driver of productivity and competitiveness, stimulating new businesses and new jobs, as

well as revitalising established industries. Building business and industry capability to address the challenges

of climate change, environmental sustainability, increasing global competition and fluctuating market prices

is critical to ensuring the long term economic prosperity of the region.

The Eyre Peninsula is recognised as one of South Australia’s most resourceful, innovative and economically

vibrant regions. World class industry based research is already conducted in the region with innovative

programs and demonstration projects being undertaken at the Minnipa Agriculture Centre and the Lincoln

Marine Science Centre. These facilities have a vital role to play regarding the region’s future capacity to deal

with the challenges of climate change, environmental sustainability and new product development. It is

essential that Government and peak industry bodies collaborate to commit long-term investment into these

facilities and infrastructure to enable research programs to continue and be extended.

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Opportunities in the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region tend to be constrained by the region’s large

geographic size, low population base and remoteness from Adelaide. The region has generally been

challenged when it comes to the provision and maintenance of strategic infrastructure. Large geographical

areas combined with low populations and a small rate-payer base, make it cost prohibitive for local

government to provide and maintain major infrastructure.

For example, Councils in the region are responsible for the management and maintenance of over 12,000

kilometres of road, 94.9% of which is unsealed. Road maintenance and upgrades are consequently

undertaken on a regional priority basis, with projects included on a waiting list until funding becomes

available.


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However, efficient and productive infrastructure is essential to maintain the region’s functioning, growth and

economic competitiveness. But infrastructure across the region is of varying age and condition and there

are issues and deficiencies with suitability, accessibility, maintenance, supply and demand. Various

operational, upgrade and other issues need to be addressed with:

� Transport infrastructure - ports, airports, roads and the rail network,

� Water supply – both quantity and quality,

� Communications - mobile phone and broadband, especially access and capacity,

� Electricity transmission, and

� Community and social infrastructure.

Water is arguably the most critical issue that will impact the prosperity and growth of the region. Eyre

Peninsula has limited natural water resources. The region’s reticulated water is supplemented with supply

from the Murray River. But with forecast population growth and increasing water needs from industry the

demand for potable water is expected to exceed supply by about 2017-23. The provision of a new water

supply through either desalination or some other means is therefore critical to the region’s sustainability.

Political and legislative decisions are also having an impact.

The South Australian Government proposal to establish 11 Marine Parks along the western and eastern

coasts of Eyre Peninsula presents a major challenge to the region’s seafood industries and coastal

communities that depend on marine resources for their main source of income. The seafood industry is

consequently seeking assurances that the marine parks will not impact negatively on existing commercial

fishing grounds.

The recent international decision and subsequent Federal Government announcement to cut Southern

Bluefin Tuna quotas by 24% over the next 2 years has had a severe impact on fishing operations with

hundreds of local jobs lost and an estimated loss of $80 million annually to the Port Lincoln economy. Based

on evidence of sustainable management and growing numbers of southern bluefin tuna in the Great

Australian Bight, the tuna industry and Port Lincoln community are advocating the reinstatement of the tuna

quota to the previous level.

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region has a statistically low unemployment rate but there nevertheless

remains a high demand for a skilled workforce across all industry sectors. Growing industries - including

aquaculture, food processing, tourism, mining and renewable energy - are providing new employment

opportunities and diversifying the region’s workforce and skills base.

However, the region has pockets of disadvantaged and long term unemployed people – notably at Whyalla

and among the Aboriginal population, where poor education and inter-generational unemployment have

created significant barriers to workforce participation. One of the key economic development and job

creation challenges is to determine strategies to effectively re-engage this disadvantaged sector in the future

development of the region. A blue print for doing so is outlined in this Regional Profile.

VISION FOR THE REGION

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region is well positioned to facilitate and support a broad range of

significant developments. The region’s economy is diverse with world-leading companies in agriculture,

manufacturing, aquaculture, fishing, renewable energy, mining and tourism. Increasing the region’s

capacity to create new knowledge and find new ways of doing business is pivotal to building a sustainable

economy. Encouraging the development of innovative technology, cutting edge research, value added

products and more efficient processing and supply systems are key strategies that will strengthen the

regional economy well into the 21st century.


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The Regional Development Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula (RDAWEP) Board vision is for an

innovative and internationally competitive economy that will be ecologically sustainable and make the region

a great place to live.

The process for manifesting this vision requires finding the correct balance between economic and industrial

development on the one hand and environmental and community development on the other. There is

simply no point in encouraging economic growth if the natural assets and liveability of the region are

sacrificed in the process.

Luckily, the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region has the essential attributes and assets to make the Board

vision possible.

This Regional Profile sets a path to find that balance for the long term. The strategy will require finding the

optimum outcome between competing priorities at times, and embracing and celebrating the excitement and

dynamics whenever successful outcomes prevail.


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1. INTRODUCTION: OVERVIEW OF THE REGION

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region comprises approximately 230,000 square kilometres (about 7.5% of

South Australia). The Eyre Peninsula is triangular in shape and bound at its corners by the larger cities of

Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna. By way of comparison, the Eyre Peninsula is similar in geographic size

to Tasmania. Distances are significant, with highways stretching 300-400km between each of the main

regional centres.

The region is one of South Australia’s most productive areas generating an estimated $2.4 billion in revenue

annually. The region is highly export oriented with around $1.76 billion of product being sent to various

overseas markets each year.

The regional economy relies on manufacturing, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, tourism and mining

industries. While the agricultural, manufacturing and fishing sectors are well established, aquaculture,

tourism and mining have developed more recently as major sources of employment and revenue for regional

communities.

The City of Whyalla is unique having a significant industrial base, which is focussed on its manufacturing,

engineering and steel production facilities.

The region has many competitive advantages including well established industries, significant export and

domestic growth opportunities, magnificent natural resources, vibrant communities and a quality lifestyle.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region includes 11 Local Government areas:

- City of Whyalla

- City of Port Lincoln - District Council Ceduna

- District Council Lower Eyre Peninsula

- District Council Tumby Bay

- District Council Streaky Bay

- District Council Kimba

- District Council of Wudinna

- District Council Cleve

- District Council Franklin Harbour

- District Council Elliston

The region also includes some remote areas of the state that are serviced by the Outback Communities

Authority.

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POPULATION

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region has a population of almost 59,000 people or 3.6% of South

Australia’s total population. Just over 64% of residents live within local government areas of Whyalla and

Port Lincoln. The City of Whyalla is the largest population centre with 23,214 followed by the City of Port

Lincoln which has a population of 14,726 (ABS, Estimated Resident Population, at June 2010).

Source: Population Projections for South Australia 2001-2031, Planning SA, 2007

PROJECTED POPULATION GROWTH

South Australia’s population projections indicate that Eyre Peninsula’s population is expected to grow

through the 2006-2021 period, albeit at a rate lower than the State average. In particular, Port Lincoln and

the District Councils of Lower Eyre Peninsula and Franklin Harbour show strong projections for future

growth, while some other Council areas are projected to experience population decline.

Planning SA’s population projection is that the City of Whyalla’s population will decline over the next two

decades. This projection is based on assumptions about future fertility, mortality and migration. However,

contrary to Planning SA’s projections it is expected that the population of Whyalla will grow.

In fact, population growth is already occurring in Ceduna and Whyalla, where the positive impact of mining

activity is being experienced. Other coastal local government areas including Lower Eyre Peninsula, Streaky

Bay, Tumby Bay, Ceduna, Franklin Harbour, Cleve and Elliston are also flourishing with the desire for a sea

change lifestyle attracting many people to coastal communities.


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Source: Population Projections for South Australia (2001-2031), Planning SA, 2007

The ongoing expansion and diversification of the region’s industry sectors (agriculture, fishing, aquaculture,

tourism, mining, processing and manufacturing activity); the increasing demand for education and health

services and the emergence of renewable energy initiatives will attract more people to Whyalla and Eyre

Peninsula in the future.

Whyalla and Eyre Population 2001 2006 2008 Overall %

population

change

City of Whyalla 22,139 22,287 22,801 3.0

City of Pt Lincoln 13,899 14,251 14,452 4.0

DC Ceduna 3640 3752 3731 2.5

DC Cleve 1,897 1,973 1,921 1.3

DC Elliston 1,155 1,180 1,161 0.5

DC Franklin Harbour 1,305 1,316 1,339 2.6

DC Kimba 1,234 1,163 1,139 -7.7

Wudinna DC 1,455 1,364 1,333 -8.4

DC Lower Eyre Peninsula 4,217 4,598 4,731 12.2

DC Streaky Bay 1,989 2,095 2,159 8.5

DC Tumby Bay 2,591 2,644 2,706 4.4

TOTAL 55,521 56,623 57,473

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population Census 2006


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The South Australian Government State Strategic Plan identified a target population of 77,537 for the Eyre

and Western region by 2036. The table below shows the population growth rate for 1996-2008 and the rate

that is required to maintain the 2008 share of the Estimated Resident Population (ERP) for the region.

Table: SASP regional population targets/growth rates, Eyre and Western

Region Proportion

of 18.6%

ERP

2008

Population

target 2036

Increase

2008-36

pa growth

2008-36

Ave annual

Growth Rate

1996-2008

(% pa)

Target Ave Annual

Growth Rate 2008-

36 (% pa)

Eyre

Western

19.58 58,072 77,537 19,465 721 0.19 1.04

South

Australia

100.00 1,603,361 2,200,000 596,639 22,098 0.70 1.14

POPULATION CHALLENGES

Some of the region’s inland towns and communities have experienced population loss. The establishment of

larger and fewer agricultural properties, a run of poor seasonal conditions, the migration of young people to

cities and larger regional centres and the ongoing centralisation of services have all contributed to this

decline.

The attraction and retention of population in the region is largely dependent on the economic wellbeing of the

mainstay industries of agriculture, manufacturing, fishing, aquaculture, mining and tourism. However, climate

variability, increasing costs of production and the global financial crisis have in recent years all severely

impacted businesses and communities throughout the region.

AGE STRUCTURE

The region has above average proportions of school-aged and younger children (0 to 14 years) and young to

middle-aged adults (25 to 44 years) compared to the State average and lower proportions of older people

70+ years of age. The average age in the region in 2006 was consequently younger than the State

average – i.e. 37-38 years compared with 39 years for the State.

The Whyalla area has above average proportions of children under 15 years and young to middle-aged

adults (25-44 years). The population of Whyalla consequently grew by 3% over the period of 2001-2008.

The wider region has a largely middle-aged population, with above average proportions of families without

children. The region has recorded below average population growth, but gradual and steady growth is

projected to continue in the future1.

1. 2009, Whyalla Employment Skills Network Region Regional Profile, Dept of Further Education , Employment, Science

Technology


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Significant population characteristics of the region include:

• Above average proportions of youth and mature age populations,

• Above average youth (15-24 years) and mature age (45-64 years) populations,

• A significant Indigenous population,

• Whyalla has below average proportions of couples with children and above average sole parent families

and people living alone,

• Below average population increases over recent years, with some areas in the region experiencing

population decline, and

• Projected increases in the overall population - albeit at a lower level than the State average - with

increases concentrated primarily in coastal areas such as Port Lincoln and Ceduna.


The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region has a birth rate that is slightly higher than the State average. The

net migration numbers reveal a slight loss in the region in 2005 but with positive improvement during 2006-

2007.


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Whyalla and Eyre Region

2005 2006 2007

Eyre

Region

Whyalla SA Eyre

Region

Whyalla SA Eyre

Region

Whyalla SA

Natural Increase 149 156 5,841 166 153 6,339 157 172 7,317

Net migration -47 -390 1,942 -99 852 19,832 50 61 8,676

Net Population

Change

102 -234 7,783 67 1,005 26,171 207 233 15,993

Rates (no./1,000 people)

Crude Birth Rate 12.1 15.1 11.5 12.4 13.0 11.6 12.4 14.9 12.4

Crude Death Rate 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.6 6.2 7.6 8.0 7.4 7.8


SOCIAL DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN

INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

The 2006 Census shows that the Whyalla and Eyre region has a significant Indigenous population with 2,784

people or 4.8% of the total population being of Indigenous origin - significantly above the State average of

1.7%. The regional Indigenous populations are concentrated in Ceduna, Port Lincoln and Whyalla. Since

the 2001 Census the region’s Indigenous population has increased by 17.4%. Ceduna has experienced the

greatest growth with a 13.8% increase.

Indigenous Population


Age Population Indigenous (%) Non-Indigenous (%)

Eyre

Peninsula

Whyalla Eyre

Peninsula

Whyalla Eyre

Peninsula

Whyalla

0-14 724 310 35.9 40.4 20.8 20.7

15-24 360 142 17.9 18.5 10.9 12.7

25-44 564 194 28.0 25.3 25.7 27.6

45-64 312 112 15.5 14.6 27.6 25.1

65 older 56 10 2.8 1.3 14.9 13.8

Total 2016 768


CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Australian-born people comprise 95.3% of the regional population well above the State average of 74.0%.

The cultural diversity of the region is primarily European, with the largest groups being people born in

Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.


20


Overseas Born Population:

Percentage of Total Population

Eyre (%) Whyalla (%)

2006 2006

Born in Oceania and Antarctica (excluding Australia) 0.7 0.7

Born in North-West Europe 4.1 16.3

Born in Southern and Eastern Europe 0.9 2.5

Born in North Africa and the Middle East 0.0 0.1

Born in South-East Asia 0.4 0.7

Born in North-East Asia 0.1 0.2

Born in Southern and Central Asia 0.1 0.3

Born in Americas 0.2 0.2

Born in Sub-Saharan Africa 0.4 0.7

Total born overseas 6.9 21.7



(%)

Language Spoken at Home 2006

Northern European Languages 92.07

Southern European Languages 1.09

Eastern European Languages 0.61

Southwest Central Asian Languages 0.02

Southern Asian Languages 0.13

Southeast Asian Languages 0.26

Eastern Asian Languages 0.11

Australian Indigenous Languages 0.43

Other Languages 0.13


KEY POPULATION GROUPS

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region has an above average population of youth. Whyalla has a below

average mature age population whilst the wider Eyre region’s mature age population is above average. The

proportion of people with a disability (i.e. requiring assistance in core activities) is above the State average in

Whyalla but below this average in the Eyre region as a whole.


Key Population Groups Population % of the region’s population

Youth (15-24) 7,145 12.4%

Mature (45-64) 15,010 26.1%

Indigenous 2,784 4.8%

Disability 1,043 1.8% Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population Census 2006


21

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

The general level of education and qualifications in the region is below the State average. The area is

characterised by below average levels of school achievement with 28.3% of the Whyalla population and

27.7% of the region aged 15 years and older having completed year 12 or equivalent, compared to 38.3% for

the State.

The region has higher than average proportions of people with Certificate Level III and IV qualifications. This

is consistent with the high proportions of people employed in the manufacturing, agriculture, fishing and

aquaculture industries in the region.


EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT

According to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), in the March

quarter of 2010 the unemployment rate in the City of Whyalla was 5.1% with 757 persons unemployed,

which was marginally above the State average of 4.8%. For the wider Eyre region the unemployment rate

was 4.4% - lower than the State average and Whyalla.

The region’s unemployment rate has fluctuated in recent years. Unemployment in Whyalla has been

consistently above the State average and the rate has been lower for the wider Eyre region. The regional

average has nevertheless experienced an increase since mid 2007. The unemployment rates vary across

local Councils (see table next page) with some areas experiencing higher rates than the State and regional

averages.

In the March 2010 quarter, the region had a youth unemployment rate of 22.4% - well above the State

average of 12.4%.

The Indigenous population had a significantly higher unemployment rate than non-Indigenous people. The

region’s Indigenous unemployment rate was 11.5% compared to 16% for the State and 4.4% of total

unemployment on Eyre Peninsula. Indigenous unemployment rates in Port Lincoln (17.6%) and Whyalla

(22.4%) were significantly above the State average. At this time, Indigenous people in Ceduna comprised

24% of the local population but the Indigenous unemployment rate was 9.6%.


22

However, this unemployment rate is skewed because Ceduna had a large Community Development

Employment Program (CDEP) operating at the time and CDEP participants are not recorded as being

unemployed.

(The Indigenous unemployment rate at Ceduna would have been significantly higher if the CDEP

participants had been included. The number of CDEP participants at the time is unknown. But, by way of

example, 157 people (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) were recorded as being unemployed in March

2010. However, at the time of the 2006 Census, 317 Aboriginal people were recorded as being unemployed

(272 in Ceduna and 45 in the Unincorporated West Coast area) when CDEP participants were included. In

May 2011 there were 219 Indigenous CDEP participants in Ceduna). Source: Strategy Unit, Employment Programs

Directorate, Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology and Ceduna Indigenous Coordination Centre.

Statistical Local Area Unemployment Unemployment Rate (%) Labour Force

Mar 2009 Mar 2010 Mar 2009 Mar 2010 Mar 2009 Mar 2010

Ceduna (DC) 175 157 9.0 8.4 1,955 1,872

Cleve (DC) 23 20 2.0 1.9 1,122 1,077

Elliston (DC) 25 20 3.7 3.1 670 643

Franklin Harbour (DC) 18 17 2.5 2.5 715 686

Kimba (DC) 2 4 0.3 0.6 716 686

Lower Eyre Peninsula (DC) 88 68 3.7 3.0 2,398 2,302

Maralinga Tjarutja (AC) 1 1 2.9 3.0 35 33

Pt Lincoln (C) 434 349 5.8 4.9 7,433 7,124

Streaky Bay (DC) 38 27 3.2 2.4 1,178 1,132

Tumby Bay (DC) 39 28 2.9 2.2 1,335 1,282

Unincorp West Coast 28 26 10.6 10.2 263 254

Unincorp Whyalla 11 11 18.3 19.0 60 58

Whyalla (C) 763 532 7.1 5.1 10,769 10,341

Wudinna (DC) 13 12 1.6 1.5 829 797

Source: Small Area Labour Markets- March Quarter 2010, DEEWR

Source: Australian Regional Labour Markets- 2001-2010, DEEWR


23

MEDIAN INCOME

The City of Whyalla is characterised by consistently higher than average unemployment and low workforce

participation. The population of Whyalla experiences a degree of economic disadvantage. Even though

estimates of personal income for 2003-07 are significantly higher in Whyalla (see table next page), income

averages are negatively impacted by above average numbers of people on income support.

In contrast the wider Eyre Peninsula region has a relatively low unemployment rate and high workforce

participation. As a whole, the regional population is relatively secure in economic terms, although the

reliance on agriculture makes it susceptible to seasonal and environmental factors.

General economic characteristics of the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region include:

• Below average income levels.

• Average to below average levels of income support recipients.

• High proportions of rented dwellings.

Individual and household median incomes in the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region are generally lower than

the State average. Ceduna, Lower Eyre Peninsula and Port Lincoln recorded the highest income levels in

the region.


24


*Note: All incomes stated are before tax, or gross incomes. Gross income includes wages, salaries, overtime, business or farm income

(less operating expenses), rents received, dividends, interest, superannuation, maintenance (child support), worker’s compensation,

and Government pensions and allowances.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS

The average size of family households in Whyalla and the Eyre Peninsula region consists of two, three and

four person dwellings. Non-family households in the region are dominated by one person residences.



25

DWELLING TYPE

The vast majority of the region’s population reside in traditional separate house dwellings. In Whyalla 56% of

residents live in houses but this figure is higher across the region with 79.8% of people living in separate

dwellings. Just over 30% of residents in Whyalla live in semi-detached, one storey, townhouse or terrace

dwellings, whereas in the wider Eyre Peninsula region only 3.13% of the population reside in this type of

accommodation.

WHYALLA EYRE REGION Dwellings Persons

Separate house (Eyre) 10,684 27,706

Separate house (Whyalla) 5,021 12,831

Semi-detached, row or terrace house, townhouse etc.- One storey (Eyre) 552 1,087

Semi-detached, row or terrace house, townhouse etc.- One storey (Whyalla) 3,279 6,915

Semi-detached, row or terrace house, townhouse etc.- Two or more storeys (Eyre) 71 184

Semi-detached, row or terrace house, townhouse etc.- Two or more storeys (Whyalla) 17 26

Flat, unit or apartment (Eyre) 779 1,118

Flat, unit or apartment (Whyalla) 296 404

Other dwelling (Eyre) 283 527

Other dwelling (Whyalla) 31 56

TOTAL 21,013 50,854


TENURE TYPE

Just over 13% of residents on the Eyre Peninsula and 9.7% of people in Whyalla fully own their own

dwellings (see table, next page).

A proportion of the population in both areas are purchasing their own homes - 12.27% in Whyalla and 9% in

the wider Eyre Peninsula region.

Rental accommodation is in demand in the region with 8.8% of residents in Whyalla utilising State Housing

Authority properties. Only 2.8% of Eyre Peninsula’s population reside in rental accommodation. It is

important to note that this figure applies to the entire Eyre Peninsula region, whereas in reality, most housing

authority dwellings are located in Port Lincoln and Ceduna.


26

WHYALLA EYRE REGION Semi-

detached Dwelling

Separate house

row or terrace house,

townhouse etc

Flat, unit or

apartment

Other dwelling

structure not stated

Total

Fully owned (Eyre) 4,459 93 129 132 0 4,813

Fully owned (Whyalla) 1,803 399 21 7 0 2,230

Total 6,262 492 150 139 0 7,043

Being purchased (Eyre) 3,240 113 42 47 0 3,442

Being purchased (Whyalla) 2,103 685 4 7 0 2,799

Total 5,343 798 46 54 0 6,241

Rented

Real estate agent (Eyre) 425 95 133 0 0 653

Real estate agent (Whyalla) 236 357 128 0 0 721

State or territory housing authority (Eyre) 569 162 171 0 0 902

State or territory housing authority (Whyalla)

454 1,518 48 0 0 2,020

Person not in same household (Eyre) 998 76 134 24 0 1,232

Person not in same household (Whyalla) 160 134 53 0 0 347

Housing co-operative/community/church group (Eyre)

108 21 41 0 0 170

Housing co-operative/community/church group (Whyalla)

8 7 3 0 0 18

Other landlord type (Eyre) 288 19 31 34 0 372

Other landlord type (Whyalla) 93 42 16 14 0 165

Landlord type not stated (Eyre) 202 7 24 9 0 242

Landlord type not stated (Whyalla) 32 21 8 0 0 61

Total 3,573 2,459 790 81 0 6,903

Other tenure type (Eyre) 112 13 24 7 0 156

Other tenure type (Whyalla) 13 3 5 0 0 21

Total 125 16 29 7 0 177

Tenure type not stated (Eyre) 282 24 52 29 0 387

Tenure type not stated (Whyalla) 119 131 12 0 0 262

Total 401 155 64 29 0 649



27

MEDIAN RENT

The highest proportion of median rent paid in the region ranges from $0-224 per week. A significant amount

of rental properties in this price range are owned by the State Housing Authority with a higher number of

people depending on this type of accommodation in Whyalla than across the wider Eyre Peninsula region.

Source: Real Estate Institute of South Australia: House Statistics, median prices, property data.com.au, 2010

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICES

House prices across the region experienced modest growth during 2008 to 2010. Whilst the median house

prices during this period increased in Cleve and Port Lincoln other areas (Elliston, Kimba, Lower Eyre

Peninsula, Streaky Bay, Tumby Bay and Whyalla) had a decline in 2009 but a rise in 2010. Ceduna,

Franklin Harbour and Wudinna experienced decline in median prices. The price fluctuations can be attributed

to a number of factors which had a direct effect on regional economic activity and buyer confidence. These

include the global financial crisis, consecutive interest rate rises, drought conditions and low grain prices.

Source: Real Estate Institute of South Australia: House Statistics, median prices, property data.com.au, 2010


28

2. ECONOMIC PROFILE

STATUS OF THE REGIONAL ECONOMY

Eyre Peninsula is one of South Australia’s most productive regions generating an estimated $2.4 billion in

revenue annually. The region is highly export oriented with around $1.76 billion of product being sent to

various overseas markets.

The region’s economy relies on agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, tourism and mining as the main industries.

While the agricultural and fishing sectors are well established, aquaculture and tourism have developed

more recently as major sources of employment and revenue for regional communities. The City of Whyalla is

unique having a substantial industrial base, which is focussed on mining, engineering and steel production

facilities.

Source: Easy data 109 Economic Development Gross State Product, 2007


29

MANUFACTURING AND MINING

Manufacturing is the largest industry in the region. Manufacturing contributes approximately $341 million per

annum to South Australia’s gross regional product. The manufacturing sector employs 2,825 people

accounting for about 11.8% of regional employment.

In recent years steel making at Whyalla has increased significantly from 460 thousand tonnes to 1.1 million

tonnes per annum. OneSteel is the major manufacturer and recently expanded its steelmaking and ore

export operations extending the operational life of the company to at least 2027.

Whyalla is the largest industrial city in regional South Australia and has become the principal centre for

manufacturing, steel production, steel fabrication, resource processing and education in the Upper Spencer

Gulf and Eyre Peninsula regions. Whyalla is strategically located with transport, engineering, business and

retail sectors directly involved in meeting the demands of local and remote mining and mineral processing

developments.

Whyalla is consequently being positioned as “South Australia’s Mining Services Hub”.

As part of this marketing strategy, the Whyalla City Council developed an industrial estate during 2009 to

meet the growing needs of the mining sector. The industrial estate, located on land gifted to the City by

OneSteel, has been purpose designed to meet the future infrastructure needs of the mining sector.

The proposed expansion of Olympic Dam and Prominent Hill, the development of the Arafura Resources

rare earth processing facility and the establishment of new mining operations in the northern areas of the

state will have an immediate impact on Whyalla as the industrial centre of the region. Very good

opportunities exist for further development of Whyalla’s manufacturing and resources processing capacity.

Although mining has not previously dominated the region’s economy, mining operations are already having a

significant economic impact. Situated in the provinces of the Gawler Craton and Eucla Basin, the Eyre

Peninsula is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s most promising and emerging mineral frontiers. Exploration

activity in recent years has identified significant prospects including;

• Heavy mineral sands, kaolin, gold, silver, nickel, copper and iron ore in the northern and western parts of

the region, and • Iron ore and coal on the eastern, central and lower Eyre Peninsula.

The region has the largest deposit of gypsum in the Southern Hemisphere, significant iron ore resources and

an emerging world class heavy mineral sands resource. Established commodities already being mined

include:

• Iron ore: hematite production: 5.6 million tonnes,

• Gypsum production: 1.9 million tonnes,

• Heavy mineral sands production: 77,300 tonnes (when in full production this will increase to over

300,000 tonnes per annum), and

• Salt production: 129,992 tonnes.


30

RESOURCES PRODUCTION: WHYALLA AND EYRE PENINSULA REGION Gawler Craton 2008-2009 2007-2008

Eucla Basin Quantity (t) Value ($) Quantity (t) Value ($)

Commodity

Iron Ore- hematite 5,607,884 $ 400,040,484 5,301,002 $ 352,110,709

Iron Ore- magnetite 1,238,892 $ 95,349,412 921,692 $ 63,581,401

Gypsum 1,991,890 $ 6,981,717 2,110,144 $ 7,025,959

Salt 129,992 $ 1,528,006 104,845 $ 1,073,882

Dec 2009- June 2010

Estimate only Estimate only

Heavy mineral sands - zircon 43,500 $23,490,000 - $ -

Heavy mineral sands - ilmenite 28,600 $4,890,600 - $ -

Heavy mineral sands -rutile 5,200 $1,742,000 - $ -

TOTAL 9,045,958 $ 534,022,219 8,437,683 $ 423,791,951

Sources: MESA Journal, Volume 56, March 2010, PIRSA, Iluka Resources, June 2010, Quarterly Production Report

The region’s mining operations collectively contribute $517 million to the South Australian economy. This

figure will grow significantly as new mining operations are established.

Expenditure in the Gawler Craton on exploration, drilling and other activity reached $200 million in 2008.

Exploration has revealed exciting opportunities for world class resource deposits in heavy mineral sands,

iron ore, gold, silver, kaolin, uranium and nickel. Opportunities are also being explored for petroleum and gas

in the far west2.

2 MESA Journal, Volume 56, March 2010, PIRSA


31

Geological Province Expenditure, exploration drilling and other measures of activity in the Gawler

Craton, 2004 to 2008 (Source: MESA Journal, Volume 56, March 2010, PIRSA)

Resource estimates and production statistics of Eyre Peninsula’s major operating mines and

pending mineral development projects

Operational Mines

Company Commodity Total Resource (unless otherwise indicated)

Annual Production 2008-2009

Project Magnet OneSteel Iron Ore- Hematite Magnetite

Hematite: 32.5Mt at 59.2% Fe (including reserve)

Magnetite: 234.2Mt at 40.0% DTR (including reserve)

Jacinth/ Ambrosia

Iluka Resources Heavy Mineral Sands:

239.1 Mt material at 4% HM for 9.5 Mt in situ at 48% zircon, 28% ilmenite, 5% rutile Contained Commodity: 4,512,000t zircon, 2,632,000t ilmenite, 45,700t rutile

Mineral Development Projects

Company Commodity Total Resource (unless otherwise indicated)

Proposed Annual Production

Tunkillia Minotaur Exploration/ Helix Resources Ltd

Gold silver : Oxide gold: 6.3Mt at 1.1g/t gold for 224 ozs (0.5g/t cutoff) Contained metal 803,000 oz gold, 1,658,000 oz silver

Primary gold: 9.3Mt at 1.9 g/t gold and 5.5g/t silver

Poochera Kaolin Minotaur Exploration

Kaolin 20Mt inferred resource (calcine ISO brightness 96.5)

Warramboo Iron Road Mining

Iron Ore- Magnetite 110.5Mt at 19.4% Fe, 50% SiO2, 11.4% Al203, 0.09% P, 2.5% LOI (Loss on ignition) (inferred)


32

Resource estimates and production statistics of Eyre Peninsula’s major operating mines and

pending mineral development projects (Cont’d)

Wilgerup Centrex Metals Iron Ore- Hematite 13.2Mt at 57.7% Fe, 4.9%

SiO2, 2.8% Al203, 5.1%, LOI, 0.5% P (inferred)

2 Mt pa iron ore

Wilcherry Hill Iron Clad Mining Iron Ore- Magnetite 59.9Mt at 30.6% Fe (indicated inferred)

2 Mt pa iron ore

Mullaquana Uranium SA Uranium Oxide 12Mt at 0.02% eU3O8

Contained Commodity: 2,700t U3O8

Tripitaka Iluka Resources Heavy Mineral Sands:

42 Mt material at 2.4% HM for 1 Mt in situ at 65% zircon Contained commodity: 650,000t zircon

Source: MESA Journal, Volume 56, March 2010, PIRSA

AGRICULTURE

The region’s agriculture industry produces more than 38% of South Australia’s wheat crop and 26% of the

barley crop. The annual volume of all grains in 2010-11 was 3.2 million tonnes. However this was an

exceptional year with an above average yield resulting from higher than normal rainfall. The industry is very

reliant on seasonal conditions and the market price of rain at harvest where most of the crop is sold.

Grain export volumes account for about 97% of Eyre Peninsula’s annual wheat, barley, and legume

production. The region is renowned for high quality premium grains, particularly high protein wheat, malting

barley varieties and milling oats.

The rising value of livestock has rejuvenated interest in the sheep industry and there has been significant

reinvestment into meat and wool in recent years.

In 2006 the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) indicated that 48% of Eyre

Peninsula’s farms were classified as small farms (i.e. with output of less than $150,000 per annum) and the

majority of the region’s agricultural production occurred on medium and large sized farms. 80% of the total

value of agricultural production occurred on farms that have production exceeding $300,000 per annum and

over 55% on farms exceeding $600,000 per annum. The average income on broad acre farms in the region

is generally above the national average, but this varies more from year to year than the national average.

This is a reflection of the direct impact of seasonal variability on farm performance.

Broad acre farms account for 95 % of farms in the region. This comprised 2,242 farms in 2004, of which

more than 86% were dependent on grain growing or combined grain and livestock production. This is

significantly higher than the national average where only 23% of farms dependant on a mixed production

system (ABARE 2006). 3

3 FREE Eyre Strategic Plan, 2007


33

Total Eyre Peninsula Grain Production (2010-2011)

GRAIN TYPE TONNES PRODUCED 2010-11

Wheat 2.23 million

Barley 738,000

Canola 110,400

Pulses (peas, chick peas, beans, lentils) 107,400

Oats 32,500

Triticale 13,700

TOTAL GRAIN PRODUCTION 2010-11 3,232,000

GRAIN PRODUCTION

Intensive cropping has become a feature of farming systems on Eyre Peninsula since the early 1990s. The demise of the wool industry in the late 1980s was a key driver for this change. The introduction of canola plus the availability of improved grain species helped to provide disease breaks in cropping rotations, greatly enhancing yields.

Cropping systems in the more reliable farming districts include wheat, barley, grain legumes (field peas,

lupins, faba beans) and canola. In the lower rainfall districts, wheat and barley are the main crops with many

farms also running sheep. Pastures in these systems tend to be based on unimproved self regenerating

annual species, including medic and annual ryegrass and a variety of weed species. Wheat still remains the

key cash crop in both systems. In more recent times alternative pastures, such as lucerne and saltbush,

have been used to address issues such as erosion and salinity.

The move to conservation farming systems with reduced tillage and retainment of stubble residues, has

improved soil moisture conservation and resulted in significant yield benefits in dry seasons. More recently,

the move to no-till farming has further improved moisture and soil conservation across the region. This

technology has significantly reduced erosion through lower levels of soil disturbance and higher levels of

surface cover.

The use of trace elements, increased use of nitrogen fertilisers, improved crop varieties and species and the

availability of more effective herbicides have improved productivity and sustainability.

Amelioration of water repellent properties and the low inherent fertility of sandy soils through clay spreading

and delving has greatly benefited crop production and reduced wind erosion.

On the Eyre Peninsula, the most spectacular yields (average 2.38t/ha) are achieved on the southern part of

the region, which experiences the most consistent rainfall. The eastern division includes districts of high and

low rainfall and yields of average 1.55t/ha. The western division has the lowest yields (average 1.1t/ha) and

has not experienced productivity growth over the last 8 seasons. The lower and eastern divisions have

experienced growth in wheat and barley yields of about 1% per year.


34

FUTURE GRAIN PRODUCTION FORECAST

Rainfall is by far the dominant factor in determining yield and production and is more influential than

improvements in soil management and varietal usage. There is no clear agreement yet on the long term

significance of the recent reduction in coastal rainfall.

However, even with the seasonal weather fluctuations the Eyre Peninsula Grain Transport Integration

Investment Plan 2004, is assuming average grain production growth of 1% per year for the eastern and

southern divisions, and 0.5% growth for the western region. No further increase in acreage is assumed.

By the year 2030, average annual production of 2.6 million tonnes is predicted, 30% higher than the current

average4.

4 Eyre Peninsula Grain Transport Integration Investment Plan, Sd+D, September 2004


35

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION - SHEEP

Sheep account for 70% of livestock production in the region. The rising value of sheep has rejuvenated the

industry in recent years.

A combination of drought and reduced returns saw the Australian sheep flock decline from 120 million head

in 1997 to around 86 million in 2007. As a result, global market demand is likely to exceed the ability of

Australian farmers to supply sheep meat in the short term. This should strengthen prices.

Developing countries are expected to lead global meat consumption demand over the next 10 years, with a

projected growth of 27%. This should provide opportunities for increased sales for both lower priced and

higher value sheep meats.

In recent years the region’s sheep producers have started to re-build flocks. Rather than purchasing the

traditional Australian Merino, farmers have been investing in crossbreds for prime lamb markets and new

breeds such as the Dorper, South African Merino, and the Dohne Merino. These breeds are adaptive and

hardy, and thrive in low rainfall areas. The majority of sheep farming is currently in the central and northern

parts of the region.

Source: ABS Agricultural Commodities, 2006/2007


36

FISHING AND AQUACULTURE

The region’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industry accounts for approximately 77% of South

Australia’s seafood produce.

The industry is highly trade focused exporting over 80% of seafood produce from the region. Most products

are exported to New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and USA.

Aquaculture injects around $272 million per annum into the regional economy and employs 1,024 people

across Eyre Peninsula, with tuna farming and oyster growing being the largest employers.

Growth sectors in aquaculture are predicted to be marine finfish, mussels, abalone, oysters and tuna. Eyre

Peninsula is developing a notable domestic and international reputation for premium quality seafood. This

reputation has been based on sustainable production and best practice environmental management.

In a major marketing initiative, Eyre Peninsula has developed a regional food brand under the banner of

‘Eyre Peninsula – Australia’s Seafood Frontier’ to differentiate and highlight the regional seafood product as

world’s best quality.

VALUE OF SEAFOOD PRODUCTION- EYRE PENINSULA

Value of Production (EP) (2006/07)

SPECIES $’000

Southern Bluefin Tuna (aquaculture) 137 650

Oysters (aquaculture) 37 841

Mussels (aquaculture) 1 032

Abalone (aquaculture) 7 155

Other fish species (aquaculture) 17 674

Prawns (wild catch) 39 386

Rock lobster (wild catch) 18 000

Sardines (wild catch) 18 517

Abalone (wild catch) 19 600

Marine Scale fish (wild catch) 16 400


37

Source: ABARE, Fisheries and Aquaculture Production 2006/07

KEY AQUACULTURE AND FISHING SECTORS

SOUTHERN BLUEFIN TUNA

Tuna is the largest single sector in the state’s aquaculture industry accounting for approximately 71% of the

gross value of production. In the 2007–08 fishing season the tuna catch was 5,234 tonnes with the Southern

Bluefin Tuna industry accounting for 5,211 tonnes or 99.6% of the total.

There are substantial economic impacts from the tuna farming industry in South Australia. Direct output in

South Australia during 2007-08 totalled $187 million with an additional $18 million generated in processing

and transport. Flow-on output to other sectors of the state economy totalled $179 million. The sectors most

affected were tuna fishing (tuna capture), sardine fishing, manufacturing, trade, business, property services,

transport and finance5.

The value of tuna farm output increased by 36% between 2006-08 primarily due to a 30% increase in the

output volume and a 4% increase in the per unit value of farmed tuna6.

5 Economic Impact of Aquaculture on the South Australian State and Regional Economies 2007/08, May 2009, Econsearch

Pty Ltd 6 Economic Impact of Aquaculture on the South Australian State and Regional Economies 2007/08, May 2009, Econsearch

Pty Ltd


38

SARDINE FISHERY

The Eyre Peninsula sardine (pilchard) fishery is South Australia’s largest fishery sector by volume. The 2008

total allowable catch was 30,000 tonnes or 15% of the total spawning biomass. Since establishment, the

sardine industry has grown significantly with the value of output reaching $18.5 million in 2006-2007.

Fresh and frozen tuna fodder account for most sardine sales. It is estimated that approximately 55% of sales

in 2006-07 was fresh tuna fodder, while 42% was frozen tuna fodder. The remainder was sold for human

consumption as either a fresh (0.6%) or frozen (1.8%) product. In the future the sardine industry is aiming to

achieve the supply of at least 10% of the annual harvest (approx. 3000 tonnes) to alternative domestic or

export markets increasing the net return by developing new value added products7.

ABALONE

The western zone of the abalone fishery stretches from the Western Australian border to Arno Bay in the

Spencer Gulf. The value of output generated directly in South Australia and the Eyre region totalled $31.0

million in 2007-08. The output generated in downstream activities (processing, transport, retail food services

and capital expenditure) totalled $4.6 million – of which $2.9 million occurred in the Eyre region8.

ROCK LOBSTER

The value of output generated by the region’s rock lobster industry totalled $15.4 million in 2005-06 and

output from downstream activities was $3.1 million. Flow-on to other sectors of the State added another

$13 million to the economy. The sectors most affected were manufacturing, trade, business services and

transport9 More than 95% of the annual catch is exported to a number of destinations - most significantly to

Hong Kong.

WESTERN KING PRAWNS

The Spencer Gulf and West Coast prawn fishery operates in the waters of the Spencer Gulf and the Great

Australian Bight. The value of output generated directly in the Eyre region by the prawn fishery totalled $32.0

million in 2007-08 while output generated by downstream activities totalled $2.6 million.10

PACIFIC OYSTER INDUSTRY

The Eyre Peninsula is South Australia’s major oyster producing region. Oyster farms are located in five

areas at Ceduna, Smoky Bay, Streaky Bay, Coffin Bay and Cowell. The oyster industry is the second largest

aquaculture sector in the region with direct output valued at over $40 million. In 2007-08 the oyster industry

was responsible for the direct employment of 499 people and downstream activities created employment for

approximately 621 people11.

7 Economic Indicators for the South Australian Sardine Fishery 2006/07, August 2008, Econsearch Pty Ltd

8 Economic Indicators for the South Australian Abalone Fishery 2007/08, May 2009, Econsearch Pty Ltd

9 Economic Indicators for the South Australian Northern Rock Lobster Fishery 2005/06, April 2007, Econsearch Pty Ltd

10 Economic Indicators for the Spencer Gulf West Coast Prawn Fisheries 2006/07, June 2008, Econsearch Pty Ltd

11 Economic Impact of Aquaculture on the South Australian State and Regional Economies 2007/08, May 2009, Econsearch

Pty Ltd


39

DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AQUACULTURE- EYRE PENINSULA

Direct effects

Sector Output Contribution to GRP

Employment Household Income

($m) ($m) (fte) ($m)

Tuna farming 204.5 96.2 323 20.5

Oyster farming 40.1 25.7 499 14

Other aquaculture 28 9.9 202 7

TOTAL 272.6 131.8 1024 41.5

Flow-on effects

Sector Output Contribution to GRP

Employment Household Income

($m) ($m) (fte) ($m)

Tuna farming 338.4 176.8 1024 57.6

Oyster farming 61.7 37.5 621 19.9

Other aquaculture 47.2 19 316 12

TOTAL 447.3 233.3 1961 89.5

Source: Economic Impact of Aquaculture on the South Australian State and Regional Economies 2007/08, May 2009, Econsearch Pty Ltd

Source: Economic Impact of Aquaculture on the South Australian State and Regional Economies 2007/08, May 2009, Econsearch Pty Ltd


40

FUTURE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR FISHING AND AQUACULTURE INDUSTRIES

Global seafood consumption has risen steadily at an average annual rate of 2.9%, reaching 107 million

tonnes in 2005. Future projections suggest that the increasing global demand for seafood will result in

favourable price movements over time for fishers, particularly for the major production species which are

generally export oriented. In the medium term, the expected growth in production of high value species is

likely to result in an increase in the value of fisheries exports through to 2014-15 12 but this will need to be

balanced against the appreciation of the Australian dollar.

Although future growth is looking positive, Eyre Peninsula’s commercial fisheries sectors are subject to

global market forces and operating costs are exposed to considerable fluctuation. In recent years industry

input costs have been strongly influenced by rising fuel prices, fluctuating interest rates, unfavourable

exchange rates, increasing wage rates and the global financial crisis; all of which had a negative impact on

the fishing operation incomes13.

Into the future the Australian fisheries sector will face a number of challenges. These include continual

changes to the operating environment because of exchange rate movements, increasing fuel costs, and

ongoing changes to management arrangements. Additionally, longer-term challenges are emerging including

a move to adopt market standards in fish labelling and retailing in domestic and international markets, and

the challenge of adapting to climate change.14

Given the above, the future sustainability and competitiveness of the region’s fishing sectors will depend on

individual businesses being able to constructively address price pressures. Maximising the overall efficiency

of operations by reducing input costs such as fuel usage, wages, and travel distances will be essential.

The fishing industry’s ability to achieve its maximum growth potential will be linked to the timely development

of efficient and cost-effective transport infrastructure. The establishment of dedicated unloading infrastructure

at Thevenard will provide significant operational benefits to the industry enabling businesses to achieve a

more efficient cost path to market for their seafood products.

TOURISM

Tourism is one of the region’s key growth industries, with the region gaining a reputation for its premium

seafood products and its unique and world class nature based visitor experiences (whale watching at the

Head of the Bight, snorkelling or diving amongst cuttlefish, sea lions, dolphins and Southern Blue Fin Tuna,

cage diving with Great White Sharks and outback camping adventures in the rugged Gawler Ranges).

Tourism is an important economic sector contributing an estimated $261 million to the regional economy15

and directly employing 2000 people. The region accounts for more domestic and international visitor nights

than any other tourism area in the State, except for Adelaide. The region also has a longer average length

of stay for domestic visitors than any other SA region.

Although visitation has marginally declined in recent years, it is estimated that the region attracted 380,000

domestic overnight visitors in 2009 that stayed a total of 1.8 million nights. This exceeded the previous 6-

year average for domestic overnight visitors to the region. In the same year the region attracted 17,000

international visitors who stayed 120,000 nights. In 2008, Tourism Research Australia estimated that

domestic overnight visitors spent $223 million or an average of $148 per night. In the same year, day trip

visitors spent $38 million in the region at an average of $137 per visit.

12 ABARE, Australian Fisheries, The Global Context, March 2010 13 AFMA, Corporate Plan, 2009-2014 14 ABARE, Australian Fisheries, The Global Context, March 2010 15 SA Tourism Commission- Eyre Peninsula Regional Profile 2007


41

TOURISM BUSINESSES

Tourism is a tough business and the majority of operators struggle to make modest profits. Like all regions,

the Eyre Peninsula is facing increasing competition to maintain and grow tourism activity. Because of

relatively static growth in the domestic market, more discerning international markets and greater choice of

tourism experiences, the region will need to work harder each year to maintain its market share. In June

2011 there were 350 tourism related businesses in the Tourism Eyre Peninsula database with the following

product mix:


42

Accommodation is the largest sector in the industry. In 2007 the region had 60 accommodation businesses

employing over 920 people and generated over $23 million in gross income.

Eyre Peninsula Accommodation Supply

Type of Accommodation Establishments Employees Occupancy Rate Takings from

accommodation

No. No % $’000

Hotels, Motels serviced

apartments with 5 or more rooms

40 813 55.8 15,790

Caravan Parks (with 40 or more

powered sites cabins, flats, units /

villas)

20 114 35.2 7,743

Source: Regional Tourism Profile 2007, Eyre Peninsula Region, Tourism Research Australia

With tourism operations being spread over the length and breadth of the region it is not surprising that

business and peer support has been limited. The sector has identified the following as issues of concern:

• Lack of business development and mentoring initiatives being run in the region,

• Problems with maintaining skills development for both owners and employees,

• Inaccessibility of industry specific training (for owners and employees) due to geographic distance to

training centres and the high cost of training, and accommodation,

• Ongoing labour shortages,

• Seasonal fluctuations in workforce demand, and

• Problems with attracting and retaining a workforce.

EMPLOYMENT SECTORS

According to the 2006 Census, agriculture, forestry and fishing are the region’s largest employing industries

collectively accounting for 16.2% of the total workforce with 3,887 people being employed.

Manufacturing is the second largest employing sector with 11.8% of the regional workforce and the largest

employer in Whyalla with 23.5% of total employment in the city.

The region’s retail trade sector provides 11.5% of regional employment, with health care and social

assistance employing 10.7% of the workforce. Other large employment sectors in the region include

education and training; construction, accommodation and food services.

Recent trends indicate a strong demand for a skilled workforce across all industry sectors. Growing

industries - including aquaculture, food processing, tourism, mining and renewable energy - are diversifying

the region’s workforce and skills base and providing new employment opportunities.

With strong industry growth in the region projected - particularly in the key emerging industries of mining and

renewable energy - employment outcomes will be maximised by focusing on training that is directly linked to

industry needs and demands.


43

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY SECTOR

WHYALLA AND EYRE

SECTOR TOTAL PERSONS %

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 3,887 16.24

Manufacturing 2,825 11.8

Retail Trade 2,763 11.54

Health Care and Social Assistance 2,563 10.71

Education and Training 1,934 8.08

Construction 1,619 6.76

Accommodation and Food Services 1,385 5.79

Public Administration and Safety 1,066 4.45

Transport, Postal and Warehousing 954 3.98

Other Services 849 3.55

Administrative and Support Services 656 2.74

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 608 2.54

Wholesale Trade 607 2.54

Mining 516 2.16

Financial and Insurance Services 381 1.59

Not stated 341 1.42

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 261 1.09

Inadequately described 257 1.07

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 201 0.84

Information Media and Telecommunications 153 0.64

Arts and Recreation Services 114 0.48

Source: ABS, 2006 Census, Population and Housing- Industry of Employment, Catalogue No. 2068.0

OCCUPATION OF EMPLOYED PERSONS

Source: ABS, 2006 Census, Population and Housing- Industry of Employment, Catalogue No. 2068.0


44

LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION

In June 2007 the labour force participation rate for Whyalla was estimated at 63.7%, and the wider Eyre

region was 69.9%, both of which are above the State average of 61.4%.

The labour force participation rates are lower than the State average for most sectors of the population in

Whyalla, whilst they are above this average in the broader Eyre region.

In conjunction with low rates of labour force participation, the Whyalla population also experiences above

average levels of unemployment for all of the key population groups.

Although the wider Eyre Peninsula is relatively secure in economic terms and labour force participation, it is

highly dependent on seasonal conditions for the region’s primary industries.


45

Source: ABS Census, Population and Housing 2006

EMPLOYMENT, WORKFORCE AND SKILLS CHALLENGES The region has high numbers of unemployed youth and Indigenous people experiencing major barriers to

employment including high levels of disengagement and low level skills and confidence. With the pool of

unemployed people gradually shrinking, those out of the labour market experience complex and entrenched

barriers. A focus on entry level employment opportunities is required to build a work history and a

sustainable work ethic for the long term unemployed.

One of the major issues the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region faces is the possibility of labour shortages

due to an ageing population. Regional projections for the core working age population (15 to 64 years) show

that this sector will continue to grow until 2011 then slowly decline in the following years16.

16 2009, Eyre Employment Skills Network Region Regional Profile, Dept of Further Education , Employment, Science Technology

2009, Whyalla Employment Skills Network Region Regional Profile, Dept of Further Education , Employment, Science

Technology


46

3. ENVIRONMENTAL AND HERITAGE PROFILE

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

Eyre Peninsula has a characteristic Mediterranean climate with warm to dry summers and cool, wet winters.

The southern areas experience a milder, moister climate influenced by proximity to the coast. Inland the

climate is warmer and drier. Mean annual rainfall across the region ranges from 250 mm in the north and

northwest to more than 500 mm in the south.

Geographically the region has a triangular shape bounded in the north by the Gawler Ranges, the east by

Spencer Gulf, the south by the Southern Ocean and the west by the Great Australian Bight. The

geographical relief is gentle and low, with most areas less than 150m above sea level. The largest hills are

located in the Gawler Ranges with peaks reaching 500m. The Koppio Hills, covering an area of about 100

km², are the most significant topographical feature in the southern part of the region17.

Most of the region is managed by individual landowners, local and State Government agencies, and

industries with all contributing to the sustainability of the natural resources. Unique habitat areas have been

preserved in parks, reserves and, increasingly, on private landholdings. The competing priorities of the

businesses that profit from the region’s resources, the community that depends on the resources for their

lifestyle, and the agencies managing reserved habitat areas are very evident18.

Land use on Eyre Peninsula includes primary production, dense urban centres, commercial and industrial

activities and significant areas of native vegetation in undeveloped condition. Land use zones show a

predominantly rural area with numerous areas of watershed protection, conservation and coastal zones. The

rate of development and land use change is most marked in urban and peri-urban areas and other locations

associated with mining developments and defence activities.

Significant areas of native vegetation nevertheless remain – i.e. approximately 2,187,560 hectares (ha) or

45% of the pre-European extent, of which 44% is protected. These areas contain important mallee habitat,

several woodland communities, endemic fauna and flora species some of which is rare, threatened or

endangered19. Vegetation clearance for agricultural purposes ranges from 14% in the far west to 72% in the

south. About 15% of the region’s grazing area is covered with scattered vegetation.

The region features unique fresh and saline wetlands, and a long and relatively undeveloped coastline. The

coastal and marine environments are part of the region including 254 offshore islands ranging from 179 to

40,000 square metres in size.

Eyre Peninsula is a significant ecotone, being the western limit of a range of eastern Australian species and

the eastern limit of many western Australian species (DEH 2002). The relative isolation of Eyre Peninsula (by

sea and arid lands to the north) has allowed a high degree of endemism and species diversity to develop20.

17 2009, State of Our Resources, Recognising the state of natural resources of the Eyre Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources

Management Board. 18 Caring for Our Natural Resources, Natural Resource Management Behavioural Change Framework for the Eyre Peninsula, Eyre

Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board. 19 2009, State of Our Resources, Recognising the state of natural resources of the Eyre Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources

Management Board. 20 2009, State of Our Resources, Recognising the state of natural resources of the Eyre Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources

Management Board


47

INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Eyre Peninsula has been home to Aboriginal people for thousands of years, with the Nauo (south western

Eyre), Barngarla (eastern Eyre), Wirangu (north western Eyre) and Mirning (far western Eyre) being the

predominant cultural groups present at the time of the arrival of Europeans (Tindale 1974 in DEH 2004a;

SATC 1999).

During initial European contact the Aboriginal population on the Eyre Peninsula is estimated to have been no

more than 2,000 individuals (Berndt 1985 in Welz 2002). The number of people in each language group

varied, as did the size of the territory they occupied. In the northern parts of the State, tribal areas tended to

be large and boundaries were not always well defined. Along the coast where water and food resources

were more easily accessible, smaller tribal areas had loosely defined boundaries. All Aboriginal groups on

Eyre Peninsula are known to have used a wide variety of native plant and animal (including fish) species for

food and other resources.

The Lake Newland area is traditionally associated with the Nauo, Barngarla and Wirangu peoples with visits

by the desert Kokatha peoples from the north. The Barngarla/Nauo people are the traditional owners of the

land of Lincoln National Park (DEH 2004b). The Gawler Ranges to the north are thought to have been part of

the boundary of Barngarla and Kokatha territories. This area is thought to be rich in cultural sites. (DEH

2006a).

An archaeological survey along the Anxious Bay coast between Elliston and Fowlers Bay yielded important

information about the day-to-day use of coastal areas and Lake Newland from a number of camp sites and

midden finds (Nicholson 1991 in DEH 2003). The area around Lincoln National Park has a rich Aboriginal

cultural heritage with a number of sites of Aboriginal significance, including fish traps in Porter and Proper

Bays (DEH 2004b). The most comprehensive archaeological study undertaken to date on lower Eyre

Peninsula was a fish trap study by Sarah Martin in 1988 (Welz 2002)21.

A number of surveys recorded 87 fish traps, as well as many campsites and soakages (Welz 2002). In 1999,

Eddie Munro was commissioned by the (then) Australian Heritage Commission to conduct an archaeological

and anthropological survey of lower Eyre Peninsula. Munro reviewed data collected from previous studies to

establish a database of over 145 sites, including burials, stone arrangements, middens and fish traps.

Other studies were commissioned by companies or agencies in response to proposed developments.

However, no comprehensive study has been undertaken across the Eyre Peninsula to date. Many sites of

cultural significance are recorded in the State Heritage Register but there are many unrecorded sites that are

to be of significance to Aboriginal people.

Most of the registered and reported Aboriginal Heritage Sites in the region occur along the coast, with

clusters at many sites on both sides of the Eyre Peninsula. There are also inland sites near Lake Malata,

Wanilla, Yalata Aboriginal Reserve and areas near Kimba.

An absence of registered or reported sites does not necessarily indicate an absence of sites or objects. It

may simply indicate that an area has not been thoroughly surveyed for Aboriginal cultural heritage sites22.


Management Board 22 2009, State of Our Resources, Recognising the state of natural resources of the Eyre Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources

Management Board


48

NATIVE TITLE

Native title describes the rights and interests of Aboriginal people (recognised under Australian law)

according to their traditional laws and customs. Aboriginal people can apply to the courts to have their native

title rights recognised under Australian law and native title holders have the right to be compensated if

governments acquire their land or waters for future developments. Native title is managed through the

Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 and the Native Title Amendment Act 1998.

In South Australia, native title is also managed through the Native Title (South Australia) Act 1994, which

was enacted to parallel the Commonwealth Act before the 1998 amendments were made. In the Whyalla

and Eyre Peninsula region, the following native title applications have been accepted for registration (NNTT

2007):

• Barngarla Native Title Claim (SAD6011/98)

• Wirangu No. 2 Native Title Claim (SAD6019/98)

• Nauo-Barngarla Native Title Claim (SAD6021/98)

• Far West Coast Native Title Claim (SAD6008/98).

The following claims areas are also just within the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula RDA boundary:

• Nukunu Native Title Claim to the northeast of the Board’s area (SAD6012/98)

• Gawler Ranges Native Title Claim to the north of the Board’s area (SAD6020/98)

• Southern Arunda–Yunkunjatjara Nguraritja Native Title Claim to the north of the Board’s area

(SAD130/07)23.

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

Most of the region’s Indigenous population reside in Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna. To the north west of

Ceduna are the Indigenous communities of Koonibba, Yalata and Oak Valley which have populations

averaging 50-200 people. During the 1990’s there was a strong movement back to the land with Indigenous

family groups establishing homeland communities. These family based communities were formed on rural

properties across the region. In the Ceduna and far west coast region there are a number of homelands

which include:

• Yarilena • Warevilla • Koongawa Dundee

• Dinahline • Munda Munda Watujinna • Betts Corner

• Munda Wanna Mar • Tia Tuckia • Bullinda

• Scotdesco • Glen Boree

Around the Port Lincoln area the homelands include Kuranya, Ikkata and Akenta.

NON INDIGENOUS HERITAGE

Dutchman Peter Nuyts was the first European to sail past the Eyre Peninsula in 1627. European interaction

with the region did not begin until 1802 when Matthew Flinders spent three months mapping the coastline,

followed soon after by the Frenchmen Nicholas Baudin and Louis Freycinet.

In the early 1800s sealers and whalers visited the region, but this industry did not last long, collapsing within

a few decades because of depleted stocks. The first permanent European settlement was at Port Lincoln in

1839. Edward John Eyre was the first person to extensively map Eyre Peninsula in the 1840s. By the 1870s

much of the region was being grazed.


Management Board


49

In 1836 Governor Hindmarsh, the first Governor of South Australia instructed Colonel William Light to survey

for the capital of the new province at Port Lincoln, but Colonel Light rejected the site in favour of Adelaide

(Port Lincoln Council 2008).

Many places that are now of heritage significance are related to early industries on Eyre Peninsula. These

include the settlements of sealers and whalers with maritime heritage places such as lighthouses, coastal

jetties and shipwreck sites. Many heritage sites are associated with early infrastructure in mining and

agricultural industries including mills, mines and agricultural buildings. As these industries developed so did

better shipping facilities for the transportation of wheat, wool, ore and other products.

Other sites of heritage significance located around the peninsula include monuments, cemeteries, dwellings,

churches, hotels, railways infrastructure, farm buildings, school buildings, and buildings and infrastructure

associated with businesses such as blacksmiths, postal companies and bakeries24.

STATE AND NATIONAL PARKS SYSTEM

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region contains in excess of 99 parks, from national parks to conservation

parks and reserves, including those on offshore islands. These conservation areas have an important role in

supporting biodiversity and retaining natural habitats.

Conservation area Estimated total area (ha) No. of reserves

Conservation Parks 2.96 million ha 67

Regional Reserves 4.29 million ha 23

National Parks 226,031 ha 4

Wilderness Protected Areas 322,984 ha 2

Offshore Islands greater than 58,669 ha

Marine Parks (State Waters) 168,320 ha

Marine Parks (adjacent Commonwealth Waters)

1,97 million ha 1

TOTAL AREA (Terrestrial Parks) 7.54 million ha

TOTAL AREA (Marine Parks) 2.14 million ha

WATER RESOURCES AND SUPPLY

Eyre Peninsula does not have abundant natural water resources. For much of the Peninsula, the relatively

low rainfall, high evaporation, permeable soils and flat landscape dictates that there will be little surface run-

off and few surface waters. The region’s water resources are largely isolated local systems, with

groundwater providing the bulk of the potable supply. The two major groundwater basins lie within the

Southern Basins Prescribed Wells Area and Musgrave Prescribed Wells Area. Many other localised lenses

produce varying quality and quantity of yield. The Tod River is the only significant surface water catchment

in the region.


Management Board


50

Eyre Peninsula’s reticulated water is almost totally reliant on a small number of underground water basins in

the southern Eyre Peninsula and a supplementary supply via pipeline from the Murray River. However,

ongoing reliance on the groundwater basins, in conjunction with recent low rainfall, has resulted in significant

overdrawing of the supply causing salt intrusions which questions the long term suitability of this resource as

the potable supply for the region.

SA Water consequently introduced water restrictions in 2002, which will continue to remain in place until a

sustainable alternative supply is secured.

With forecast population growth and increasing requirements for water from the region’s industry sectors it

has been recommended that a desalination plant be established by 2014 to provide an additional 2.2GL to

5GL of water to meet projected demand.

SOILS

Calcareous soils are the most common soils in the region, covering nearly 60% of the surface. Siliceous

sands cover 20% of the region over clay soils, forming various dune systems. For the most part, the soils of

Eyre Peninsula have low fertility, low water-holding capacity, are deficient in plant nutrients and generate

very little runoff25.

In the lower rainfall districts of Upper Eyre Peninsula, alkalinity, sodicity and salinity commonly affect

subsoils. The soils not affected are likely to be deep, low fertility sands prone to water repellence and wind

erosion26.

In the higher rainfall districts, texture contrast soils are common. Subsoils are often nutritionally deficient,

with high strength and bulk density, resulting in low water conductivity and consequent poor root growth.

Sandy soils in the higher rainfall areas can suffer the additional problems of leaching and acidification.

Soils on Eyre Peninsula, like most soils throughout South Australia, are prone to the damaging effects of

wind and water erosion, salinity and other degrading factors. The evidence of severe wind and water erosion

can be seen in some areas as a legacy of past farming practices or a demonstration of ongoing problems.

Eyre Peninsula has significant areas of sloping land with erodible soils, particularly in the Koppio and Cleve

hills.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is a threat for the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region. Predictions suggest that the southern

parts of South Australia are likely to become warmer, with an increase in the number of hot days and a

decrease in the number of colder nights.

Potential increases in air and water temperature and a projected reduction in annual rainfall will have a

negative effect on the region’s ability to sustain a consistent level of production. The impacts of climate

change will put the region’s primary industries of agriculture, fishing and aquaculture at the greatest risk.


Management Board 26 2009, State of Our Resources, Recognising the state of natural resources of the Eyre Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources

Management Board


51

4. EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROFILE

EDUCATION FACILITIES

The Department of Education and Children’s Services has 38 government schools and 24 pre-schools

between Penong, Port Lincoln and Whyalla. These are managed through the Eyre and Western Regional

Offices located at Port Lincoln and Whyalla. Demographics show that Ceduna Area School, Tumby Bay Area

School, Port Lincoln High School, Wudinna Area School, Stuart High School (Whyalla), Long Street Primary

School (Whyalla), Nicolson Avenue Primary and Junior Primary (Whyalla) had enrolment growth during 2006

to 2010.

There was a decline in enrolments at the following schools in the same period: Karcultaby Area School, Lock

Area School, Karkoo Primary, Port Neill Primary, Kirton Point Primary, Port Lincoln Primary and Junior

Primary Schools, Lincoln Gardens Primary, Whyalla High School, Fisk St Primary (Whyalla), Memorial

Avenue Primary (Whyalla), Whyalla Stuart R-7 (Whyalla). The decline in Port Lincoln was largely caused by

the establishment of Navigator College (Lutheran) and a slight increase in enrolment at St Joseph’s School.

Fluctuations in Whyalla school enrolments are due to the exchange of enrolments between the Whyalla

schools and a slight decline at Samaritan College.

Other school populations across the region remained fairly stable during the same period.

It is envisaged that mining activity in the region will increase enrolments at Cowell Area School, Lock Area

School, Ceduna Area School, Kimba Area School and Karcultaby Area School. The anticipated growth in

population in Lower Eyre Peninsula Council will impact upon schools such as Tumby Bay and Cummins

Area Schools.

Secondary and area schools in the region have formed a Trades Training Consortium which aims to provide

trade training opportunities for students in primary industry (fishing, aquaculture and farming), metal

fabrication, building and construction and commercial cookery. The consortium has been funded through

grants from DEEWR and partnerships with industry to provide better training and employment pathways to

students in senior secondary school.

NUMBER AND TYPE OF EDUCATION FACILITIES

Facility Type Count

Aboriginal/Anangu Schools 3

Child Care Centres 11

Learning Together at Home 3

Family Day Care Schemes 3

Integrated Centres 2

Occasional Care 8

Out of School Hours Care 9

Play Centres 6

Preschools 28

Primary Education 20

Primary/Secondary Combined 12

Rural Care Program 3

Secondary Education 4

Special Education 2

Support Services 2


52

EYRE AND WESTERN SCHOOL ENROLMENTS 2006-2010

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CHILDRENS SERVICES SCHOOLS

Enrolments

School 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Ceduna Area School 452.2 476.4 481.9 521.7 533

Cleve Area School 352.3 347.4 324.2 326.7 326

Cowell Area School 184.2 180.6 179.9 171.4 177

Cummins Area School 398.8 375.9 385.4 378.4 383

Edward John Eyre High School 369.2 334 348 380.6 335

Elliston Area School 75 69.3 77.4 68.8 74

Fisk Street Primary School 181 185 169 166 145

Hincks Avenue Primary School 177 181 181 200 177

Karcultaby Area School 89.6 84.1 72.7 61.2 68

Karkoo Primary School 18 21 20 15 14

Kimba Area School 184.4 182.5 170.1 169.4 172

Kirton Point Primary School 435 424 403 356 336

Koonibba Aboriginal School 30 36 35 32 30

Lake Wangary Primary School 98 111 100 97 98

Lincoln Gardens Primary School 90 100 96 89 87

Lock Area School 107.1 95 97 90.8 88

Long Street Primary School 268 264 298 298 302

Memorial Oval Primary School 245 238 219 214 224

Miltaburra Area School 79.8 77 77.5 68.9 71

Nicolson Avenue JPS 252 271 239 247 260

Nicolson Avenue Primary School 365 383 400 383 378

Oak Valley Aboriginal School 33.5 24.5 26 14 27

Penong Primary School 23 26 28 33 31

Poonindie Community Learning Centre 67 67 56 57.8 61

Port Kenny Primary School 15.4 15 14 16 18

Port Lincoln High School 697.7 717.6 741.3 749.1 722

Port Lincoln Junior Primary School 343 318.2 335 322.5 294

Port Lincoln Primary School 598 580 544 496 463

Port Lincoln Special School 21.8 22 26.2 24.6 26

Port Neill Primary School 23 20.8 14 6 10

Streaky Bay Area School 275.6 270.6 266.5 258.3 263

Stuart High School 285 292 298 297 313

Tumby Bay Area School 243.8 264.2 280.3 278.1 298

Ungarra Primary School 35 29 25 30 31

Wharminda Primary School 20 16 15 closed closed

Whyalla High School 370.9 366.2 347 343 312

Whyalla Special School 39 39 44 43 43

Whyalla Stuart Campus R-7 112 110 101 94 100

Whyalla Town Primary School 267 276 271 263 262

Wudinna Area School 174.5 173 170.3 173.4 185

Yalata Anangu School 57 64 60 70 62

TOTAL 8153.8 8127.3 8036.7 7903.7 7799


53

NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

2007 2008 2009 2010

Crossways Lutheran School, Ceduna 161.00 141.50 129.00 92.00

Navigator College, Pt Lincoln Not operating Not operating 115 211

St Joseph's School, Pt Lincoln 749.80 765.20 757.60 762.60

Samaritan College, Whyalla 1058 1043.10 1010.5 1031

Sunrise Christian School , Whyalla 47.00 50.00 48.00 85.00

TOTAL 2015.80 1999.80 2060.10 2181.60

SPECIALISED SCHOOL CENTRES

CLEVE AREA SCHOOL- SIMS FARM

Operated by Cleve Area School, Sims Farm is a 400ha property specialising in dry land agricultural

education for aspiring young farmers. Sims Farm is the largest school farm in regional South Australia and is

managed commercially with a merino flock, prime lamb production and wheat, barley and oats enterprises.

As a specialist educator, Cleve Area School offers agriculture as a subject from year 9 to 12. The Cleve

Certificate III in Agriculture is undertaken in Year 10, 11 and 12; and students are able to complete their

SACE qualification. The Certificate in Agriculture course attracts students from all parts of the Eyre Peninsula

and other rural areas of South Australia. The school also offers boarding facilities.

The newly constructed Agriculture Skills and Trade Training Centre at Sims Farm has enhanced the delivery

of courses with the establishment of a state of the art shearing facility, conference centre and a fully

equipped farm workshop.

Through a partnership with training provider ‘Regional Skills Training’ the Area School also offers school

based apprenticeships under the VET program.

COWELL AREA SCHOOL – AQUACULTURE COURSE

The Aquaculture course at Cowell Area School grew from an idea put forward by a group of local oyster

growers in 1991. The oyster growers requested that a structured course be made available over two years

of senior secondary schooling to equip students for entry into the aquaculture Industry.

A two hectare research and development facility oyster lease was made available and a curriculum was

developed after consultation with local growers, Department of Education, TAFE, Australian Fisheries

Academy and the South Australian Fishing Industry Training Council. The first course was offered in 1993

and the program continues to grow with a 90 percent student success rate.

In 2009 it was decided to run a business model to purchase spat and sell on-growns to market. A business

plan and strategic plan were developed and the curriculum was updated to reflect these changes.

The oyster farm currently has 700,000 oysters and aims to increase this number to 1 million oysters during

2011.


54

TERTIARY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

World class education and research facilities are located in the region. Industry based study is conducted

through innovative research, extension programs, and demonstration projects at the University of SA

Whyalla Campus, the Minnipa Agriculture Centre and the Port Lincoln Marine Science Centre. In the future,

these facilities will play a vital role in extending the region’s capacity to deal with the challenges of climate

change and environmental and community sustainability. The facilities will increase the region’s capacity to

create new knowledge and find new ways of doing business, which is pivotal to building a sustainable

economy.

UNIVERSITY OF SA WHYALLA CAMPUS

The Whyalla campus of UniSA is the only regionally based university campus in South Australia. The

campus is situated on a 22-hectare site in the heart of Whyalla’s education and cultural precinct. It is the

major centre of tertiary education in rural and regional South Australia and the home of UniSA’s Centre for

Regional Engagement.

While the majority of students come from the western and northern regions of the State, an increasing

number of interstate and overseas students are choosing to study in Whyalla.

The Whyalla campus has developed programs and expertise that reflect rural and regional Australia. The

Centre for Regional Engagement provides expertise in the fields of business and accounting, nursing and

rural health, computer and information science, applied statistics, social work, community wellbeing and arid

lands technology.

The campus is expanding its research, consultancy and business services through collaborative ventures

with industry and community organisations across the region. It has a strong research presence with several

innovative and unique projects related to rural and regional issues, community strength and wellbeing and

applied statistical services.

MINNIPA AGRICULTURE CENTRE

The Minnipa Agricultural Centre (MAC) - operated by the South Australian Research and Development

Institute (SARDI) - occupies a 1,200 ha site of calcareous light sandy loam with occasional patches of

limestone. Approximately 1,000 ha or 75% of the Centre’s land is cropped each year.

MAC comprises a farming property, a SARDI agricultural RDE team and the Eyre Peninsula Agricultural

Research Foundation. The facility serves the low rainfall (<350 mm annual) cereal and sheep growing areas

of Eyre Peninsula – an area that contributes about 12% of the total value of cereal production in the state.

The main function of the MAC farm is to conduct, monitor and analyse broad scale RDE programs to value

add to low rainfall programs. MAC conducts these activities whilst demonstrating innovative and best

practice farm management for low rainfall environments.

The SARDI low rainfall agricultural RDE team has 15 staff based at MAC and there are also some SARDI

staff based in Port Lincoln. The staff collaborates with grower groups and conduct RDE activities across

upper Eyre Peninsula from Nundroo in the west to Cowell in the east and Murdinga/Wharminda in the south.


55

The Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation (EPARF) is an independent advisory group providing

strategic support and planning for MAC. EPARF is comprised of elected members from the Eyre Peninsula

farming community and representatives from SARDI and the University of Adelaide. EPARF has a

membership base of 200 (mostly growers) and is an independent fundraising body for MAC programs and

activities.

LINCOLN MARINE SCIENCE CENTRE

The Lincoln Marine Science Centre (LMSC) was built in 1995 by Flinders University to support research and

tertiary education in marine science. Establishment of the facility in Port Lincoln was supported financially

and in-kind by the State and Federal governments, the Port Lincoln and regional community and the fishing

and aquaculture industries.

LMSC provides tertiary level education in marine biology, marine ecology, oceanography and aquaculture,

and is a research centre for SARDI and the Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, Shellfish

Quality and Assurance Program.

In 2008, the Centre underwent a major $6.59m expansion under the Marine Innovation South Australia

initiative, nearly doubling the Centre’s size. This provided state of the art laboratories and facilities for more

than 35 permanent and visiting scientists and educational staff, and increased student numbers. The facility

created a national centre for excellence in southern temperate marine science, enabling scientists to conduct

new research into areas such as product quality, value-adding, aquatic animal health and individual marine

species.

TAFESA REGIONAL - WHYALLA AND EYRE PENINSULA

TAFESA Regional has a significant presence throughout the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region. Three

major campuses are based in Whyalla, Pt Lincoln and Ceduna with smaller facilities located at Wudinna,

Cleve, Kimba, Scotdesco and Yalata.

TAFESA Regional is the largest provider of vocational business and industry training in South Australia. The

region’s campuses offer a wide range of courses designed to meet business and industry needs.

With an ever increasing demand to provide training, TAFESA Regional is continually expanding the use of

flexible methodologies to enable training to be undertaken both on and off the job. TAFESA currently delivers

57% of training via flexible methodologies, which are supported by extensive IT and communication

networks throughout the region.

Recent Federal and State Government investment of $6 million has enabled the upgrade of some facilities at

the Whyalla Campus. Further funding is needed to ensure that campuses are properly maintained and

upgraded to meet the growing training needs of the region’s industry sectors.

The increased activity generated by the resources sector is one of the drivers behind demand for mining,

trades and related service industry training. TAFESA is delivering training across the region to meet this

demand.

The Federal Government’s injection of almost $10 million to fund the Eyre and Western Multi Trade Training

Centre has strengthened relationships between schools and TAFESA across the region to support the

delivery of trade related training.


56

OVERVIEW OF HEALTH SERVICES

Many health services are located throughout the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region. Eleven hospitals

service 57,500 people. Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna Hospitals are regional facilities attracting priority

status. Eight smaller hospitals provide a range of primary health services, including residential aged care.

There are seven Community Health Centres located at Pt Lincoln, Tumby Bay, Cleve, Whyalla, Lock,

Wudinna and Ceduna. Dedicated Indigenous Health Centres are located in Pt Lincoln, Ceduna, Whyalla and

Yalata (Tullawon).

WHYALLA HEALTH SERVICES

The core catchment area for the Whyalla Country General Hospital includes the Statistical Local Areas

(SLAs) of Whyalla, Cleve, Franklin Harbour, Kimba and Unincorporated Whyalla. For more specialised

services the Whyalla Hospital supports a broader catchment including Coober Pedy, Roxby Downs, Flinders

Ranges, Unincorporated Flinders Ranges, Unincorporated Far North and Port Augusta SLAs.

The resident population of the Whyalla core catchment is 25,096 and for more specialised services the

catchment extends to 52,491 (2006 Census). The core catchment reflects a high level of socioeconomic

disadvantage, with a moderate level of socioeconomic disadvantage in the broader area27.

PORT LINCOLN HEALTH SERVICES

The catchment area for the Port Lincoln Country General Hospital extends throughout the Eyre Peninsula to

the Western Australian border including the townships Tumby Bay, Coffin Bay, Elliston, Wudinna, Cummins,

Lock, Streaky Bay, Ceduna and Yalata. The Hospital is located 646 kilometres from Adelaide.

The resident population of the Port Lincoln catchment is 29,043 (2006 Census). The levels of socioeconomic

disadvantage vary from very high to moderate28.

During 2011 the Australian Government announced the provision of $39 million for a major upgrade of the

Port Lincoln Hospital.

CEDUNA HEALTH SERVICES

The catchment for the Ceduna Health Service extends more than 530 kilometres from the Western

Australian border to Lake Everard in the east. The catchment has a high number of young people and a

significant and increasing Aboriginal population (25%).

The catchment area is considered very remote. There is no public transport within the area and limited

public transport to Adelaide. Overall, the catchment has a relatively high socioeconomic disadvantage,

including a high rate of unemployment. It is predicted that there will be nil to small population growth over the

next 10 years29.

27 Whyalla Draft 10 Year Local Health Service Plan, 2010-2019, Whyalla Health Advisory Council, Whyalla Hospital Health

Service Country Health SA Hospital Inc. 28 Port Lincoln Draft 10 Year Local Health Service Plan, 2010-2019, Port Lincoln Health Advisory Council, Port Lincoln Health

Service Country Health SA Hospital Inc. 29 Ceduna Draft 10 Year Local Health Service Plan, 2010-2019, Ceduna Health Advisory Council, Ceduna Districts Health Service

Country Health SA Hospital Inc.


57

MID WEST HEALTH SERVICES

The Mid-West region encompasses the local government areas of Elliston, Streaky Bay and Wudinna

covering an area of over 18,318 square kilometres. The catchment includes the townships of Wudinna,

Streaky Bay, Elliston, Minnipa, Kyancutta, Warramboo, Yaninee, Lock, Port Kenny, Venus Bay, Bramfield,

Sheringa, Tooligie, Murdinga, Wirrulla, Poochera, Haslam, Sceale Bay, Bairds Bay, Eba Anchorage and

Perlubie Landing.

The catchment population is 4,466 (2006 Census). The population is projected to increase 8% by the year

2021. The catchment has a moderate level of socioeconomic disadvantage.

The Mid-West Health Service has three sites which provide a range of hospital and community based health

and aged care services. These include three hospitals/residential aged care facilities, a stand alone low

residential aged care facility and a comprehensive community health and home based aged care support

program. The structure is incorporated under the S.A. Health Care Act (2008). Services are provided through

state and commonwealth programs which include the Multipurpose Service Program, Rural Primary Health

Service program and Home and Community Care program. The programs provide a flexible and integrated

approach to the delivery of health and aged care services in the Mid-West Region30.

EASTERN EYRE HEALTH SERVICE

The catchment area for the Eastern Eyre Health Service encompasses the District Councils of Cleve, Kimba

and Franklin Harbour and contains the Cleve, Kimba and Cowell Hospitals. Kimba, Cowell and Cleve are

located approximately 500-560 kilometres from Adelaide and 110-150 kilometres from Whyalla Country

General Hospital. Many residences in the area are up to 50 kilometres from their nearest health service.

The catchment population is approximately 4,300 and is projected to increase 8% by the year 202131.

SUMMARY: GENERAL PRACTICE SERVICES

General Practices No. of GPs Practice Manager No. of Practice Nurses

Whyalla 20 yes 18

Port Lincoln 16 yes 21

Ceduna 4 yes 6

Eastern Eyre Peninsula (Cleve, Cowell, Kimba)

5 yes 2

Lower Eyre Peninsula 6 1 Registrar

yes 4

Mid west (Streaky Bay, Elliston, Wudinna)

3 1 Registrar

yes 6

30 Mid West Draft 10 Year Local Health Service Plan, 2010-2019, Mid West Health Advisory Council, Mid West Health Service

Country Health SA Hospital Inc. 31 Eastern Eyre Draft 10 Year Local Health Service Plan, 2010-2019, Eastern Eyre Health Advisory Council, Eastern Eyre Health

Aged Care Country Health SA Hospital Inc.


58

AGED CARE FACILITIES

Town No. of Residential Aged

Care Facilities

Notes

Whyalla 4

Port Lincoln 2

Ceduna 3 1 of these is a dedicated Indigenous

facility Eastern Eyre Peninsula (Cleve, Cowell, Kimba)

3 1 in each of these communities

Lower Eyre Peninsula (Cummins, Tumby Bay)

2 1 in each of these communities

Mid west (Streaky Bay, Elliston, Wudinna) 3 1 in each of these communities

SUMMARY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND GAPS

Hospital Services Provided Visiting and/or specialists/Allied Heath

Gaps in Services

Whyalla

• Accident/Emergency

• Midwifery

• Surgical Services

• High Dependency

• Children’s Health Unit

• Palliative Care

• Renal Dialysis

• Mental Health Services

• Obstetrics

• Anaesthetics

• Dietician

• Occupational Therapist

• Physiotherapist

• Podiatrist

• Speech Pathologist

• Counsellors

• Diabetes Educator

• Community Mental Health

Pt Lincoln • Accident Emergency

• Palliative Care


• Obstetrics/maternity

• Allied Health

• Mental Health

• PATS

• Renal Dialysis

• Domiciliary Care

• Gynaecologist

• ENT

• Ophthalmologist

• Paediatricians

• Urologist

• Dermatologist

• Drug Alcohol Workers

• Palliative Care

• Podiatrists

Ceduna • Accident Emergency

• Maternity/Obstetrics


• Aged Care

• Renal Dialysis Unit

• Anaesthetics

• Audiologist

• Dietician


• Physiotherapist

• Podiatrist


(Most from Whyalla)

• Podiatrists

• Mental Health

• Physiotherapists

• Occupational Therapists

Cummins • Accident Emergency

• Palliative Care


• Obstetrics

• Dietician


• Physiotherapist

• Podiatrist


• Mental Health Workers

• Dietician

• Psychologists

Tumby Bay • Aged Care

• Accident Emergency

• Drug Alcohol

• Asthma Advisor

• Podiatrist

• Dietician


• Mental Health Workers

• Dietician

• Psychologists


59

SUMMARY OF HEALTH SERVICES AND GAPS (Cont’d) Hospital Services Provided Visiting and/or

specialists/Allied Heath Gaps in Services

Streaky Bay • Accident Emergency

• Palliative Care


• Audiologist

• Dietician


• Physiotherapist

• Podiatrist


(Most are contracted by Pt

Lincoln Heath Services)

• Dietician

• Exercise Physiologist


Elliston • Aged Care


• Drug Alcohol

• Asthma Advisor

• Podiatrist

• Dietician


(Most are contracted by Pt

Lincoln Heath Services)

• Dietician



Wudinna • Accident Emergency

• Obstetrics

• Aged Care

• Mental Health Services

• Dietician



Cleve


• Community Nursing

• Ante Natal Services

• Dietician


• Physiotherapist

• Podiatrist


• Counsellors


• Mental Health Nurses

Palliative Care

• Podiatrists


Kimba • Accident Emergency

• Community Nursing

• Ante Natal Services

• Dietician


• Physiotherapist

• Podiatrist


• Counsellors


• Mental Health Nurses

Palliative Care

• Podiatrists


Source: Draft 10 Year Local Health Service Plans 2010-2019

SUMMARY OF KEY HEALTH CARE CONCERNS AND ISSUES

The Eyre Peninsula has a high degree of isolation due to limited local and intrastate public transport options.

The Australian Red Cross operates a community passenger transport network on the Eyre Peninsula for

people who have no access to transport for medical appointments. Regular flights and bus services are

available between both Port Lincoln and Ceduna and Adelaide.

The prevalence of chronic disease among people aged 16 years and over in the Eyre Peninsula region is

significantly higher for arthritis, asthma and osteoporosis when compared with country and total South

Australia. The Eyre Peninsula demonstrates considerably higher risk factors for alcohol consumption,

obesity, high cholesterol and smoking. The death rate for the region is higher when compared with South

Australia overall. In some areas of the region the death rate is almost 3 times the rate for South Australia.


60

GP SUMMARY

Responses to the 2009 GP Division survey indicate that the proportion of female GPs in the Eyre Division

has increased from 25% to 32%. 61% of GPs indicated they had no plans or were unsure when they might

leave Eyre Peninsula whilst 10% stated they would leave in 10 or more years. Of concern is the decrease

in proportion of GPs practicing obstetrics (21%) and anaesthetics (11%) down from 30% and 17.5%

respectively in 2007. Podiatry, mental health and physiotherapy services were identified as the main

shortages while drug, alcohol and obesity were identified as areas of concern requiring more services.

The Eyre Peninsula has a higher than average proportion of international medical graduates in general

practice – e.g. 67% compared to the national average of 43% and state average of 30%. The World Health

Organisation (WHO) estimated a current global shortage of 4.3 million health workers. In 2008, the WHO

also identified Australia and New Zealand as the OECD countries most dependent on foreign doctors. (Brooks,

P. and Gorman, d. Medical Journal of Australia, Vol 190 2009).

Of the 30 general practices in the region, 20 are solo practices, 9 have 2-5 GPs and only one has over 6

GPs. Lifestyle and professional reasons were the two main attractions to Eyre Peninsula for rural GPs.

53% of GPs indicated their workload was “about right” and 39% indicated their workload was “excessive”.

The main reasons for GPs leaving Eyre Peninsula were children’s schooling (24%) and workload (21%).

SUMMARY: PRIORITY HEALTH NEEDS Each of the region’s Health Services has undertaken a needs analysis process identifying priority health needs areas including:

Whyalla Pt Lincoln Ceduna Lower EP Mid West

EP

Eastern EP

Attraction retention of medical workforce � � �

Mental Health � � � �

Increasing rates of mental illness � � �

Diabetes � � �

Aboriginal Health � � �

Women’s Health � � �

Men’s Health � � �

Drug Alcohol abuse � � �

Smoking � � �

Obesity � � �

Chronic Disease � � � � � �

Aged care � � � � �

Child/ youth � � �

Gambling � � �

Geographic isolation � � � � �

Increasing demand for respite � �

Increasing ageing population � � � � �

Increasing demand for aged care services � � � � �

Changing nature of emergency

presentations

�

Increasing mental health presentations in

emergency

� � �

Increasing demand for emergency services � �

High proportion of emergency inpatient

admissions

� �

Meeting the health needs of children � �

Focus on primary health care � �

Maintaining health services in communities � � �

Clinical care as close to home as possible � �


61

EYRE PENINSULA HEALTH WORKFORCE: IDENTIFIED SHORTAGES

Whyalla Pt Lincoln Ceduna

Podiatrists � � �

Speech Pathologists � � �

Occupational Therapists � � �

Physiotherapists � � �

Dieticians � � �

Counsellors � � �

Mental Health Workers � � �

Audiologists � � �

Palliative Care � � �

Psychology � � �

Exercise Psychology � �

Dental � � �

Aboriginal Health Workers � � �

Osteopathic � �

Chiropractic �

Drug Alcohol � �


62

5. INFRASTRUCTURE PROFILE

A network of infrastructure underpins the productivity, sustainability and liveability of businesses, industries,

and communities in the Whyalla and Eyre region. Although the region has relatively well developed core

infrastructure in the areas of transport, energy supply, water, communications, education and health there

are deficiencies in overall condition, age, accessibility and the supply-demand balance. Over the past

decade only limited investment has been made to improve or develop the region’s key infrastructure assets

therefore reducing the region’s global competitiveness. In the future major investment will be required to

ensure that the infrastructure is fit for current and anticipated purposes. The following information provides

an overview of the status of existing infrastructure, and the identified gaps, issues and needs.

SERVICE UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE

WATER SUPPLY

SA Water operates and maintains the regional water system. The primary water supply is sourced from a

series of underground basins in southern Eyre Peninsula, supplemented by limited supplies from the Murray

River. There are two separate water supply systems. Whyalla and Iron Knob are supplied with River

Murray water via the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline. The southern and western parts of the region (Port Lincoln,

Ceduna and Cleve) are supplied via the Tod-Ceduna pipeline from groundwater basins. Branch lines provide

water to other towns. A pipeline between Kimba and Iron Knob connects the region to the State’s mains

water distribution network supplementing the Tod-Ceduna system with an additional 1.4GL of water from the

River Murray.

Following the introduction of regional water restrictions in 2002 consumption has averaged between 9.4 GL

and 10 GL per annum32.

POWER SUPPLY

The Upper Spencer Gulf is the main source of coal fired power generation for South Australia. The Northern

Power Station (520MW) and adjacent Playford Station (220MW) are connected to Whyalla via two 275 KV

transmission lines.

Eyre Peninsula’s power supply is sourced via a single 275kV backbone transmission line that extends from

Whyalla to the Yadnarie substation near Cleve. A single circuit 132kV transmission line from Yadnarie

supplies Port Lincoln and the lower Eyre Peninsula. Upper central Eyre Peninsula is serviced by a single

132kV transmission line that runs from Yadnarie to a substation at Wudinna. However, western Eyre

Peninsula is only supported by a lower voltage 66kV transmission line that runs from the Wudinna substation

to Ceduna and Penong on the far west coast.

The rest of the network across the region is provided by ETSA Utilities and includes 66kV, 32kV and 11kV

distribution systems. The distribution networks are extensive and service most of the communities and

farming enterprises in the region. The lines have a total route length of 263km and are built using steel

towers and single circuit conductor arrangements.

Due to the extensive distances, two diesel turbine generator systems are located at Port Lincoln and are

operated by Synergen, providing the region with the capacity of a backup system in the event that the

transmission network fails33.


Management Board 33 ElectraNet Annual Planning Review 2009-2029, May 2009


63

RENEWABLE ENERGY

There are two wind farms in the region, one at Cathedral Rocks south of Port Lincoln and the other at Mount

Millar west of Cowell. The Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm comprises a total of 66 MW of wind driven

generation. The Mount Millar wind farm comprises 70 MW of generation. Both wind farms are connected to

the regional power supply system and provide power whenever there is sufficient wind available34.

NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE

Natural gas is supplied to the Eyre Peninsula region from the Moomba to Adelaide pipeline via a lateral line

diverted to Whyalla under the Spencer Gulf. OneSteel is the main user of the gas, which also supplies

homes and other businesses in Whyalla.

The wider Eyre Peninsula is not connected to the gas pipeline and is reliant on bottled gas supply. The

demand for a piped gas supply to the region will increase in coming years as businesses look to achieve

more efficient ways of powering buildings, processing plants and other infrastructure. The establishment of

new mining sites in the region will drive the demand for this service provision.

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

The region’s main transport infrastructure consists of a network of state and local roads along with

passenger airports and port facilities at Ceduna, Port Lincoln and Whyalla. The road network is

supplemented by a rail network that for decades has played a major role in the transportation of grain and

gypsum to export facilities35.

PORTS

Ports provide the interface between land and sea transport and are critical infrastructure for interstate and

international trade. Port operations in the region generate local employment and income and provide

economic flow-on effects to other industries36.

With in excess of 2,400km of coastline, the Ports of Eyre Peninsula play a critical role in the transfer of

grains, legumes, canola, seafood and minerals to domestic and overseas markets. The four main

commercial ports are located in Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Thevenard. All have significant bulk loading

facilities and storage capacity.

OneSteel operates the Whyalla Port facility and SANTOS manages nearby Port Bonython. Both Port Lincoln

and the Port of Thevenard are run by Flinders Ports with the bulk facilities on both wharves being owned and

operated by Viterra Pty Ltd.

Eyre Peninsula is located in the mineral provinces of the Gawler Craton and Eucla Basin, long known to offer

major mineral prospects. In recent years mining exploration has identified significant resources in heavy

mineral sands, copper, gold, nickel and iron ore.

The expected surge in mining activity will drive the demand for major infrastructure improvements to

transport routes, including logistical improvements with storage and bulk handling at the region’s Port

facilities.

34 ElectraNet Annual Planning Review 2009-2029, May 2009

35 Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association, 2010 Roads Review, Supplement to the 2003 Road Transport Strategy

36 Port of Thevenard Economic and Social Impact Study and Business Case, Volume 2, Meyrick Associates, January 2009


64

PORT LINCOLN

Port Lincoln is Eyre Peninsula’s major deep water port catering for panamax sized vessels. Grains and

seeds are the principal exports and fertiliser and petroleum products are the major imports. The Port usually

exports in excess of 1.5 million tonnes of grains and seeds per annum, although this fluctuates with seasonal

conditions.

The port has 9 operational berths ranging from 56m to 330m length overall (LOA) with berthing pockets up to

46m wide and 15.2m deep. The bulk grain loaders are owned by Viterra Pty Ltd37.

PORT OF THEVENARD

The Port of Thevenard is the major port on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. Major export cargoes include

gypsum, grain, seeds and salt. In 2006-07 the facility handled 2.1 million tonnes of cargo generating output

to the regional economy valued at approximately $31.3 million and around $36.1 million for South Australia

as a whole.

Iluka Resources now uses the Port of Thevenard as the major export facility for 300,000 tonnes of zircon per

annum from their Jacinth Ambrosia sand mining operation near Ceduna. This will contribute approximately

$471 million to the gross State product of South Australia and $1.5 billion to the national gross domestic

product38.

The Thevenard jetty has two berths each capable of handling ships of 198m LOA and 28m beam with a

berthing pocket 30 metres wide and 9.8 metres deep. A gantry supports a load out conveyor and a discharge

boom with a travel length of 160.5m, capable of bulk loading grain at 750 tonnes per hour and gypsum at

950 tonnes per hour, into ships holds with a maximum outreach of 18 metres.

PORT OF WHYALLA

The Port of Whyalla is owned and operated as an indentured Port by OneSteel Manufacturing Pty Ltd. The

port consists of two wharf operation areas - being the Inner Harbour and the Ore Jetty.

The Inner Harbor (also known as the blast furnace wharf) comprises two separate berths known as the bulk

berth (serviced by a 26 tonne stock bridge) and the products berth. The berths are used for all loading and

unloading cargo activities (steel products, bulk commodities) other than the loading of bulk iron ore products.

The Ore Jetty (also known as the No. 2 Jetty) is located in what is known as the Outer Harbour and used

exclusively for the loading of bulk iron ore products including fines, lump and pellets. Hematite ore is loaded

from this facility onto barges and transhipped to cape size vessels (up to 180,000t). Approximately 6 million

tonnes of hematite ore is exported annually.

In recent years, OneSteel has supported unloading activity for a number of external companies. However,

access to the port is at the discretion of the Company on a case-by-case basis dependent upon the nature

and volume of the cargo and OneSteel’s operational requirements at the time.

OneSteel has recently committed to undertake a feasibility study into the potential expansion of the port

facilities which may support the needs of other users.

37 Eyre Peninsula Ports Master Plan, January 2009, Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia Pty Ltd

38 Port of Thevenard Economic and Social Impact Study and Business Case, Volume 1, Meyrick Associates, January 2009


65

PORT BONYTHON

The port at Point Bonython handles the export of petroleum products, principally LPG and crude oil from the

Cooper Basin. It has a 2.4 kilometre jetty. The port infrastructure cannot be used for bulk commodities, such

as iron ore. Approximately 30 ships per year are loaded, with a maximum tanker size of 110,000 tonnes

capacity. The majority of LPG produced (approx 70%) is exported via the ship loading facility.

LUCKY BAY TO WALLAROO FERRY SERVICE

In December 2006, a ferry service operated by SeaSA began operation between Wallaroo (on the Yorke

Peninsula) to Lucky Bay (near Cowell on the Eyre Peninsula). During higher demand periods, two ferries

and four services were offered per day, but at other times a single ferry offers two services daily. In August

2009, the ferry service was suspended following the sale of the vessel and delays in securing a purpose built

replacement vessel. The ferry service was anticipating the resumption of services in late 201039 but this now

expected in late 2011.

The ferry provides an important service for businesses and travellers who wish to avoid the longer road route

between Adelaide and the Eyre Peninsula around the Spencer Gulf via Port Augusta. In 2008–2009 the

ferry service achieved the following freight and passenger statistics: passengers (77,128); cars (27,774);

trailers/vans (3,757); motor bikes (1,138); trucks (780) and buses (137).

RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

EYRE PENINSULA RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

The Eyre Peninsula railway system is an aged narrow gauge railway line that is not connected to the national

standard gauge network. It links the Port of Thevenard in the west to Port Lincoln in the south. A branch line

extends from the centre of lower Eyre Peninsula through Rudall and Kimba to Buckleboo on the upper

eastern side of the Peninsula. These links are currently used exclusively to carry grain to Port Lincoln. A line

from Thevenard to Kevin (near Penong) west of Ceduna is used for hauling gypsum to Thevenard.

Genessee & Wyoming Australia owns the rail infrastructure and rolling stock on the Eyre Peninsula, and

operates all rail services. Rail operation characteristics include:

• An average maximum axle load of 14 tonnes.

• A maximum operating speed of 30kph for grain trains.

• A maximum operating speed of between 30kph (for loaded wagons) and 40kph (for empty wagons) on

the gypsum trains.

• A receivable system on rail capable of discharging grain at Port Lincoln (500 tonnes per hour in one

shed, and 300 tonnes per hour in another- maximum 800 tonnes per hour unloading rate).

• Specific rail scheduling to manage available passing loop lengths.

The line between Wudinna and Port Lincoln has recently been refurbished increasing capacity to handle a

maximum average axel load tonnage of between 14t and 15t40.




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ONESTEEL (IRON ORE RAIL HAULAGE LINE AT WHYALLA)

OneSteel is the owner of an 80km rail line between the Whyalla steelworks and iron ore mining operations.

In 2006 the company completed an upgrade of the rail system with an expectation that the Whyalla

Steelworks will continue operation until 2027.

AIRPORTS

In a vast and remote area such as Eyre Peninsula, commuter air services provide critical regional public

transport for business, industry, tourism, health, education, social and recreational travel purposes.

The region’s three main airports are located at Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Ceduna and are licensed by the

Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The facilities are owned and operated by local government – the City of

Whyalla, District Council of Ceduna and the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula (for Port Lincoln

Airport). The airports provide facilities and services for regular passenger transport (RPT), charters, defence

aircraft, medical retrieval services (the Royal Flying Doctor Service) and general aviation operations.

Port Lincoln is South Australia’s busiest regional airport, with in excess of 190,000 passengers annually.

Whyalla’s passengers number 60,000 per annum and Ceduna passenger numbers have grown to

approximately 25,000 per annum.

In addition, there are sealed runway strips with pilot activated lights at Wudinna, Streaky Bay and Cleve.

Smaller townships generally provide unsealed airstrips to accommodate light aircraft and the Royal Flying

Doctor Service.

PORT LINCOLN AIRPORT

The Port Lincoln Airport is South Australia’s largest and busiest regional airport. The facility provides public

landing strips and associated taxiway, apron, terminal, aircraft hangars and refuelling facilities for air

transport operators.

The airport is of strategic importance, servicing many of Eyre Peninsula communities and industry.

QantasLink resumed services in February 2010. There are now two RPT providers offering 72 flights per

week between Port Lincoln and Adelaide. Passenger numbers now exceed 200,000 per annum.

The airport consists of a 3-runway layout with the capacity to handle BAe 146 aircraft, Saab SF 340 aircraft

and the Embraer 120(12,134 kg). A sealed apron is capable of handling 3 RPT Saab sized aircraft

simultaneously. The terminal building houses two check-in counters, a departure lounge with seating for 67

patrons, amenity facilities, 3 hire car booths, emergency store, cleaners store and an external baggage

makeup and reclaim area. The Airport site includes several hangars and workshops to the north and south

of the existing terminal.

However, due to the growth in passenger numbers the terminal and other infrastructure at the airport are

inadequate for current purposes. The District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula is therefore in the process of

undertaking a major upgrade of Port Lincoln Airport including construction of a new terminal building. The

project will commence in 2011 with completion planned for mid 2012.

The airport upgrade was also made necessary by new security requirements for regional airports introduced

by the Australian Government that need to be implemented by July 2012.


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WHYALLA AIRPORT

The Whyalla Airport has extensive capability with a main sealed runway of 1786 metres. The facility

receives an average 60,000 passengers per annum. Additionally, the Australian Defence Force has uses the

facility occasionally for PC3 Orion aircraft.

The airport has two runways, three taxiways, general aviation apron, a sealed RPT apron and a lawn

helicopter parking area. The main runway and taxiway have runway lighting installed for night time use

controlled by a pilot activated aerodrome lighting control system. Other airport facilities include:

• Refuelling facilities,

• Hangars,

• Pump House and associated fire fighting equipment, and

• Power House with backup 90KVa generator.

The Whyalla Airport also provides emergency freight services for the local steelworks industry.

CEDUNA AIRPORT

Ceduna Airport is the largest regional airport on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. The facility provides public

landing strips and associated taxiway, apron, terminal and refuelling facilities for air transport operators.

Over the past 5 years the airport has experienced a significant 54.7% growth in RPT numbers with in excess

of 20,000 people using air services regularly. Due to the growing passenger numbers, the RPT operator has

increased the frequency of air services. Subsequently the airport infrastructure is now at full capacity,

particularly during peak periods.

The main runway is sealed and with a length of 1,737 metres has the capability to support Fokker F27 48

seater aircraft and DASH 8 50 seater aircraft. The second, runway has a gravel surface and is shorter with a

length of 1006 metres.

ROADS - OVERVIEW OF THE EYRE PENINSULA ROAD NETWORK

National Highway 1 (Eyre Highway) is the major east-west road across Australia, traversing Eyre Peninsula

from Port Augusta to the WA/SA border. Along the eastern coast of Eyre Peninsula is the Lincoln Highway

servicing the Spencer Gulf towns between Whyalla and Port Lincoln. The Flinders Highway connects Port

Lincoln with Ceduna, servicing coastal townships along the west of the peninsula. Running north-south

between Port Lincoln and the Eyre Highway at Kyancutta is the Tod Highway, servicing towns in central Eyre

Peninsula. These four highways are maintained by the State Government Department of Transport, Energy

and Infrastructure.

In addition to the highways, the region has a network of local roads that is managed by District Councils.

This network comprises 12,742 kilometres of road with 94.9% unsealed. The eleven member Councils of the

Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association collaborate to develop a strategic regional roads plan which is

supported by the Special Local Roads Program.


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Most freight movements in the region are undertaken by road. The freight demand comes from business,

social and government needs with consumer freight mostly using Highway 1 from Adelaide. General freight

is typically moved throughout the region in articulated vehicles or smaller vans on a daily basis, primarily

using the region’s highway system.

Transportation to and from wharf facilities is mainly undertaken via the road network (with the exception

gypsum which is totally hauled by rail from Kevin to Thevenard). Grain freight is moved primarily by road,

despite an upgrade of the railway. De-regulation of wheat marketing in 2008 has seen new marketers

operating in the region and diversity in freight movements. However, the price differential has meant that

many farmers continue to rely on road freight over rail41.

Tourism has become increasingly important for the region with the self-drive market strong and growing. The

main interest is in the coastal routes and the Gawler Ranges in central Eyre Peninsula. Councils have

factored tourism needs into their local roads planning. (EPLGA 2010 Roads Review)

COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE

Mobile phone coverage extends across most of the region via the Telstra Next G network, giving broad and

efficient phone coverage to most rural townships and communities. Other phone network providers (Optus

and Vodafone) have expanded their service coverage and offer service alternatives – but only in the major

townships.

Optical fibre connects most of the region’s populated areas. But only Whyalla, Port Lincoln and both Ceduna

have access to ADSL broadband capable of carrying large volumes of data efficiently, effectively and

affordably. ADSL services in other towns are only available through Telstra or resold Telstra wholesale

services. However mobile broadband is inconsistent and non-existent in some areas.

Video conferencing facilities are available through schools, remote indigenous centres, TAFE campuses and

hospitals. In addition a number of Eyre Peninsula councils are providing video conferencing facilities to

community groups and local organisations.

The National Broadband Network will deliver fibre-to-the-premises in towns such as Whyalla, Port Lincoln,

Kimba, Cleve, Cowell, Tumby Bay and Ceduna. Other towns will receive wireless or next generation

satellite services.

HOUSING

A decade of positive economic growth along Eyre Peninsula’s coastal strip has accelerated the “sea change”

phenomenon. A large number of houses continue to be built in coastal areas with most capitalising on the

spectacular views on offer throughout the region.

The region has a wide range of housing options for rental and purchase including flats, units, semi detached

houses (maisonettes) and a variety of other houses differing in style and price. In excess of 1000 new blocks

have been proposed for land divisions across Eyre Peninsula in recent times, with a strong focus on coastal

real estate.

Although home ownership is generally more affordable than in Adelaide, prices have fluctuated with

affordability in some regional centres being highly inflated. This can sometimes make home ownership

prohibitive for first home buyers, singles, Indigenous people, youth and low to mid income earners. In the

future there will be demand for affordable quality housing in the areas of:



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• Accommodation for Indigenous people in their communities,

• Accommodation for ageing residents,

• Accommodation for medical and other professionals to communities,

• Affordable student housing, and

• Temporary accommodation for a fly-in and fly-out workforce in some regional centres.

According to Planning SA there will be steady population growth of 19,465 people in the region during the

next 30 years. To accommodate this growth, a significant number of new homes will need to be built. The

number of dwellings required to meet the growth target will depend on the occupancy rate and housing

density42.

The region currently has about 692 ha of land zoned residential, 2,177 ha of rural living zoned land, and 653

ha of land zoned deferred urban. The residential zoned land could accommodate approximately 6,923

dwellings at 10 dwellings per hectare.

It is expected that the regional population will grow more than projected by Planning SA and demand will

continue to outstrip supply. Growth is already occurring in Whyalla, Ceduna and Cowell where the positive

impact of mining activity is being experienced. The projected housing demand in the table below is therefore

a conservative estimate.

Required new dwellings

( for 19,465 people)

Hectares

@ 8.5 dph @ 10 dph @ 13 dph

8,110

(@ 2.4 people per dwelling)

954 811 624

9,269


1,090 927 713

10,814


1,272 1,081 832

Source: Planning Strategy Eyre Western, Draft for Consultation, September 2009, Planning SA Dph + dwellings per hectare.

Over the past 10 years, the social housing component of the public housing sector has increased. Whilst the

percentage (i.e. as a percentage of total housing allocations) has fluctuated slightly over the years, it

nevertheless increased 1.97% from 12.74% in 1999‐00 to 14.71% in 2008‐0943.

There is increasing demand from Indigenous South Australians for social housing. As a result, more

Indigenous people are accessing public housing and the associated support services. With a growing

Indigenous population in the region, attention will need to be given to the housing needs of Indigenous

people to avoid overcrowding and associated poor health outcomes.

According to the McGregor Tan Research conducted in 2006, there is also a strong demand for student

accommodation in Whyalla. Students surveyed as a part of this report indicated the need for more units, flats

and student accommodation. Parents also suggested that there should be more accommodation provided for

young people44.

42 Planning Strategy Eyre Western, Draft for Consultation, September 2009, Planning SA 43 Housing in Focus 2008-2009, Statistical Supplement, Housing SA

44 Whyalla Social Profile, April 2006, McGregor Tan Research


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COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

‘Community and social infrastructure’ is a very broad category that encompasses the facilities which help

communities to function more cohesively and make them better places to live. The Regional Profile has

nominated two categories for facilities known as ‘community and social infrastructure’:

• Sporting and recreation facilities - e.g. ovals, tennis/netball courts, basketball stadiums, bowling

clubs, golf courses, swimming pools, race tracks, car & motorcycle dirt circuits, horse riding and

cycling trails etc.

• Community and cultural facilities - e.g. town halls, community centres, libraries, art galleries,

cultural centres, theatres, cinemas, museums, dance studios, heritage buildings etc.

Community and social infrastructure has an extremely important social function because it includes the

facilities that enhance the well being, amenity and liveability of communities. Such infrastructure is vital in

regional areas because rural towns are often isolated from city-based and mainstream sporting, arts,

entertainment and cultural services.

There is a strong link between community cultural infrastructure and tourism because communities with

interesting cultural heritage facilities tend to be not only good places to live, but also good places to visit.

The interface is often manifest in infrastructure that serves both local community and visitor purposes such

as information centres, interpretive centres, historical museums, heritage and interpretive trails, playground

and BBQ facilities and the like. For example, the Parnkalla Trail along the shores of Boston Bay and Proper

Bay at Port Lincoln connects several prominent and historical landmarks – e.g. the site of the first European

landing at Boston Bay, the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum, the town jetty, the Makybe Diva statue, Port

Lincoln Yacht Club etc. The 17.8 kilometre walking and cycling trail is predominantly used by the local

community for fitness and dog walking purposes, but is also used by many visitors as a tourism asset and a

means of experiencing, viewing and learning about Port Lincoln.

Various township enhancement and other infrastructure developments that serve both local community and

tourism purposes are therefore included in the community and cultural facilities section of this Regional

Profile.

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region has a very diverse range of community and social infrastructure.

However, like much of the other infrastructure across the region, it is of varying age and condition, and there

are issues and deficiencies with suitability, accessibility, maintenance, supply and demand.

Many of the smaller communities are seeking to rationalise sporting and recreation facilities by establishing

sporting and recreation hubs combining several different sporting clubs and activities at one location. The

aim is to maximise investment and provide higher quality sporting facilities that are sustainable.

COMMUNITY SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

It is widely accepted that sporting and recreational activities contribute to the development of stronger social

networks and more cohesive communities. Indeed, the social fabric of most Australian rural towns has

traditionally been based around sporting clubs. This is certainly the case on the Eyre Peninsula where the

sport and recreation participation rate often eclipses State and Australian averages. The overall participation

rate in sport and recreation on the Eyre Peninsula was above the state average in 200845 and in 2006 the EP

rate of 83.1% exceeded the Australian benchmark of 82.5%.

45 Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sport in Regional SA, July 2006, Office for Recreation and Sport


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Average participation rate (SA) Average rate (EP)

Women 81.4% 84.2%

Men 80.7% 82.1%

On the Eyre Peninsula, sports participation is predominantly in the traditional sports of football, netball,

cricket, tennis, basketball, bowls and golf because these activities have been historically available. Three of

the top four Australian sport and recreation preferences (aerobics/fitness, swimming and cycling) are not

widely available for residents of Eyre Peninsula outside the major cities of Whyalla and Port Lincoln.

Australian Benchmark Eyre Peninsula

Walking 37.9% 40.4%

Aerobics/fitness 16.0% 0.6%

Swimming 15.3% 4.9%

Cycling 9.4% 4.9%

Tennis 9.0% 4.9%

As the population ages these activity preferences may change, but it is nevertheless accepted that the

culture of organised sport has always underpinned social networking on the Eyre Peninsula and is

fundamental to the culture of the region46.

Most towns in the region have either a single, or a number of sporting facilities. The infrastructure in smaller

towns is often basic and usually consists of an oval or ovals, along with tennis/netball courts, bowling greens

and a golf course. The cities of Whyalla and Port Lincoln offer a more comprehensive range of quality

recreational facilities that provide a wider range of sporting activities.

COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Community and cultural infrastructure provision is less comprehensive across the region. While most

townships have sporting facilities and some form of community, institute or memorial hall, only a few towns in

the region have community centres, visitor centres, historical museums, libraries, art galleries, cultural

centres, theatres, walking trails and the like.

Most township halls in the region are relatively old. They were purpose built originally to accommodate the

social needs of the time and provided the infrastructure for dances, community meetings, wedding

receptions, remembrance ceremonies etc. The halls predominantly comprised a flat wooden floor, a small

stage, some form of kitchen or supper room and folding trestles and chairs for function seating.

However community and social needs have changed significantly over the years. Many of the township

halls have received minor renovations and been adapted for multiple community and cultural purposes – e.g.

as community and visitor information centres, function spaces, and occasional art galleries and theatre

spaces for local and visiting exhibitions and theatre groups. This occurs in the community halls at Ceduna,

Elliston, Streaky Bay and Wudinna.

46 Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association, Sport Recreation Infrastructure Committee, Statement of Position, January 2008


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The Port Lincoln Civic Hall – originally constructed in 1936 as the Port Lincoln Soldier’s Memorial Civic

Centre – has been modified several times over the years with a major renovation in 2001 for the provision of

an art gallery, a 500-seat theatre and function spaces.

The Middleback Theatre Complex at Whyalla is the only purpose built arts facility in the region and

comprises a 500-seat proscenium arch auditorium along with the infrastructure for major theatre and music

performances (orchestra pit, control box, computerised technology etc.). The facility also functions as the

Whyalla Cinema and has infrastructure in the foyer to serve as a major art gallery.

There are two Indigenous arts centres in the region – the Ceduna Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Centre at

Ceduna and Kuju Arts at Port Lincoln. The facilities have visual arts workshop spaces and showcase and

sell the work of local Aboriginal artists. However both facilities also have viability, operational and business

development issues that need to be addressed.

Arts development in the region is serviced by Country Arts SA which has Arts Officers based at Whyalla, Port

Lincoln and Streaky Bay. But one of the issues concerning social and cultural infrastructure is that we do not

really know what exists in the region because a comprehensive audit of social and cultural facility and

services needs has never been undertaken. In contrast to the sports and recreation area, participation data

is not available for community and cultural activities in the region.

Nevertheless, community participation across the region in the arts and cultural activities appears to be quite

strong and growing. There are active arts, crafts, theatre, photographic, writing, historical and other groups

in many townships – particularly at Whyalla and Port Lincoln.

These groups seem to be surviving quite well in makeshift and less than adequate facilities. Several plans

are in progress to make some community facilities more suitable for operational needs by way of ‘adapt-for-

better-use’ renovations.


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6. REGIONAL ISSUES

ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY

AGRICULTURE

Eyre Peninsula’s farmers are world leaders in the successful application of dry land farming techniques. The

region’s farms have made a significant investment into adopting new technologies. Sustainable management

practices have increased the production performance of farms.

The agricultural sector is challenged by changing seasonal conditions, new technology, natural resource

management pressures, increasing input costs, market deregulation, changing consumer preferences and

the high valuation of the Australian dollar.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation has estimated that the world population will rise by a third to 9.1

billion by 2050, resulting in the need for a 70% increase in food production. Eyre Peninsula’s agricultural

sector will have an important role to play as a net producer of grains, legumes and red meat products. In

order to sustain and increase the supply of food produce the region will need to improve production. This will

require farmers to adapt new research and technology and grow products that are more resilient to varying

climatic conditions and market forces.

Confronted with climate change and escalating global competition, Eyre Peninsula’s farming sector needs to

diversify. Industry growth is being threatened by a reduction in government investment in research

development and extension programs. This shortfall in funding may curb the adoption of new farm

management practices and impact the overall benefits of research development for the sector. The reduced

investment might also have a negative effect on productivity, sustainability and profitability in the longer term.

An extension of the South Australian moratorium on research and the commercial introduction of Genetic

Modified Organisms (GMO’s) into the grains industry, has potential to threaten the future benefits that GMO’s

might provide. In particular, the introduction of GMO’s into the region may assist industry to address changes

in climatic conditions and meet the demand for increased production of grains and other agricultural

products.

Eyre Peninsula has traditionally relied on the performance of the agriculture and fishing sectors as the main

backbone of the region’s economy. The commodities produced by both sectors are primarily set for export

markets and are therefore susceptible to foreign exchange fluctuations in the global economy. The lack of a

diversified, broad industry base means that exchange fluctuations have a direct impact on the performance

of the regional economy.

Increased development to diversify the region’s economic base in aquaculture, mining, renewable energy,

tourism, and branding the region’s produce will be the critical success factor to reduce economic vulnerability

and ensure the future economic growth.


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FISHING AND AQUACULTURE – THE INTRODUCTION OF MARINE PARKS

The proposed establishment of a marine park network around Eyre Peninsula’s coastline may have a

significant economic impact on coastal communities and industry sectors including wild catch fisheries,

aquaculture, recreational fishing and tourism. The wild catch and aquaculture industries will bear most of the

impact as these sectors derive their incomes directly from the region’s marine resources. There is

widespread concern that the introduction of the marine park network will put these industries and the

communities in which they operate in an economically vulnerable position.

The main argument against the marine park system is that the region’s commercial fishing sectors will be at

risk of losing vital fishing grounds. It is feared that the reduction of commercial and recreational access to

marine park areas will effectively force fishing effort to be concentrated into smaller, defined areas of marine

waters. This will arguably result in the over fishing of these areas and cause serious long term damage to the

health of the fisheries.

It is also feared that the introduction of the marine parks will result in the displacement of some fishing

operations with a subsequent reduction in the number of fishing licences in the region.

The establishment of 11 out of the 19 Marine Parks proposed along the Eyre Peninsula coastline will have a

significant economic impact on coastal communities given that most are reliant on commercial fishing and

recreational tourism as key income generating activities. An initial economic impact report has projected a

worst case scenario of a 20% reduction in output resulting in the loss of 605 jobs and $94.2 million to the

regional economy. The best case scenario is a loss of 448 jobs and $67.7 million to the region.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Projections to 2070 show a warmer future with the best estimate showing increased drying. Adapting to and

managing the impact of climate change is no longer a question of ‘if’ but rather ‘how’, ‘where’ and ‘how fast’.

(Planning SA). Forecasts suggest that the impacts of climate change could result in changes to the marine

and coastal environment. Potential problems include rising sea levels (which might affect coastal residential

and tourism developments), rising sea temperatures (causing thermal expansion of the upper layers of the

oceans), increased seawater acidification (due to higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels), altered ocean

currents, changes in upwelling events and impacts to fisheries productivity.

Predicted drier weather patterns and increased wind and storm damage are likely to impact cropping land,

arable land and farming practices in the region. The effects could include shorter growing periods for native

plant and animal species as well as agriculture, fishery and aquaculture resources.

Water resources are likely to be further strained, with a decline in annual rainfall and higher evaporation

rates leading to less runoff to streams and estuaries. Droughts are expected to be more frequent and more

severe (Commonwealth Government 2006).

The region will need to mitigate the effects of climate change on its industry sectors and natural resources by

adapting to the changing conditions. In particular, the region’s agricultural industry will need to consider how

it is going to respond to the combined challenges of a changing climate and global market forces. There has

already been considerable investigation into responding to drought, building adaptive farming systems and

anticipating climate change. However, the true potential of those initiatives is often not realised as they occur

in isolation47.


Management Board


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Broad acre agriculture is at the greatest risk. The longer-term outlook of increased temperatures of 2°C and

a reduction of 5% in rainfall over the next 30 years will challenge the risk profile of the grain industry. To

mitigate the risk and potential loss of economic production it is vital that industries are able to embrace new

technologies and research. The adaptation of new plant varieties with shorter growing periods and

conservation tillage will be critical to address the changing climatic conditions. Ongoing investment into new

farm management practices will be critical to the sustainability of the region’s agriculture industry.

The table below presents projected average temperature and rainfall changes for Eyre Peninsula at 2030

and 2070 if atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are not stabilised at any defined limit. Climatic Range Annual Summer Autumn Winter Spring

Warming by 2030 (°c) 0.4 to 1.2 0.4 to 1.3 0.4 to 1.1 0.4 to 1.2 0.4 to 1.3

Warming by 2070 (°c) 0.9 to 3.5 0.8 to 4.0 0.8 to 3.5 0.8 to 3.6 0.9 to 3.8

Rainfall changes in percentage by 2030 (°c)

-10 to -1 -9 to +4 -10 to +3 -12 to -2 -20 to -2

Rainfall changes in percentage by 2070 (°c)

-30 to -2 -25 to +13 -30 to +8 -35 to -4 -60 to -4

Source: Suppiah et al (2006)

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

The relationship between environmental management, ecological sustainability and economic development

is an important strategic planning consideration for the region. The RDAWEP Board is adamant that this

regional profile sets the framework to find the right balance between competing priorities.

As the key economic and regional development agency, RDAWEP has entered an agreement with the State

Government, the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Board (EPNRM) and the Eyre Peninsula

Local Government Association (EPLGA) to undertake a high level integrated approach to provide strategic

direction for the region in tackling the social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change. The

agreement acknowledges a joint commitment to respond to climate change by focusing on adaption

strategies and identifying economic development opportunities.

RDAWEP recognises the EPNRM 10-year strategic plan, Sustaining our land, water and coast for the

management of the natural resources of Eyre Peninsula, as a key document to guide the actions of

organisations and individuals to optimise environmental management and the ecological sustainability of the

region. Under the agreement, the parties will:

• Identify and promote economic opportunities in the renewable energy industry, water, transport and

infrastructure,

• Recognise differences across the region and facilitate geographically specific responses to climate

change,

• Work together to support a better understanding of climate change risks and issues for communities,

• Collaborate in efforts to undertake a regional approach to adaptive option assessments as a first

step to implement the State’s first regional adaptation plan,

• Better facilitate community engagement and participation in programs designed to promote

behaviour change,

• Explore potential for joint projects and Commonwealth funding opportunities, and

• Promote and showcase regional achievements as a template for other regional areas of South

Australia.


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Economic opportunities related to climate change were identified as:

• Adaptation opportunities including sustainable fishing, aquaculture and farming systems,

• Renewable energy projects,

• Biofuel projects,

• Installation of High Voltage Direct Current transmission lines to support renewable electricity

transmission in the region,

• Strengthening the market position of the region through the adoption of environmentally sustainable

power generation,

• Supporting the development of a renewable energy industry through investment attraction and

employment, and

• Mining.

In addition to the Climate Change agreement, RDAWEP established a number of target teams to tackle

various environmentally related matters.

The Drought Task Force (originally established by the former Eyre Regional Development Board) linked local

government, natural resource management and regional development organisations together to address

drought related issues. The Drought Task Force ended its role in June 2011 and, in July 2011, RDAWEP

began the process of establishing an Agriculture Target Team in order to ensure that the agriculture industry

has an ongoing link with the region’s political structure.

The main role of the Agricultural Target Team is to link RDAWEP with major regional groups including the

Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management and the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association in

order to proactively improve agriculture to become a more sustainable industry. Target Team activity will

include assisting RDAWEP to prepare a high level regional plan for the agricultural sector and linking the

identified priorities to the Board’s Regional Strategic Plan. The Agricultural Target Team will also provide

strategic advice on issues affecting the economic performance of the agriculture sector and advice on how to

optimise and develop agriculture infrastructure and resources across the region.

THE IMPACT OF THE CARBON TAX ON THE REGION

The Australian Government announced the details of the carbon tax on 10th July 2011.

Under the scheme, high polluting industries that produce at least 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year

will have to pay a cost of $23 per tonne for the pollution generated. The carbon tax price will increase by

2.5% per annum over the next two years to $24.15 per tonne in 2013-14 and $25.40 in 2014-15. This

scheme will directly affect about 500 companies and will continue until July 2015 when a market based

emissions trading scheme will commence.

The impact of the carbon tax on domestic households will be alleviated by different government

compensation packages called the Clean Energy Supplement, which is comprised of means tested income

tax cuts along with increased family, pensioner and other allowances etc. It is estimated that approximately

90% of households will receive some form of financial assistance to relieve the carbon tax burden.

Agriculture

The agricultural industry is exempt from the carbon tax scheme. There is nevertheless concern among

farmers in the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region that increased farm operating costs will still be

experienced due to the rising costs of freight (shipping, rail and air), aerial spraying and other costs being

passed on to farms by other business operators. Treasury and Farm Institute modelling indicates that the

average impact on farms from the carbon tax could be in the region of $1,000 per annum.


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However, farmers can reduce this cost by way of carbon storing and the sale of carbon credits via the

Government Biodiversity Fund and Carbon Farming Futures program. Carbon credits can be generated

through:

• Planting forests and plantations,

• Reducing methane emissions from animals,

• Reducing nitrous oxide emissions from fertilisers,

• Reducing emissions from savannah burning,

• Management of native forests,

• Revegetation of high conservation areas, and

• Culling of feral animals.

Some of these options are more practicable than others.

Sustainability and Biodiversity

Nearly $1 billion has been allocated in a biodiversity fund to help farmers and community groups look after

the ecosystem, eradicate invasive species and pursue climate change actions. This funding – which will be

available during the forward estimates period of 2011-2015 and be managed by local NRM Boards - may

provide opportunities for farmers in the region to further diversify their land management practices to achieve

greater sustainability in their enterprises.

Steel Industry

It was feared that the carbon tax would have a devastating impact on the high polluting smelting and steel

industries, especially at Whyalla where OneSteel employs over 2,500 people. But steel, aluminium and

cement manufacturing industries will have the impact softened by way of compensation equivalent to 94.5%

of their carbon costs, with the compensation reducing by 1.3% per annum. This will effectively mitigate the

carbon costs for these industries over the next four years until the emissions trading scheme commences.

Given the number of people employed by OneSteel, the impact of the carbon tax would have been

devastating on Whyalla without the compensation component. But the carbon tax will have an impact on

other areas of the regional economy, particularly small business which is unable to pass on the cost impacts.

While recognising the compensation package for OneSteel, any additional cost will have a direct impact on

the company’s competitiveness when competing with global supplies in the national steel market.

Steel production is critical to the future growth of this region and, at present, there is no known technology

that can reduce carbon emissions globally in the manufacture of steel.

Road Transport

From 2012-13 some businesses will face an effective carbon price on their use of transport fuels through

reduced fuel tax credits. Agriculture, fishing and forestry will be exempt from the reduction and will

therefore be shielded from the carbon price on their transport fuel costs.

Road transport over 4.5 tonnes will not receive fuel tax credits so there will be increased fuel costs for

transportation across the region (although this will not come into effect until 2014-15). Given the long

distances that need to be travelled to get product from the region to Adelaide based markets, the cost impact

on transportation costs could be substantial. The cost estimate has yet to be quantified.


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Impact on Exports

The Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association has argued that the carbon tax will have a

significant impact on the export industry due to increased production costs (fuel, electricity, transport etc.).

Whereas the impact of the carbon tax on domestic households will be alleviated by the Clean Energy

Supplement the tuna industry has argued that it will either:

• Have to pass the full cost increase on to overseas consumers at the considerable risk of becoming

less competitive, or

• Bear the brunt of the cost increases themselves.

The tuna industry has indicated its intention to pursue this matter with the Australian Government, on the

grounds that the needs of exporters should be reconsidered as part of the carbon tax scheme.

Domestic Air Travel

There will be a cost increase in the price of domestic aviation fuel as airlines will not receive any form of

transitional assistance to offset the carbon tax burden. Both Qantas and Virgin have consequently indicated

that they will pass the full cost of the carbon tax onto consumers, which will result in an average fare

increase of about $3.50 per single ticket.

Regional Express has yet to make a financial statement about this matter, but has indicated that the carbon

tax may result in a loss of air services to some marginal regional towns.

Financial modelling for the redevelopment of Port Lincoln Airport indicates that passenger numbers will be

impacted by the price of airline tickets. That is, for every 1% change to the average airfare (up or down)

there will be a corresponding change to passenger numbers of 2% (up or down).

An increase of $3.50 per single ticket on the Adelaide Port Lincoln route (an increase of approximately 2.9%

of an average fare) could potentially result in the loss of about 5,000 passengers per annum. There would

be a further loss of passengers from the Adelaide-Whyalla and Adelaide–Ceduna routes.

This passenger loss is more likely to occur from the tourism sector (rather than the business sector) because

tourists are known to be very price sensitive regarding airfares. If this were the case, there will be a

consequential flow-on effect resulting in a loss of trade in the tourism charter, accommodation, hospitality

and service sectors across the region.

Renewable Energy

An integral part of the Government’s Clean Energy Future scheme is to promote innovation and investment

in renewable energy. The scheme includes different elements for this purpose including:

• The establishment of a commercially orientated Clean Energy Finance Corporation managed by an

independent Board that will invest $10 billion in renewable energy, low pollution and energy efficient

technologies. The corporation will drive innovation in clean energy projects through loans, loan

guarantees and equity investments especially when commercial banks are unwilling to fund projects.

• The creation of an independent Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to manage the

Clean Energy Finance Corporation and coordinate $3.2 billion in existing grant funding to support

new technologies from research and development to market application.


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The Australian Government’s renewable energy target is that 20% of Australia’s electricity will come from

renewable sources by 2020. It is already recognised that the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region has the

natural resource attributes to help meet this target. The renewable energy funding may consequently

provide additional opportunities to manifest the region’s renewable energy potential.

A key factor in this regard, however, is the provision of funding to upgrade the transmission infrastructure so

that existing wind farms in the region can operate at full capacity. There is simply no point in establishing

new renewable energy operations if the available infrastructure is incapable of transmitting the energy

generated.

MINERALS AND RESOURCES SECTOR

The region’s emerging mining industry is significant with a number of new operations in the process of being

developed. This valuable new activity is diversifying the region’s economic base from traditional primary

industries and boosting local employment opportunities in the region.

The successful transition from exploration to mining operation will depend on mining companies and State

and Federal Governments being able to collaborate effectively on strategic mining infrastructure investment.

The provision of efficient supply chain and export facilities in the region will ensure that the industry is able to

compete at a global level.

The investment into essential mining infrastructure includes water, electricity supply, road and rail transport

and strategic port facilities to provide cost effective export capacity.

The mining industry supports the re-development of the Port of Thevenard on western Eyre Peninsula. The

upgrade of this port facility is critical to the further growth of mining in the western and north western parts of

the region.

A new port is being proposed at Sheep Hill, north of Tumby Bay, as a strategic mineral export hub to service

mining on the lower, eastern and central region of the Eyre Peninsula.

Mining companies have also expressed interest in seeing the development of a bulk ore loading facility near

Whyalla to cater for mines that are currently under development to the north of the city. To date, two sites

have been promoted. One of these sites – Port Bonython - has been included on the Infrastructure

Australia priority projects list. The mining industry will not achieve its expected export outcomes unless a

bulk ore loading facility is built in the Whyalla area.

Due to the limited water resources in the region, the provision of new water supplies through desalination is

essential to the establishment of new mining ventures. Collaboration between stakeholders will be essential

to determine the best location and the capacity of water desalination plants.

TOURISM

Tourism is a tough and highly competitive business. Like all regions, the Eyre Peninsula is facing increasing

competition to maintain and grow tourism activity.

Eyre Peninsula’s tourism industry is largely comprised of individual micro businesses operating in a range of

service sectors including accommodation, tour operations, food production and hospitality. To compete in

this competitive environment means that the region’s tourism stakeholders must be prepared to continually

adapt and change. This change will only happen if the fundamental infrastructure and capacity exists to

support the industry moving forward. In recent years it has become evident that there are some serious

disparities in infrastructure, business capability and workforce capacity across the region.


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Key issues affecting the economic vulnerability of small businesses in the tourism industry include:

Access to the region’s target market (marketing and infrastructure)

• The loss of the Spencer Gulf Ferry Service has made access to the region more difficult for self-drive

visitors.

• There is a lack of general awareness in the market place about the Eyre Peninsula and its attractions.

• The region attracts a high volume of low yield visitors - typically self-drive caravan and motor home

travellers. This market sector spends very little money on tours, accommodation and dining and is

therefore considered low yield in terms of economic impact in the region.

• Low numbers of high yield visitors are coming to the region. There is a lack of targeted investment into

marketing aimed at the baby boomers. This segment has disposable income and is therefore willing to

spend money on activities and accommodation whilst on holiday.

• There is increased competition for the high yield target market - particularly with overseas holidays

becoming more affordable due to the stronger $Au and competitive airfares.

• The domestic self-drive holiday sector is being impacted due to the high cost of fuel.

Product development

• The vast and remote nature of the region and the number, and variety of attractions on offer calls for a

collaborative “experience based” marketing approach to showcase the region as a holiday destination.

This will encourage increased visitation and longer stays.

• Eyre Peninsula tourism businesses will gain leverage through product cooperation to make a more

compelling offer to tourists rather than spending marketing dollars to promote individual businesses.

Economic Constraints

• The economic downturn from the global financial crisis has depressed consumer confidence and the

willingness to spend on leisure activities.

• Small businesses do not have the finances to improve their operations.

• The problem of attracting and retaining staff due to seasonal operations and inconsistent work hours is a

major issue for small businesses. These businesses are competing with more lucrative employment

opportunities in other sectors such as minerals and resources.

SMALL BUSINESS AND RETAIL

The region’s small business sector forms the business backbone of the rural economy. The small business

and retail sector has faced numerous challenges with respect to economic vulnerability including:

• The global financial crisis has led to an economic downturn resulting in depressed consumer confidence

and willingness to spend on discretionary items.

• Decreased consumer confidence in the local community as a result of pressures placed on key industry

sectors including:

- Years of drought and poor commodity pricing in the agriculture industry.

- The reduction in fishing industry quotas.

- Rising input costs in the fishing, aquaculture and agriculture industries.

- The strengthening $A negatively impacting export associated industries.

- Exposure to global market forces on pricing of Eyre Peninsula commodities.

• Financial Institutions have tightened lending to small businesses for the improvement and expansion of

operations.

• The entry of big retailers such as Target and Kmart into the region has placed enormous competitive

pressures on small specialty stores.


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WATER RESOURCES SUPPLY

Eyre Peninsula does not have abundant natural water resources. SA Water introduced water restrictions in

2002, which will continue to remain in place until an alternative water supply is secured.

New subdivisions are increasingly incorporating the capture and use of stormwater and Councils across the

region are driving water catchment and re-use strategies to irrigate open space and sporting complexes.

The Whyalla water re-use scheme is about to be extended. The Port Lincoln scheme is at the third

development stage and the Ceduna scheme is ready to be commissioned. However, with forecast

population growth and increasing water requirements for the region’s industry sectors it has been identified

that the existing potable water supply will fall well short of fulfilling these needs and that additional water

catchment and filtering options need to be investigated.

The risks and potential impacts of climate change are also a major challenge for water provision in the

region. Research indicates that annual rainfall in the upper Eyre Peninsula will most likely decline by 2030 by

about 5%, with a 1 in 10 chance that it will be 10% drier and 1 in 10 chance that it will be 2-5% wetter48.

Water supply is arguably the most important issue that will impact the future growth and prosperity of the

region. The SA Government released the Eyre Peninsula Demand and Water Supply Statement in April

2011, which identified that the demand for quality drinking water will exceed supply between 2017-23. An

Independent Planning Process is therefore required to assess future supply options, but it is anticipated that

this process will not be instigated until 2012-13.

There is growing local demand for the establishment of a desalination plant by 2014 to provide an additional

2.2GL and potentially up to 5GL of water to supplement the existing supply. A desalination option is

included in a long term water supply plan for the region however the appropriate location for the plant has yet

to be determined.

It should be noted that the proposed desalination plant will not provide water for mining operations. The SA

Water master plan requires mining companies to make provision for their own needs. The desalination of

sea water and brackish water are the only options under investigation to support these developments. In

view of pending mining and other developments across the region it has been estimated that an additional

supply of about 30 gigalitres of water will be required for industrial purposes within the next 5 years.

BHP has proposed the construction of a desalination plant at Point Lowly. BHP has indicated that the plant

will produce about 80 megalitres of extra water per day that will be available for industrial and other use. It

should be noted however, that this water will be of industrial standard and will not be potable and the cost of

accessing this water has yet to be determined.

However, there is community and fishing industry concern about the possible impact of salinity discharge

into the gulf. The potential impact on the Upper Spencer Gulf prawn fishery is a major concern as is the

possible impact on the unique breeding grounds of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish – sepia apama – in the

shallow waters near Whyalla. There is consequently a polarisation of views regarding the economic benefits

of the desalination plant on the one hand and the environmental consequences on the other. The opinion

of the City of Whyalla will be critical to the outcome of the debate.

Other desalination options – e.g. stand alone plants (such as the F-Cubed Water System) on the west coast

of Eyre Peninsula – have also been proposed, but there is considerable concern regarding access to and

use of SA Water infrastructure for reticulation.


Management Board


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On the lower Eyre Peninsula, an aquifer under Coffin Bay National Park is known to have an abundance of

quality water, but there are issues concerning the environmental damage that might be caused to the park

from drilling operations needed to establish a series of pumping stations to commission the system.

ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION

The Eyre Peninsula power distribution system has limited capacity to accommodate additional demand

without augmentation upgrades and investment. This is particularly the case at the extremities of the

transmission system, which cannot accommodate load increases of any significant magnitude. For

example, the transmission line west of Wudinna is at full capacity and is in very bad condition.

Although the region has significant potential to become a major exporter of renewable power it is currently

constrained by the high voltage transmission infrastructure of 132 kV which has reached maximum capacity.

The consequence is that the wind farms at Cathedral Rocks and Mount Millar cannot operate at full capacity

because the transmission system cannot cater for additional power inputs.

This issue can be addressed through the construction of a triangular high voltage transmission system to

provide long term security to the network, in addition to supplying the capacity to export renewable energy to

South Australia and interstate.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable energy has the potential to be a major industry in the region due to natural assets including

consistent wind resources, sunshine and high wave energy action along the west coast. The region is rated

in the top ten locations in the world for the production of renewable wind energy, with effective energy

production nominated at 42-48%. The area is isolated with a landscape that is suitable to accommodate

large scale wind farms for the production of an estimated 2000 MV of renewable energy.

Eyre Peninsula’s climate provides an estimated 300 cloud free days per annum, particularly in the northern

parts of the region which would support a large scale solar energy farm.

The region has an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the Government’s legislated target of

providing 20% of national energy generation through renewable energy by 2020. However, an upgrade of

the transmission system will be essential to achieve this goal.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

The RDAWEP Board has identified that the use of nuclear energy should not be discounted and be reserved

as a possible longer term option.

This decision was made in recognition of the potential and extraordinary amount of power that may be

needed in the future to accommodate mining growth in the region. RDAWEP will therefore monitor

information about nuclear power for future consideration.

FOWLERS BAY POWER SUPPLY

Located 150kms west of Ceduna, Fowlers Bay is a small and remote community with a permanent

population of around 20 people. The township consists of 77 allotments with about 40 permanent houses

and 50 landholders owning property. There are six commercial businesses including a 27 powered site

caravan park, 9 holiday units, 1 bed and breakfast, a general store/ kiosk and 2 tourism charter operators.


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Fowlers Bay has become a popular tourism destination for self drive travellers and fishing holidays with the

community swelling to just over 100 people during the spring, summer and autumn months and school

holidays.

The town is not connected to a mains power. This is restricting growth and expansion of the town as a

tourism destination and base for nearby mining operations.

Power is currently provided by way of privately owned diesel generators. Residents pay for their own diesel

which means the cost of power provision is subject to fluctuating fuel prices. This form of supply is not the

most efficient in terms of cost and the carbon footprint on the environment.

PORT NEILL POWER SUPPLY

Electricity distribution in the township of Port Neill is operating at full capacity. The limited single-phase

power supply and absence of a three-phase power connection to the town is affecting the growth of housing

and constraining the expansion of business and industry.

The township’s electricity supply is provided by the ETSA electricity distribution network, consisting of three

single phase lines, each with an individual capacity of 11 Kva. These single-phase lines run in parallel from

a nearby substation at Lipson. Each line provides supply to a specific part of the Port Neill township.

NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE

The gas pipeline under the Spencer Gulf to Whyalla is now at full capacity, which is an impediment to

industrial development. Additional gas supply is required for three pending industrial developments at

Whyalla: Arafura (rare earths processing), DEEPAK (Ammonia processing) and ARCHAEN (urea

processing).

One of the key issues for these developments is that, under existing infrastructure arrangements, the first

operation to be established will be required to meet the full cost of the providing the gas infrastructure. The

three businesses are consequently reluctant to commit at this stage and development negotiations are at a

stand still.

It has been known for quite some time that a duplicate gas pipeline is needed to meet industrial demand. In

2004 the Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group, commissioned a research study into this matter.

“The Case for Increasing Natural Gas to the Upper Spencer Gulf” concluded that the gas pipeline to Pt Pirie

is nearly at capacity (at the time), limiting the development of industries requiring gas at both Pt Pirie and

Whyalla. The study recommended that:

• Duplication of the gas pipeline to Port Pirie is required, at a cost of $20 to $30 million.

• The duplicate pipeline needs to be large enough to meet potential future demand in the Upper Spencer

Gulf region.

• The cost of gas in the Upper Spencer Gulf must be competitive to attract industry.

• Due to uncertainty about the long term gas demand and probable low financial return, a commercial

pipeline developer is unlikely to build a pipeline with suitable capacity or deliver gas at a competitive

price.

• There is a role for Government to facilitate the development of regional infrastructure. The benefits

include regional economic growth, environmental benefits for SA as a whole, and potential longer term

returns to the State on capital invested.


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BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE

The Eyre Peninsula region has been identified in a Commonwealth report “Telecommunications

Infrastructure Report Card 2007” as one of three regions in Australia to have the worst level of

communications infrastructure. Eyre Peninsula is rated alongside the Northern Territory, and western New

South Wales.

Based on 2006 Census data, it is estimated that around 37% of the Eyre Peninsula population does not have

access to a broadband service. This was the situation after the 2006 round of ADSL enablement by Telstra.

Even though mobile phone services now cover most of the region via the Telstra Next G network, there are

still many black spots where it is not possible to get mobile phone or wireless broadband services.

The roll-out of the National Broadband Network (NBN) is critical to providing essential communications

infrastructure across the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region. However, there is concern that NBN will only

be provided to the larger towns and that other townships will be relegated to the use of inferior satellite

services.

NBN intends to connect 93% of homes, businesses and schools with fibre to the premises technology but

the remainder – which includes the bulk of remote communities – will be served by a combination of next-

generation fixed wireless and satellite technologies. The interim satellite service to rural and remote areas

became available in July 2011 replacing the Australian Broadband Guarantee scheme. The long term

satellite service will be launched in 2015.

There is concern that the inferior satellite service may disadvantage some businesses and households

across the region. Whereas fibre to the premises technology will provide broadband speeds of up to 100

megabits per second, the wireless and satellite services will provide download speeds of 12 megabits per

second. This will be slower for the interim satellite service which will offer download speeds of 6 megabits

per second.

Even though NBN will vastly improve communications there is concern that satellite services will not

adequately meet the longer term needs of business and households in parts of the region.

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE: PORT FACILITIES

The Eyre Peninsula Master Plan 2009 summarised the key issues for Eyre Peninsula’s ports as:

• There is a need to provide and maintain quality port infrastructure including loading and storage facilities

and rail and road access.

• Existing ports lack the capacity to store and transfer product for potential mineral developments in the

region.

• Ports have the potential for conflict and cross contamination between different commodities.

• Existing infrastructure will incur additional costs to shippers through loading delays (demurrage).

PORT LINCOLN

Port Lincoln is Eyre Peninsula’s major deep water port. However, the limited size of the site, multiple

ownership of infrastructure and conflicting user requirements make for a very congested facility. Future

operations at the port are forecast to be far greater and more diverse than current demand.

Without future investment into the port’s supply chain infrastructure the congestion issues between grain,

minerals and other product handling activities will continue to worsen.


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Rail unloading operations at the Port will become increasingly inefficient as larger vessel sizes demand

greater loading rates. Growing fishing and aquaculture activity will have very limited access to wharf space at

the port. The pending introduction of iron ore exports at the wharf will exacerbate the congestion and

contamination issues that are already of concern to users. The key issues for the port are:

• There is insufficient area for mineral storage near the wharf.

• Rail infrastructure is ageing.

• Grain deliveries with B-double vehicles cause traffic problems through the city and at the wharf.

• There is difficulty in maintaining efficient grain delivery with the use of long grain trains.

• The port has inadequate rail unloading areas.

• There is concern about contamination risks to grain from minerals exports.

• There are potential conflicts between port operations and adjacent residential growth.

• Tension exists between commercial port operations and fishing industry needs49.

PORT OF THEVENARD

The Port of Thevenard is the major port on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula. The Port was established as

the main commercial harbour for the west coast providing an export terminal for the grain industry. Since

then it has developed into a major multi-commodity port with gypsum, salt and grain all being exported

through the facility. In 2007, 2.1 million tonnes of cargo was exported. Multi-use problems at the port have

been exacerbated with the recent export of mineral sands from the facility. A number of issues have been

identified regarding the current and future operation of the port, including:

• The limitation of Thevenard’s maximum channel draft (8.2m) in providing access for larger shipping

vessels.

• Growing world wide demand for larger shipping vessels for improved economic operations.

• Limited capacity and reach of the ship loader.

• The need to provide and maintain quality support infrastructure to enable efficient import and export

activities at the wharf.

• Potential conflict and cross contamination of multiple commodity products.

• Ageing rail infrastructure.

• The lack of additional storage areas.

• Increasing freight charges.

• Capacity limitation reflected in higher unit costs for freight.

• Two port loading charges50.

COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY UNLOADING FACILITIES EYRE PENINSULA (CEDUNA and PORT LINCOLN)

The ports of Port Lincoln and Thevenard have to date been used as the main unloading facilities for the

fishing industry on Eyre Peninsula. Vessels operating in the Spencer Gulf and the Great Australian Bight use

both ports on a regular basis to unload seafood product, re-fuel, obtain supplies and undertake crew

changeovers. The industry has relied on access to both ports as they are the only facilities in the region with

the capacity to handle large commercial fishing vessels.

Both ports are not set up for commercial fishing activities and fishing operations cause congestion with bulk

cargo vessels. Mining export operations will exacerbate this situation.




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Bulk shipping operations at both ports have priority over fishing fleet use of wharf infrastructure. Fishing

vessels have therefore had no other choice but to work around cargo vessels. This causes operational

inefficiencies, and fishing vessels are at times ‘squeezed out’ to allow larger shipping vessels to berth. The

fishing fleet also has to contend with increased commercial shipping movements, an increased security

regime, the risk of cross contamination with minerals and grain products, and growing wharf congestion.

Whilst the status quo remains it is clear from research that the guarantee for future access is extremely

uncertain for the fishing industry. This lack of secure tenure poses a potential risk to the commercial fishing

industry, highlighting the need for relocation to more appropriate port facilities51.

The RDAWEP Board has also identified that unloading facilities may be needed in the future at Arno Bay

and Cowell, and that fishing operations along the west coast of Eyre Peninsula would be greatly assisted

with better access to fuel supplies at either Streaky Bay or Venus Bay.

EYRE PENINSULA RAIL NETWORK

The Eyre Peninsula railway system is an ageing narrow gauge railway line that is not connected to the

national standard gauge network. The Wudinna to Port Lincoln rail line is the only part of the region’s rail

network to have been recently refurbished.

Grain train operations have been curtailed at Buckleboo/Kimba on the eastern line and Wudinna to

Thevenard on the western line. The line north of Ungarra is in very poor condition and the Kapinnie line has

been closed. Although these rail lines are now dormant the rail owner is required under the lease

agreement with the South Australian Government to keep them maintained in a ‘fit for purpose’ state to allow

for the transfer of rail vehicles along the line.

The curtailment of parts of the rail network has resulted in grain being hauled across the region from rail

depots to ports by truck which is placing additional pressure on the local road network52.

Mining development across the region has exacerbated the need to upgrade rail infrastructure as mining

operations have a preference for rail (and slurry, where possible) over road cartage. In order to meet future

mining needs there is a need to establish new rail corridors. This includes a new line from Ungarra to the

proposed port at Sheep Hill and a line from Whyalla to Port Bonython. There is also arguably a need to for a

standard gauge rail link between Whyalla and Sheep Hill and Whyalla and Kimba so that the region is

connected to the state standard gauge system.

THEVENARD TO KEVIN (PENONG) RAILWAY LINE

The Thevenard to Kevin rail line is the western most part of the Eyre Peninsula rail network and is the

busiest section of line carrying 1.8 million tonnes of gypsum annually from the Kevin mine to Thevenard.

The poor condition of the rail line has resulted significant weight, volume and speed restrictions, placing

extreme limitations on freight capacity. The line is currently operating at full capacity with no capability to

handle the forecast demand for additional tonnages of gypsum and other products (such as potential future

use for cartage of mineral sands).

Significant upgrading of the rail line is required to ensure that existing freight levels can be sustained. The

upgrade should allow for future growth in freight volumes and include a more efficient rolling stock

configuration53.


52 Transport, Energy, Water, Telecommunications Infrastructure Report Card 2010, South Australia, Engineers Australia


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The Port Lincoln Airport is South Australia’s largest and busiest regional airport servicing regular passenger

transport (RPT), charters, medical retrieval services and general aviation operations. Regional Express and

QantasLink provide 72 passenger services per week between Port Lincoln and Adelaide. Passenger

numbers have grown by 108% over the past ten years resulting in passengers of over 200,000 per annum.

The 2005 Port Lincoln Airport Master Plan predicted continuing growth with a projection of 280,000

passengers per annum through the Port Lincoln facility by 2025. The Master Plan identified the need for

significant investment to be made into the airport infrastructure to cater for future passenger growth.

Since Port Lincoln Airport was acquired from the Commonwealth Government in 1994, the District Council of

Lower Eyre Peninsula has undertaken a number of infrastructure improvements and commissioned

numerous feasibility studies to improve operations at the facility, including several design studies for a new

terminal building. However, with the extent of passenger growth experienced, it became evident that the

existing airport infrastructure was grossly inadequate and that a major redevelopment was necessary to

meet user demand and provide the level and quality of services that the community expected from a regional

facility. The new security requirements for regional airports – i.e. facilities for passenger and carry-on

baggage screening - introduced by the Australian Government that need to be implemented by July 2012

made the airport upgrade urgent. The upgrade involves:

- Construction of a new terminal building (inclusive of security screening),

- Provision of a new taxiway and apron extension,

- Reconfiguration of the airport entrance road, landscaping and provision of a larger car parking area, and

- Associated upgrades to lighting and electrical infrastructure.

The estimated total project cost is $12.7 million. At the time of preparing this Regional Profile the project

had received over $1 million in funding from the South Australian Government and an application for $4.5

million from the Regional Development Australia Fund was pending. The project is on target to meet the

timeline for new security screening obligations and be completed by mid 2012.

CEDUNA AIRPORT

The infrastructure at Ceduna Airport is now at full capacity, particularly during peak service periods. Ceduna

has become the main service base for the $2 billion Iluka Resources Jacinth and Ambrosia mineral sands

mine due to proximity to the deposit. The mine has had a significant impact on Ceduna with 120 people

being employed at the site since the mine became operational in 2008-9. Ceduna Airport is being used for

the fly-in fly-out workforce.

The redevelopment of the airport is essential to meet the growing needs of the mining, tourism, aquaculture,

building and construction industries. Ceduna District Council has prepared a Master Plan for the facility

upgrade because the infrastructure is clearly inadequate for existing and projected use. The Master Plan

recommended that a three staged redevelopment be undertaken to include the construction of a new

terminal building inclusive of security screening equipment, provision of a new taxi way, apron, and new

runway and construction of associated commercial servicing facilities.

However, Ceduna Council has advised that the master plan concept is being reviewed to determine a more

cost effective option. The possibility of operating the airport via Adelaide Airport management is being

investigated as part of this process.



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WHYALLA AIRPORT

In view of unprecedented interest and potential industrial and mining growth at Whyalla the upgrade of

Whyalla Airport is now becoming urgent. The terminal building and runway need to be upgraded to

accommodate fly-in and fly-out mining staff. The pending need for passenger and carry-on baggage security

screening at regional airports has also accelerated the project importance.

The City of Whyalla has confirmed that it is also negotiating with Adelaide Airport management about the

possible future management of Whyalla Airport.

ROADS

The maintenance and upgrade of road infrastructure is a major issue for local government and the

agriculture, mining and tourism industries. The vast majority of the local government roads have not been

designed for heavy vehicles and the large loads they carry. With increasing grain production and the

emergence of the mining industry, it is expected that greater freight volumes will move over the road

network. It is also noted that the poor quality of some roads is having a negative impact on trucks and

reducing the life of rigs.

Road maintenance is becoming increasingly problematic for local Councils as they do not have the capability

to fully fund road maintenance. Deterioration of the road network is highly likely unless there is an injection

of increased funding for capital works and major road upgrades54. It has also been identified that there is a

need to rationalise and plan road train routes across and within Council boundaries.

The competing road use needs of the agricultural and mining industries and tourism – especially for tourists

driving caravans and recreation vehicles – is a key concern for many people. There is a growing desire for

mining and agriculture to move from B-double to B-triple vehicles to reduce transportation costs. This has

given rise to a call for more overtaking lanes to be constructed on highways, notably between Whyalla and

Port Augusta and Port Augusta and Ceduna.

HEAVY VEHICLE MOVEMENT THROUGH THE CITY OF PORT LINCOLN

There is arguably a need for heavy vehicle by-pass routes in Port Lincoln, Kimba, Cowell, Cleve, Cummins

and Wudinna.

Heavy truck and freight movement through Port Lincoln to the port and grain silos is particularly problematic

and great concern for the Port Lincoln community, especially during the 6-8 week peak grain harvest season

which brings a large number of B-double trucks into the CBD. One road through the city is of great concern

because there are traffic conflicts between heavy vehicles and parental transport at four schools on the

route. With trucks requiring longer braking distances and cars having poor visibility near to the trucks, this

situation is regarded by many people as having considerable accident potential.

If projected mining activity results in the movement of iron ore and other products through Port Lincoln the

impact of heavy freight transport in the CBD will be even greater. Options for diverting heavy vehicles around

the CBD are being investigated and the implementation might entail considerable infrastructure costs55.

54 Transport, Energy, Water, Telecommunications Infrastructure Report Card 2010, South Australia, Engineers Australia



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TOURISM - EYRE PENINSULA INFORMATION AND INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE INFRASTRUCTURE

The Eyre Peninsula Tourism Strategy, Hassell 2002, identified that there were issues concerning the

inconsistency of tourism signage throughout the region. In particular, the quality and reliability of the signage

was found to be extremely patchy. The Strategy highlighted the fact that there was no integrated road

signage system in place across Council areas. The study recommended the adoption of a regional tourism

signage strategy.

The Eyre Regional Development Board initiated a comprehensive audit of tourism signage. The report

highlighted the myriad of existing tourism signage and identified the following issues:

• The lack of signage consistency and uniformity across the region.

• A large proportion of the existing interpretive signage is dated, many signs are poorly maintained and a

number of signs are cluttered and unattractive.

• A number of town entrances are poorly designed and visually attractive.

• Roadside advertising signs clutter town entrances. The signs are unattractive, vary in quality, are poorly

designed, some are unreadable and many are either poorly maintained or in poor condition.

• The vast majority of information bays around the region are uninteresting and some have a noticeable

absence of good tourism signage)56.

HOUSING

Planning SA is projecting steady population growth across the region over the next 30 years. A significant

number of new homes will need to be built to accommodate this growth. New mining operations in the

region are having a marked impact with population influxes in Whyalla, Ceduna and Cowell.

It is anticipated that there will be an undersupply of private and public housing in the larger regional centres

of Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna. This may result in appreciating house prices across the region.

Housing affordability is already an issue. There is consequently increasing demand for rental housing, even

among older age groups, and the shortage of public housing remains an ongoing issue.

The ageing population is creating a growing demand for accommodation. This will have a significant impact

on the housing sector as the proportion of older households with a person aged 65 or over is projected to

increase from 19% of all households in 2008 to 28% in 2028. Demand projections indicate that there will be

pressure on both private and public rental markets to provide more housing for older renters. Additional

housing will be needed to support independent living and existing homes will need to be retro-fitted.57

Indigenous housing remains problematic. The main housing issues for Indigenous people are affordability,

overcrowding and a shortfall in the supply of suitable housing. In recent years there has been a significant

lack of Government investment in the construction of new dwellings in Indigenous communities at Yalata,

Oak Valley and Koonibba, where overcrowding is a significant issue.

Due to entrenched poverty, very few Indigenous people are able to purchase their own homes and most are

reliant on rental or other housing from a social housing provider58

. The lack of affordable rental housing

contributes to overcrowding because many Indigenous people are being forced to choose between

homelessness or living with large numbers of extended family members.

56 Eyre Peninsula Signage Audit, May 2004, D Clayton

57 National Housing Supply Council, 2

nd State of Supply Report, 2010, Australian Government

58 Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Indigenous Housing Papers: Issue 72 98 website


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PLANNING REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

State and Federal Government should recognise the need for regional growth. The rigid anti-development

approach that has been taken by some State Government agencies in South Australia is slowing

development progress and, in some cases, preventing development occurring in some areas of the Eyre

Peninsula. This has resulted in investment being lost in some towns.

In its current form, the state planning system has become cumbersome and is subject to over-zealous

bureaucratic regulation and scrutiny from Government agencies. Current planning regulation fails to allow for

sustainable innovative solutions to provide quality planning and development outcomes for regional areas.

The current planning impediments include:

• Barriers preventing Councils from re-zoning development plans to cater for population growth.

• Extreme restrictions in the zoning of coastal areas to become preclusive of development proposals.

• Ongoing issues with coastal protection regulation and powers exerted by the Coastal Protection Board.

• Ongoing issues with native vegetation regulation and powers exerted by the Native Vegetation Board.

• Issues with regulation and powers exerted by the Environment Protection Authority.

Government agencies need to understand that mutual benefits result from councils, business and industry

working collaboratively at the local level to develop integrated master plans. Doing this ensures that

development proposals meet the requirements of state and local government development plans whilst also

achieving a positive, balanced development outcome for communities.


COMMUNITY SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

A large proportion of the region’s sporting infrastructure is dated and upgrades have not occurred for many

years mainly due to a lack of funds. The “National Sustainability Study of Local Government” conducted by

Price Waterhouse Cooper identified that the cost to upgrade community and sporting facilities across

Australia could be quite significant.

Local government councils on the Eyre Peninsula vary in their approach to assist sporting groups with facility

maintenance. The vast majority of sports grounds are leased by clubs which are responsible for

infrastructure maintenance. However, sporting clubs in the region are typically small and struggle to find the

funding and human resources to maintain their sports facilities. Councils have an interest in monitoring risk

associated with from failing infrastructure but, due to budgetary constraints, have difficulty in providing the

capital to develop quality community infrastructure.

In order to ensure the future sustainability of the region’s sporting clubs there is a need to support the

development of strategic, multi-purpose sports and recreation facilities.

At present, where more than one club operates in a town there can be duplication of sporting facilities (e.g. 3

football clubs and 3 ovals). There is often further duplication because most schools in the region have turf

ovals, courts and other sporting infrastructure. (Although in some instances, school sporting facilities are

used by community groups after school hours)59.

However, the present situation in which the management and maintenance of stand alone sporting facilities

is undertaken by individual sports clubs is not sustainable.

59 Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association, Sport Recreation Infrastructure Committee, Statement of Position, January 2008


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There are significant financial and operational benefits to be gained from shared facility utilisation and the co-

location of recreational and sporting clubs in small communities. Not only does it spread the maintenance

burden and operational costs between small clubs, but it also accrues critical mass enabling opportunities for

the delivery of a broader range of sporting activities.

A paradigm model of a multi-use sporting facility has been developed at the Ravendale Community Sport

Centre in Port Lincoln. The need for similar multi-use sports facilities has been identified at Ceduna,

Cowell, Cummins, Kimba, Streaky Bay and Whyalla. These proposals are at various stages of feasibility

and development. Key facility projects that are action ready include:

CUMMINS COMMUNITY MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATIONAL FACILITY

The Cummins Community Multi Purpose Recreational Facility is a key strategic investment of $2.07 million

and the priority project of the Cummins district. The project involves the co-location of community sporting

and recreation facilities at the Cummins Memorial Recreation Centre.

This community multi-use recreational facility will involve operational partnerships with two football/netball

clubs along with cricket, tennis, basketball, swimming and bowling clubs. The local community and sporting

clubs were actively engaged during the planning stage and the proposal is strongly supported at the local

and regional level. The project will be staged:

• Stage A involves the enhancement of the Cummins Swimming Pool precinct with new change rooms

and toilets to meet current health, safety and privacy standards.

• Stage B involves development linked to the existing school and community complex to provide a

shared community facility which includes a commercial standard kitchen/canteen, public and

disabled access toilets, change rooms, meeting rooms, a community function room/clubroom,

improved internal sports viewing areas, umpires' rooms and all-weather sheltered, outdoor viewing

areas.

Residents of the district of Lower Eyre Peninsula will benefit from the availability of such a venue in

Cummins, which is the operational centre for the Great Flinders region sporting competitions. The facility is

planned to meet the standards required for inter-regional and State sporting events.

The facility will be of particular value to the Cummins Area School, as well as the broader district, local and

visiting sporting and recreation groups, the health service, and youth, family and mature-aged resident

groups.

STREAKY BAY OVAL PRECINCT

The Streaky Bay Oval Precinct is an important community hub providing recreational and social opportunities

for the residents and visitors. Sporting activities currently based in the precinct include football, netball,

basketball, tennis, cricket and the pony club.

A staged masterplan has been developed in consultation with the community to upgrade the oval to provide

a quality regional sporting and community facility. The master planning process identified the upgrade

requirements and facilitated the co-location of sporting and community groups within the precinct. The

masterplan included a review of management structures to better promote sporting club cooperation and

detailed a staged infrastructure replacement program to meet the needs of user groups and the general

community.


92

The key benefits of the project include a sustainable facility that meets community aspirations and growth

potential, greater opportunities for social inclusion, and the ability for Streaky Bay to host regional events and

conferences. While the masterplan has a 20 year time horizon, a distinct short-term project has been

identified to construct the following elements:

� A multi-court facility for netball, basketball and tennis,

� New change room and store facilities,

� A playground and BBQ with landscaping and associated facilities,

� A 200-seat community club with capacity for conferences and training, and a commercial kitchen,

kiosk, bar and offices for sports and community groups,

� A reception area and gymnasium and performing space,

� Bowling greens, and

� An upgrade of the main entrance.

The total cost of the project is $2.83 million. The project is well underway with the multi-courts completed.

Funding has been secured through grants ($518,000), Council contributions ($370,000) and community

contributions ($243,000) for the change rooms, playground, BBQ and landscaping facilities.

The next stage of the project is capital intensive and funding of $1.7 million is required for the development.

COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL FACILITIES

The provision of community and cultural services has primarily become the responsibility of local

government. But, for regional councils the combination of large geographic areas and a small ratepayer

base creates severe budgetary constraints and exacerbates the competition for priority projects.

Given the historical importance of sport in rural townships it is understandable that most local governments

in the region have developed recreation and open space plans for their council areas but no specialised

community and cultural development planning has been undertaken. Some community infrastructure and

services planning is nevertheless included as a part of Council strategic and business plans – especially for

key township infrastructure such as community halls.

The need for more proactive community cultural planning and infrastructure provision has been recognised

by some Councils. The District Council of Ceduna has identified the need for a theatre and conference

facility to accommodate arts and entertainment activities. The project is at the concept development stage

only because a feasibility study will need to consider other options including the possible upgrade of the

Ceduna Memorial Hall. The City of Whyalla has identified the need for a centralised library and a purpose

built art gallery to house and showcase the City of Whyalla Art Collection. Whyalla is also in the process of

implementing a Foreshore Master Plan to provide infrastructure and facilities to improve coastal access and

amenity for residents and visitors. The District Council of Franklin Harbour has progressed concept

planning to construct new administrative offices that incorporates a purpose designed visitor information

centre. Key social and cultural infrastructure projects include: PORT LINCOLN CIVIC HALL REDEVELOPMENT

The Port Lincoln Civic Hall is a traditionally designed two storey hall that was opened in 1936 as the Port

Lincoln Soldier’s Memorial Civic Centre. The original infrastructure was basic - comprising a flat wooden

ground floor area, a proscenium arched stage and a balcony seating area. By the 1960’s the hall required

some minor upgrade works but still fell short of meeting the requirements of touring companies. During the

1970’s and 1980’s there was community demand for a brand new replacement facility but the decision was

eventually made to upgrade and adapt the existing hall for better use.


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Major renovations costing $2.6 million were completed in May 2001, which upgraded the ground floor to

provide an art gallery, a 500-seat theatre (the Nautilus Theatre) and better function space. The stage was

enlarged and proscenium arch removed as part of these works. The project was funded through the City of

Port Lincoln, sponsorships and State and Federal Government grants.

The Civic Hall is centrally located in Port Lincoln's existing Cultural Precinct which services the lower Eyre

Peninsula region. The facility is not a purpose built, Government run theatre. It operates as a self-funding

entity with income derived from ticket sales, art work sales and functions, with some assistance from the City

of Port Lincoln Council. The facility is managed by a volunteer Board, one part time paid coordinator and

over 130 volunteers.

Since completing the redevelopment, there has been an extraordinary increase in attendances to

performances and exhibitions with visitation averaging 25,000 people per annum. User demand has out

grown the facility and future growth is curtailed by infrastructure constraints.

The City of Port Lincoln consequently proposes to complete the Civic Hall redevelopment by upgrading the

first floor to provide additional gallery space, workshop spaces and community meeting areas. The upgrade

will also create a new function area with carpeting, air-conditioning and a lift to make this existing derelict

space more accessible and useable.

The Port Lincoln Civic Hall is a major community asset, both locally and regionally. The $1.3 million

development of this facility will meet the growing cultural facility needs of the lower Eyre Peninsula region

and enhance the amenity and liveability of Port Lincoln for both local residents and visitors. D’FACES OF YOUTH ARTS THEATRE, WHYALLA

D’Faces of Youth Arts, based in Whyalla, is the only dedicated youth arts organisation in the Whyalla and

Eyre Peninsula region and is one of only two youth arts companies in South Australia that is not based in

Adelaide. The organisation provides training and arts development opportunities for young people up to 27

years of age in the genres of performing and visual arts. All D’Faces projects are based on community

cultural development principles, where art is created ‘by’ the participants as opposed to ‘for’ them.

Professional practising artists from around Australia lead D’Faces projects and share their skills with

participants and local artists, building on local knowledge.

It is recognised that young people in the Whyalla are impacted by high unemployment rates from

intergenerational unemployment, along with juvenile justice issues, substance misuse and low levels of

numeracy and literacy. D’Faces of Youth Arts thereby provides critical youth development and training

services in Whyalla and is currently funded by The City Whyalla with $25,000 per annum to manage the

council’s youth arts program.

D’Faces has been active since 1994 but service provision has been constrained by the lack of fit-for-purpose

infrastructure. In 2006, D’Faces obtained a loan from the City of Whyalla to purchase a small hall – Buff Hall

– from the Buffalo Lodge to provide a base for the organisation. Minor renovations were undertaken at the

time, but substantial refurbishment works need to be done to provide more appropriate facilities.

A feasibility study and project costing was undertaken in 2008 which estimated the total refurbishment cost

to be $1.2 million. The upgrade will provide sound proof recording studios, a prop construction and storage

area, disabled toilet facilities, workshop and wet area, an improved 88-seat performance space and a new

foyer with catering facilities for patrons.


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Some preliminary refurbishment works were completed during 2010 with funding assistance of $150,000

from BHP Billiton. The initial investment from BHP Billiton was allocated to urgent first-stage improvements,

including:

• Reconfiguration of office spaces including floor new tiling,

• Refurbishment of old cold-room into a multi-media and green room space,

• New kitchen,

• Removal of defunct ducted air-conditioning and replacement with a reverse cycle system, and

• Replacement of old windows, including security screens and awnings.

Infrastructure capital funding is needed to complete the refurbishment.

OTHER RECREATION SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS Other recreation, social and cultural infrastructure projects identified in the region include:

• Whyalla Foreshore Master Plan – a major upgrade and redevelopment of the city foreshore,

• Parnkalla Trail – connecting the Port Lincoln Tasman Terrace foreshore and Axel Stenross Museum,

• Gawler ranges – a walking and cycling trail through the National Park,

• Mallee Park – redevelopment of the Indigenous oval,

• Port Lincoln Centenary Oval – redevelopment of the sports facility,

• Cleve – Development of a multi-use sporting and recreation hub, and

• Port Lincoln Golf Club – a pipeline extension to enhance water reuse and access.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

FISHING AND AQUACULTURE: INTRODUCTION OF MARINE PARKS

The State Government’s Marine Parks proposal accounts for 46% of marine waters in South Australia. With

11 of the 19 marine parks being sited along the western and eastern boundaries of the Eyre Peninsula, the

proposal has potential to threaten the future prosperity of Eyre Peninsula’s seafood industries and the

coastal communities that rely on marine resources as their primary source of income.

The seafood industry is seeking assurances from the State Government that the marine parks will not impact

on existing commercial fishing grounds for the various industry sectors.

FISHING AND AQUACULTURE: SOUTHERN BLUEFIN TUNA QUOTA REDUCTION

South Australia’s Southern Bluefin tuna industry accounts for 99.6% of Australia’s tuna catch. Tuna is the

largest single sector in the state’s aquaculture industry accounting for approximately 71% of the state’s gross

value of aquaculture production.

The recent international political decision and subsequent Federal Government announcement to cut

Southern Bluefin Tuna quotas by 24% over the next 2 years has had a severe impact on fishing operations

with hundreds of local jobs lost and an estimated loss of $80 million annually to the economy of Port Lincoln.

In view of evidence of sustainable management and numbers of southern bluefin tuna in the waters of the

Great Australian Bight, the tuna industry and Port Lincoln community are advocating the reinstatement of the

tuna quota to the previous level.


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TOURISM WORKFORCE SUPPLY

Tourism is a labour intensive industry which creates many job opportunities, particularly for young people.

Approximately 2,000 people are directly employed in the tourism sector in the Eyre region.

The region’s tourism industry comprises a diverse range of service sectors, including:

• Travel agencies, tour operators and guides,

• Café, restaurant and food outlets,

• Clubs, pubs and taverns,

• Accommodation and property developments,

• Retail sector,

• Gaming,

• Art galleries, museums and libraries,

• Road, air and water transport, and

• Manufacturing, vehicle repairs and maintenance etc.

In recent years Eyre Peninsula’s tourism and hospitality sector workforce has been boosted by the

establishment of major new developments such as the Pt Lincoln Hotel and Wallaroo to Lucky Bay ferry

service.

Growth projections in tourism employment are subject to increases in both domestic and inbound tourism.

Employment in the industry will therefore continue to be reliant on the potential to attract and retain visitors to

this region.

The SA Tourism Commission has predicted that as baby-boomers retire they will leave behind a huge

workforce gap in the tourism industry. It is expected that this will be exacerbated by competition for labour

from higher paying sectors such as mining and defence. Tourism businesses may not be able to compete

with higher paying industries.

The issue of attraction, retention and employee turnover is an ongoing problem for Eyre Peninsula’s tourism

industry. The Sustainable Tourism CRC (Deery 2006) has identified that the hotel industry has the highest

level of turnover at 39% to 84%. The main reasons being the low pay, poor working hours and the need to

search for better career opportunities.

Generally, employees in tourism and hospitality are more likely to work non-standard hours and be in part-

time or casual employment. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has advised

that across the tourism industry 56% of employees work full-time and 41.1% part time60. This is largely

determined by work arrangements in the accommodation, café and restaurant sector.

The CRC has suggested that local labour market strategies to provide career pathways might ameliorate the

high levels of turnover.

SUSTAINABLE FARMING

The risks associated with broad acre farming have increased substantially, with increased costs. Many costs

are incurred well before income is derived from harvest. Fertiliser, chemical and fuel costs have grown much

faster than the consumer price index in recent years. Farm machinery costs have escalated, with just about

all machinery for broad acre cropping being imported.

60 Current vacancies: Workforce challenges facing the Australian tourism sector, June 2007


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The recent shift to greater levels of cropping compared to livestock has increased the level of financial

exposure. This has had serious impacts on farm viability in the recent run of dry seasons. The freeing up of

marketing arrangements for grain in Australia has added to the burden on farmers in covering price risk.

Rainfall variability and lower seasonal rainfall across Eyre Peninsula adds another layer of risk that farmers

must manage. Climate modelling, long range forecasting, and improved understanding of soil, water and

crop interaction is assisting farmers in this process but further work is required to fine tune this science and

understanding.

Livestock, especially sheep, will continue to play an important role in farming on Eyre Peninsula. However,

the emphasis on cropping in the last two decades has seen a loss of knowledge and expertise in pastures

and livestock management. Livestock can reduce farm business risks but carries additional resource

management risks for soil condition. Determining the most profitable mix of cropping and livestock can bring

substantial benefits but will require a greater focus on the livestock component of farming enterprises.

Water supply for sustainable livestock production is an emerging issue. Innovative solutions for capturing,

holding and distributing water efficiently need to be trialled and adopted if livestock is to remain a viable part

of farming businesses on Eyre Peninsula.

As cropping is a more marginal proposition in the lower rainfall areas of Eyre Peninsula, alternative farming

options need to be considered. Land stewardship programs may provide the impetus for alternative systems

to be trialled while retaining the skills and knowledge of land managers in low rainfall districts.

EMPLOYMENT, SKILLS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

Aboriginal people in the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region are impacted by a broad range of social and

other issues. Education, training and employment outcomes - especially school attendance and retention

rates - are much lower for Aboriginal people and this is evident at key education transition points.

Intergenerational unemployment, coupled with negative contact with the legal system, substance misuse,

family violence and low self esteem impact the well being of individuals and create ongoing issues for the

broader community.

Aboriginal people have high levels of unemployment in the region and require specialised assistance to

overcome multiple barriers that deter entry to the workforce.

Changes to CDEP and work-readiness programs, especially stronger compliance requirements regarding

mutual obligation and participation reporting are creating more issues and having negative financial

consequences on the Aboriginal community.

The success of high profile employment projects like the Goal 100 program has seen Whyalla attract a

number of Aboriginal job seekers who now perceive the region as a place where jobs are available for

disadvantaged people.


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YOUTH

There is evidence of disconnection between services and lack of a coordinated approach to youth support in

the region. Key issues include the lack of dedicated youth space in Port Lincoln, long waiting lists for child

and adolescent mental health services, negative contact with police, diminished wellbeing and low levels of

education and training retention for some young people.

Across the region high numbers of young people attend boarding school in their senior years and go directly

to university. Encouraging young people to stay in the region and take up training and employment

opportunities or attracting them back after completing their tertiary qualifications presents an ongoing social

and community development challenge.

Employment Networks in Whyalla need a proactive strategy to fully engage this marginalised group. Youth in

Whyalla are impacted by inter-generational unemployment, juvenile justice issues, substance misuse and

low levels of numeracy and literacy. It may therefore be necessary to address the high unemployment rate

by quarantining positions for young people in all employment programs across the city.

MATURE AGED PEOPLE

Mature aged people across the Eyre Peninsula display a ‘non-welfare’ attitude which results in many people

not receiving assistance to which they are entitled. This is very evident in the farming community where

accreditation and competency recognition programs are critical first steps to obtain alternative non-farming

incomes. This certainly occurred during the drought when many famers found it difficult to secure off-farm

incomes to sustain their farming enterprises.

However, this is not the case among mature aged people in Whyalla.

Whyalla experiences a higher level of entrenched welfare dependency because of inter-generational

unemployment and more complex barriers to engagement with education, employment and training. Parents

returning to work require high levels of support to overcome employment barriers including long term

disengagement, low confidence, access to child care, and the need for skills development in some areas.

MIGRANTS

Whyalla has a growing migrant population. The number of skilled migrants increased from 44 in 2006/07 to

70 in 2007/08. Many migrants have spouses who are able to work in Australia but are unable to access

assistance from some government programs. Accurate data on this sector is not always readily available.

The South Australia Works in the Regions program can support the growing migrant sector through proactive

inclusion in existing activities or the provision of tailored employment and development projects.

PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY

Over the past 12 months, providers of disability employment services have seen an increase in the numbers

of Newstart clients who have been assessed as having a partial work capacity. These people are better

suited to part time work opportunities. Service agencies also report episodic mental health issues being the

primary barrier to employment for many participants.


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SOCIAL INCLUSION

INDIGENOUS CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS

The challenges and barriers impeding Indigenous economic development and employment on the Eyre

Peninsula are similar to those found in mainstream rural areas and other areas of Australia with large

Indigenous populations. The challenges and barriers can be loosely grouped under the following headings:

Human Resource Issues

• The difficulty of accessing appropriate education near to where people live (i.e. the availability of suitable

training that is language appropriate and hands on).

• Unskilled workforce – or, in recent times, people have skills in areas that are not in demand by

employers.

• Lack of business and management experience (especially at Board and management levels).

• Some Indigenous people only want to work in Indigenous owned businesses and organisations.

Financial Issues

• Lack of finance for projects and business development (i.e. seed funding equity is not available for many

projects. Even mainstream businesses have difficulty surviving on 100% self funded ventures especially

from start up).

• Most of the existing land and building assets have caveats or restrictions placed on them through land

holding bodies such as Aboriginal Lands Trust, Indigenous Land Corporation, Commonwealth

government (previously ATSIC/ATSIS).

• A lack of financial planning has seen available investment dollars being directed into projects that require

ongoing financial support rather than to businesses with viability potential.

• A lack of dedicated resources for economic development. Too often community organisations that are

under resourced, attempt to manage economic development as well, and have difficulty balancing social

and economic financial needs.

Social, Cultural and Geographical Issues

• A lack of housing and essential services in the community often results in training and employment

being a very low priority.

• The lack of general infrastructure in communities impedes social and business development.

• Difficult cultural issues especially in remote Indigenous communities (i.e. not all Indigenous people want

full time work, and those who are in employment sometimes have conflicting cultural obligations).

• Inadequacy of health services or poor personal health (i.e. poor health from either a lack of services or

personal hygiene prevents people from working).

• A bureaucratic tendency by government that will continue to “prop up” non-viable and non-sustainable

activities.

• Environmental issues (including water and climate change).

• Tyranny of distance (i.e. access from home to education and employment is difficult in some regions).

• The geographic remoteness of communities from key centres of business activity and work.

CLOSING THE GAP

Closing the Gap is an initiative of Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to improve the lives and

provide a better future for Indigenous children. Closing the gap is linked to wider reform agenda in the

areas of education, housing and health which have a clear focus on overcoming Indigenous disadvantage.

The Closing the Gap targets are to:


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• Close the life expectancy gap within a generation,

• Halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five years of age within a decade,

• Ensure access to early childhood education for all Indigenous four year olds in remote communities

within five years,

• Halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for children within a decade,

• Halve the gap for Indigenous students in Year 12 (or equivalent) attainment rates by 2020, and

• Halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within

a decade.

The targets are very ambitious and COAG recognises that overcoming Indigenous disadvantage will require

a sustained commitment from all levels of government to work together with Indigenous people.

Collaborative engagement and partnership with Indigenous people is regarded as absolutely essential.

Given that four out of the six Closing the Gap targets are linked with education, it is imperative that

Indigenous people become more proactive in getting their children to attend school and, in so doing, reduce

the unacceptable rate of truancy that impacts many Indigenous communities.

The RDAWEP Indigenous economic development and job creation strategies (outlined on pages 112-116)

are consistent with and support COAG’s broader initiatives to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.


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SUMMARY OF ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR DISADVANTAGED GROUPS

Key Priority

Target Groups

Issues/ Challenges/ Barriers RDA Action to address

the issues

Partnerships

INDIGENOUS

PEOPLE

Low school participation rates

High unemployment

Dysfunctional communities

Low levels of skills

Lack of housing in communities

Poor levels of health

High levels of school truancy

Drug and alcohol abuse

Employment engagement barriers

Remote community location

Absence of public transport

Lack of transient accommodation

Native Title

Poor business management skills

High crime participation rates

Domestic violence issues

Lack of coordination between

Government agencies with

indigenous programs and initiatives.

Ongoing waste of Government

resources and $ because of the lack

of coordination

Governments tending to take a short

term view to resolve issues i.e. for

the term of the Government.

Lack of consultation with

communities to resolve the issues at

the ground level

Developed and now

implementing regional

economic development plan

for Indigenous Communities

Employment of Indigenous

Economic Development

Officer to facilitate specific

indigenous economic

development initiatives.

DEEWR

DFEEST

FACSIA

IBA

Indigenous

Communities

Native Title

Claimants

ALT

Dept Premier

Cabinet

Indigenous Leaders

Local Government

YOUTH Low school participation rates

High unemployment in larger centres

such as Whyalla, Ceduna, Pt Lincoln

Low levels of skills

Truancy

Drugs and alcohol abuse

Employment engagement barriers

Remoteness

Lack of public transport

Shortage of youth accommodation

Changes to Youth allowance

Criminal activity in some areas

Boredom (leads to criminal activity)

Lack of sports participation by some

Lack of work experience

Lack of youth activities and programs

Family dysfunction

Developed SA Works

Strategic Plan for the

implementation of key

training/skills initiatives.

DFEEST

DEEWR

ESF Network-

Whyalla Eyre

RCN Network

FACSIA

Job Network

providers

Local Government


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SUMMARY OF ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR DISADVANTAGED GROUPS

Key Priority

Target Groups

Issues/ Challenges/ Barriers RDA Action to address

the issues

Partnerships

LONG TERM

UNEMPLOYED

Low skill levels

Multi generational unemployment

Low levels of literacy and numeracy

Family dysfunction

Shortage of public housing

Education access and participation


Employment participation barriers

Lack of employment opportunities in

some communities

Government welfare dependency

Remoteness


Boredom leading to criminal activity

Domestic violence

Lack of coordination between

Government agencies in the running

of programs and initiatives.

Developed SA Works



training/ skills initiatives.

DFEEST

DEEWR

ESF Network-

Whyalla Eyre

RCN Network

FACSIA

Job Network

providers

Local Government

MATURE AGED Barriers to re-enter the workforce

Issues with updating of skills


some communities


Education access and participation



Developed SA Works




DFEEST

DEEWR

ESF Network-

Whyalla Eyre

RCN Network

FACSIA

Job Network

providers

Local Government

MIGRANTS Language barriers in regional

communities

Lack of cultural awareness

Access to English language courses

and other support programs (cross

cultural support)



DFEEST

DEEWR

ESF Network-

Whyalla Eyre

RCN Network

FACSIA

Job Network

providers

Local Government

DISABLED Lack of public transport

Barriers to re-enter the workforce

Updating of skills

Barriers to employment

Other transportation problems


some communities


Developed SA Works




DFEEST

DEEWR

ESF Network-

Whyalla Eyre

RCN Network

FACSIA

Job Network

providers

Local Government


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SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

EYRE PENINSULA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

The Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation (EPCF) is a philanthropic trust that aims to develop a pool of

capital from community and business donations for long term community benefit in the region.

The EPCF was incorporated in 2004 through the support of the Eyre Regional Development Board and a

steering committee. In late 2008 a formative Board of Directors was appointed and an inaugural board

meeting took place. The Foundation will encourage and enable individuals, families, corporations and

charitable organisations to engage in philanthropy and contribute in ways that will benefit local communities

and causes. The Foundation will also provide leadership in finding innovative solutions to community

development challenges.

The EPCF funding pool includes a Disaster Fund which can provide benefits direct to people who have

suffered in a disaster.

RDAWEP is providing ongoing office, administrative and other in-kind support to the EPCF to encourage

philanthropy and community endowment in the region.


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7. PRIORITY PROJECTS

WATER SUPPLY – DESALINATION PLANTS

The RDAWEP Board has identified the establishment of a desalination plant as one of the most critical

needs for the region. There is no doubt that a desalination plant will be necessary to meet future water

demands, however there are mixed opinions about how and where desalinated water can be provided.

The proposed BHP desalination plant at Point Lowly will produce 80 megalitres of water per day over and

above BHP needs. This water will be available for other users. However, the water will be of industrial

standard and not be potable, and there are concerns about the access cost and the environmental

consequences of discharge into Spencer Gulf.

Even if this option were to proceed there are concerns about meeting water needs in the lower and western

parts of Eyre Peninsula. Some people are consequently in favour of locating smaller desalination plants –

such as the F-Cubed water system - at various sites around the region for provision of a more localised

water supply. (The Australian designed F-Cubed system processes sea water or saline water through solar

panels with the advantage that there is no environmentally damaging discharge. However, there is concern

that the solar arrays require a large amount of land and that this might be cost prohibitive in coastal locations

due to the higher land prices).

Nevertheless, the State Government, SA Water and key regional stakeholders must commit to the strategic

establishment of desalination plants or plant at appropriate location in the region to meet projected

community, business and industry water needs.

RENEWABLE ENERGY – GREEN GRID PROPOSAL

The Eyre Peninsula has been long recognised as a significant wind energy resource but has not been able

to realise this potential because of the lack of capacity of electricity transmission infrastructure. In July 2010

a consortium including Macquarie Capital Advisers, Worley Parsons and Baker McKenzie presented a

feasibility report which assessed new transmission opportunities in the region. The report supported a case

for investment into 2000MW of new generation in four highly suitable wind zones:

• Southern Area – an inland area of higher elevation north of Port Lincoln.

• Central Area – a large inland area of higher elevation north of Cleve.

• Northern Area – a large remote inland area north-west of Port Augusta.

• Western Area – coastal areas around Elliston.

These zones experience wind speeds above 8 metres per second with the potential for more than 10,000

MW of generation.

Stage One of the Green Grid proposal involves the construction of a high voltage 500 kilovolt (kV) above

ground transmission network from Davenport (near Port Augusta) to the west coast at a connection point

near Elliston. This configuration would connect new generation of up to 2000 MW in two zones at an

estimated capital cost of approximately $613m61. The proposed transmission investment for Stage One

would create 2000MW of additional generation worth approximately $4.5 billion. It is also estimated that this

stage would create around 1,400 direct and 1,600 indirect jobs during construction and approximately 5,000

FTE jobs in total over at the first 20 years of operation.

61

Green Grid Unlocking Renewable Energy Resources in South Australia, Macquarie Group, 2010


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WHYALLA SOLAR THERMAL PROJECT

In May 2010 the Whyalla Solar Oasis Consortium (comprising N.P. Power, Sustainable Power Partners and

Wizard Power) announced it will provide a 40MWe concentrating solar thermal power plant in Whyalla,

following the awarding of a grant under the Renewable Energy Development Program for $60M. The project

will use 300 Big Dish solar thermal concentrators, each 500sqm in area, to generate 66GWh of electricity

each year; enough to power 9,500 Australian homes and reduce greenhouse gasses by 60,000 tonnes per

annum – equivalent to taking 17,000 cars off the road each year.

The project will be the first commercial scale solar thermal plant to dispatch power to the Australian electricity

market. The Wizard Big Dish technology is based on technology originally developed at the Australian

National University where it was researched for over 30 years.

The plant will be located adjacent to the Solar Storage pilot plant already under construction by Wizard

Power in Whyalla. This project, which has been supported by a grant from the Commonwealth

Government’s Advance Electrical Storage Technologies Program, will showcase Wizard Power’s energy

storage technology.

The project is expected to create over 200 jobs in Whyalla during construction, along with significant

opportunities for businesses in the region and further jobs for the operation and maintenance of the plant.

WAVE ENERGY PROJECT

The energy from ocean waves is natural and unlimited. By efficient utilisation, ocean energy will provide a

sustainable and environmental friendly source of power for the future. Wave energy is one of the most

concentrated forms of renewable energy available with the potential to make a significant contribution to the

future energy needs of the Eyre Peninsula.

Wave Rider Energy is a renewable energy technology that will produce power via unique and efficient wave

energy conversion technology. The first Wave Rider pilot plant is scheduled for deployment in 2011 near

Elliston. The pilot plant will involve the construction of a 250-tonne carbon-steel floating platform anchored

to the sea floor and buoyed by seven pontoons, keeping the whole mechanism always at the face of the

waves. During this pilot phase the plant will be monitored and assessments made on its performance from

platform sensors. The platform will not be connected to the grid at this information gathering stage of the

project.

OTHER ENERGY - FOWLERS BAY POWER SUPPLY

Fowlers Bay is not connected to a mains power supply which is restricting the growth and expansion of the

town as a tourism destination and base for nearby mining operations.

A large diesel generated power station is located approximately 30kms away at Nundroo. This unit provides

power to Nundroo and the nearby small community of Coorabie. A single swer power line extends from

Coorabie to within 10kms of Fowlers Bay. Nundroo and Coorabie have experienced significant population

decline in years past. The Nundroo power station is consequently under utilised and has the capacity to

support a larger population base, such as Fowlers Bay.

A demand survey indicates that 50 landholders at Fowlers Bay are prepared to connect to mains power with

the projected uptake and consumption to be between 190,000 and 200,000 KW hours within 3 years from

the initial connection.


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PORT NEILL POWER SUPPLY

The single-phase electricity supply at Port Neill is operating at full capacity. The limited supply and absence

of a three-phase power connection are affecting housing growth and constraining the expansion of business

and industry in the area.

There is a need to upgrade the electricity supply to the town including a new three-phase distribution network

from Lipson Cove. This will provide security for the future growth of the community.

PORT BONYTHON FUEL TERMINAL

The Port Bonython Fuel Terminal project will provide a new regional fuel supply gateway for the northern and

western regions of the South Australia.

A secure diesel supply is critical to many industries in South Australia including mining and construction,

agriculture, marine, transport and defence. Timely and reliable supplies of fuel are essential for efficient and

effective business operations.

Port Bonython is currently the only suitable deep water port in the northern region of South Australia that is

capable of berthing and offloading ships carrying in excess of 100,000 tonnes of hydrocarbon fuels.

The Port Bonython Fuel Terminal project will provide the infrastructure to significantly increase fuel supplies

in the region. Initially the development will have the capacity to import and distribute 500 million litres of

diesel fuel annually.

In May 2009 the State Government approved the sale of a 74 hectare parcel of land to Port Bonython Fuels.

The project proposal is currently being processed as a Section 49 Crown Sponsored Development by the

South Australian Government.

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

PORT OF THEVENARD RE-DEVELOPMENT

The redevelopment of the Port of Thevenard will ensure the long term sustainability of the integrated export

facility and improve supply chain logistics and the efficiency of grain and minerals storage and handling. The

project will include a number of components:

• The deepening of the Yalata Channel from the existing 8.2 metres to 10.7 metres and widening of

the corners to 150m.

• Increasing the shipping export capability of the port from 25,000 tonne to 45,000 tonne capability.

• The upgrade or replacement of the ship loader with a system capable of operating at 1500-2000

tonnes per hour.

The main benefits of the re-development will be infrastructure improvements to support the expanding

mineral sands mining activity in the region and efficiencies to increase the competitiveness of the existing

grain, gypsum and salt export industries62.



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SHEEP HILL PORT FACILITY

Increased exploration activity on eastern and lower Eyre Peninsula has revealed extensive resources of high

grade hematite and magnetite (iron ore) and several companies including Centrex Metals, Lincoln Minerals,

Iron Clad and Iron Road are seeking to establish iron mining exports within the next 5 years.

The key project requirement is the development of a strategic port facility that is able to cater for direct

loading into cape bulk vessels (220 tonne to 240 tonne capacity), with a future export production capacity of

10 to 15 million tonnes annually.

Sheep Hill, located 20kms south of Port Neill, has been identified as an ideal port facility site due to 20 metre

deep water within 400 metres of the shore line. The site is also central to the iron ore deposits and is located

only 5kms from the main Lincoln Highway and 24kms from existing railway line infrastructure.

WHYALLA BULK COMMODITIES EXPORT FACILITY

A bulk commodities export facility is required in the north of the State so that the mining industry can achieve

its full potential. The area near Whyalla is the preferred location because of access to deep water that will

cater for cape sized ships (up to 180,000 tonnes). The facility will need to have the capacity to handle up to

20 million tonnes of dry bulk commodity exports per annum.

The three locations have been identified near Whyalla:

• The existing OneSteel facility at the Port of Whyalla.

• A new site at Port Bonython, which is about 20kms from Whyalla.

• A new site at Nonowie.

The Port of Whyalla is owned and operated by OneSteel. Access to the facility is at the discretion of the

company on a case-by-case basis, dependent upon the nature and volume of the cargo and OneSteel’s

operational requirements at the time. In recent years, OneSteel has supported the landing of various goods

for a number of external companies and has committed to undertake a feasibility study into the potential

expansion of the port facility including provision to support the needs of other companies.

The Port Bonython site has been promoted by the State Government with a Spencer Gulf Port Link

Consortium; (Flinders Port Holdings, Leighton Contractors, Macquarie Capital, BIS Industrial Logistics and

ARTC). The development would have an estimated capital cost of $600 million. The Consortium is presently

working with mining companies to define the timing of mine developments and the likely commodity volumes

that are to be exported.

The Nonowie site is being promoted by a group of local residents primarily for environmental reasons.

However a feasibility study including a capital development costing and engineering design works has yet to

be completed.


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PORT BONYTHON ONSHORE LAND DEVELOPMENT

The State Government owns approximately 2,200 hectares at Port Bonython. Port Bonython is home to the

Santos fractionation plant, which was completed in the early 1980’s, with the jetty being the property of the

State Government.

Port Bonython has been identified as the location for proposed major infrastructure investments including

BHP Billiton’s desalination plant for the Olympic Dam expansion, a bulk ore port and the Port Bonython

Diesel Fuel terminal. It is also the proposed site for other industries supporting the mining and resources

sector due to the proximity of deep water and transport corridors, and location away from residential areas.

In 2009 the South Australian Government facilitated an Expression of Interest process to provide information

to interested parties for the construction and operation of a suitable harbour at Port Bonython.

Given the State government land holdings in this area and access to 20 metre deep waters, Port Bonython is

a highly attractive investment location for strategic projects and future developments.

CEDUNA COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY UNLOADING FACILITIES AND SAFE HARBOUR

The Eyre Peninsula Ports Master Plan, 2009 recommended that a separate, purpose built facility be

constructed to service the fishing industry operating from Ceduna. Commercial fishing industry stakeholders

support the proposal.

A new unloading facility will service existing vessels already operating in the area. A demand and needs

analysis identified in excess of 36 vessels that would use the facility on a regular basis.

The new infrastructure will also attract additional vessels to base operations in Ceduna during fishing

seasons. The key to this will be the opening of total allowable catches in the Great Australian Bight for the

sardine and blue mackerel fisheries in coming years.

Non fishery vessels including tugs, the Port of Thevenard pilot boat, emergency services craft, recreational

charters and cruising boats will also use the facility, primarily as a safe and secure berthing harbour.

Consultation with key stakeholders- fishing industry representatives and Flinders Ports – identified the

Thevenard Slipway in Bosanquet Bay as the preferred and most suitable site for the facility. The proposal is

to build the new unloading facility as an expanded spur to the slipway incorporating a portion of the existing

structure. This would provide a purpose designed facility for the fishing industry to unload, re-fuel and obtain

provisions.

The proposal will involve the construction of an L-shaped breakwater extending from the shoreline slipway

structure. This will provide protected unloading and loading berths on the inner side of the facility with jetty

berth provision for different sized vessels. The design will allow for the future expansion of the facility with

enough space provided for the addition of another jetty structure to provide additional berths.

The provision of a designated facility for the commercial fishing industry will satisfy stakeholder operational

demands and provide a range of operational, economic and long term environmental benefits, including:

• The provision of 24/7 access to a purpose built onshore facility.

• Reduced or nil waiting time for vessels to unload product.


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• Improved operational efficiency as unloading time will be significantly reduced and turn around

times for re-fuelling and obtaining supplies will be dramatically decreased.

• The berths will be totally protected from wind and inclement weather conditions.

• There will be no risk of cross contamination from other products.

• Product quality and integrity will be maintained.

• Companies will have greater quality control of their perishable products.

• Improved business competitiveness from more streamlined and efficient handling logistics and

increased product output.

• Creation of opportunities for additional fishing operations to locate to and use Ceduna as a base

during fishing seasons.

• Significantly reduced travel time and fuel costs for accessing fishing grounds in the western region

of the Great Australian Bight.

• The creation of opportunities to establish new shore based processing operations at an adjacent

industrial precinct.

The District Council of Ceduna has prepared funding applications for State and Australian Government

infrastructure programs, the results of which are pending.

PORT LINCOLN FISHING INDUSTRY UNLOADING FACILITY

Ongoing congestion at the Port Lincoln port facility is largely attributable to the fishing fleet operation. There

is limited wharf space when large vessels are in port and congestion on the wharf with conflicting traffic

movements. There are 230 berths in total in Port Lincoln. However growth in the aquaculture industry and

the recognised need for less fish in each aquaculture cage, has increased the number of boats needing

wharf access.

The fishing industry has identified that construction of a separate fishing fleet facility for loading, unloading

and mooring vessels would provide benefits to both the fishing industry and operations at the existing port. It

is estimated that 130 vessels would use the facility.

Through consultation with the fishing industry the Eyre Peninsula Ports Master Plan (2009) determined the

basic facility requirements. A number of potential locations were identified and concept designs were

developed and assessed by key local stakeholders. Industry is currently finalising the preferred location and

design of the facility63. These must be decided soon to get the project back on track.

LUCKY BAY TO WALLAROO FERRY SERVICE AND ONSHORE DEVELOPMENT

The Lucky Bay Terminal development is being undertaken by Sea Transport Development SA Pty Ltd. This

entity owns the perpetual crown lease at Lucky Bay covering some 3,287 acres of land. The property was

acquired to provide berthing facilities for the ferry operations established by a related entity, Sea SA Pty Ltd.

In addition to ferry berthing facilities, it is planned that a passenger terminal building be developed to house

the ferry service administration and provide kiosk and accommodation facilities for staff and travellers.

A concept plan has also been prepared for the construction of other facilities including retail shops, a service

station, eco caravan and cabin facilities, bait and fishing services, with future housing provision for 300

residential canal blocks.



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THEVENARD TO PENONG RAIL LINE

Significant upgrading of the rail line between the gypsum mine at Kevin and the Port of Thevenard is

required to ensure that transportation of the existing tonnage of gypsum can continue and be sustained over

time. In addition, it is recommended that the rail infrastructure upgrade allow for future growth in production

volumes and develop a more efficient rolling stock configuration64.

EXTENSION OF THE RAIL LINE TO THE EASTERN EYRE PENINSULA

The existing narrow gauge railway line needs to be extended 24km to Ungarra to link it to the line from

Cummins to Kimba. This extension will provide an effective and efficient rail transport network across the

region and link four iron ore deposits. This will also make it possible to connect Ungarra and the Eyre

Peninsula rail network to the pending Sheep Hill port development.


The RDAWEP Board has identified the upgrade of Port Lincoln Airport as the highest priority regional

project. The project is vitally important to supporting the economic growth of Eyre Peninsula’s key industry

sectors and is strategically important for the growth of the tourism industry.

A business case was prepared for the project in May 2011 which argued the merit of promoting and

positioning Port Lincoln Airport as the key regional gateway for all major air activity, services and exports on

the Eyre Peninsula. The airport redevelopment will provide better access to the region for fly-in fly-out

tourists thereby enhancing the development of the high yield domestic and international markets. This will

also enable the Eyre Peninsula to be marketed as a key location for conventions, conferences and meetings

and help attract new tourism operators to the region.

At the time of preparing this Regional Profile the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula had received

project funding of $1.02 million from the South Australian Government Regional Development Infrastructure

Fund and the outcome of an application for Regional Development Australia Funding was pending.

CEDUNA AIRPORT

The upgrade of Ceduna Airport is necessary to meet growing community, business and industry use of the

facility – especially fly-in fly-out workforce use by mining companies. Existing and pending mining growth on

the far west coast of Eyre Peninsula and projects such as the development of an unloading facility for the

Great Australian Bight fishing industry have brought a new level of importance to the project. Ceduna

Council is currently reviewing the master plan redevelopment concept in liaison with Adelaide Airport

management which has expressed interest in operating the facility.

WHYALLA AIRPORT

Passenger numbers through Whyalla Airport are expected to grow substantially in future years. In addition

to community and business travellers, passenger growth will be exacerbated by the expansion of the Cultana

Defence Training Area and increased mining and industrial activity. This will arguably exceed the capability

and capacity of the existing infrastructure and accelerate the need for a major upgrade of the airport facility.

The airport has a considerable amount of unused land suitable for commercial development especially for

the anticipated growth in air freight movements. This option needs to be investigated as part of the process

of negotiating operational options with Adelaide Airport management.



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WUDINNA AIRPORT UPGRADE

The Wudinna District Council is in the early stages of planning for expected passenger growth through the

airport resulting from the nearby Iron Road mining development. A master and business planning process is

currently being undertaken to ensure that future needs will be met.

A separate capability and logistics assessment is also being undertaken as part of the Iron Road mineral

prospect. The study has identified the need to upgrade Wudinna Airport to support the fly-in fly-out

requirements of the $2.5 billion mining operation.

In addition to meeting mining industry needs, the upgrade will allow Wudinna Airport to be positioned as the

regional gateway to central Eyre Peninsula and the Gawler Ranges.

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

The Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association has established a prioritised list of local road projects

which is used as the basis for funding applications. The road priorities are assessed on freight usage,

tourism and social priorities. The current priority list is:

LOCAL STRATEGIC FREIGHT ROADS LOCAL SOCIAL-TOURISM ROADS

• Balumbah Kinnaird Road (DC Cleve Kimba)

• OTC Road (DC Ceduna)

• Kalanbi Road (DC Ceduna)

• Nunya Road (DC Ceduna)

• Elliston Sock Route (DC Elliston)

• Mt Wedge Road (DC Elliston)

• Yallunda Flat- White Flat Road (DC Tumby

Bay)

• Sceale Bay Road (DC Streaky Bay)

• London Street Bridge (City of Pt Lincoln)

• Old Flinders Highway Road (DC Lower Eyre

Peninsula)

• Miltaburra Road (DC Ceduna)

• Beach Road (DC Franklin Harbour)

• Yallunda Flat- White Flat Road (DC Lower Eyre

Peninsula)65

Continued investment into shoulder widening programs and the installation of strategic overtaking lanes is

required by both the Federal and State Governments on the region’s main arterial highways. In the short to

medium term, shoulder widening must occur on the Flinders and Tod Highways and more overtaking lanes

need to be installed along sections of Highway One and the Lincoln Highway.

PORT LINCOLN CITY BYPASS ROUTE

The increased use of heavy B-double vehicles to transport product to and from the Port Lincoln wharf is

placing pressure on the CBD road network, which was not designed for such use. The Port Lincoln City

Council has consequently identified two bypass routes to divert heavy vehicles around the town centre.

The proposed inner city bypass would create a 5-legged roundabout at the intersection of New West Road

and Hallett Place, with uneven spacing between the approach legs. The existing roundabout will probably

need enlargement and realignment of the approach roads to achieve a layout providing even traffic flow

without favouring a particular approach. A proposed outer city bypass offers an alternative route for south-

west bound traffic travelling along the Lincoln Highway that will divert heavy vehicles away from the town

centre66. The preferred by-pass option has yet to be determined.




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KINGOONYA TO WIRRULLA ROAD

The Kingoonya to Wirrulla Road provides a 290 km link between the Stuart Highway in the north of South

Australia to the Eyre Highway. The road is presently a formed rubble surface that is very rough in some

sections and susceptible to washout in others. This route it is strategically important as it provides a short cut

that saves about 420km in road distance for drivers moving between northern Australia, the west coast of

South Australia and Western Australia.

The is gaining recognition as one of South Australia’s key outback tourism routes linking the unique

Flinders/Outback region to the Eyre Peninsula. In recent years the two tourism regions have identified the

road as an opportunity to develop and promote linked travel experiences across the two areas. There is

significant growth potential for this market with in excess of half a million visitors travelling along the Stuart

and Eyre Highways each year. Traffic along the road has grown in recent years, due to use as the main

route for drive in/drive out mining employees at Roxby Downs and Prominent Hill.

COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE

Investment is needed to provide the broadband infrastructure that is required to complement regional growth.

This would provide the incentive for the region to secure a high level internet service provider to improve

communications for the region’s communities and business enterprises.

The roll-out of the National Broadband Network will be critical to communications development.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY INFRASTRUCTURE

WHYALLA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

The Whyalla Industrial Estate was constructed during 2009 on land gifted to the Whyalla City Council by

OneSteel. Stage 1 of the facility has 140 hectares of prime industrial land serviced by a heavy duty road

network and electricity supply to meet the needs of companies servicing the mining sector.

The Whyalla Industrial Estate is strategically located adjacent to OneSteel and on the main highway

connecting Port Augusta and the Eyre Peninsula, and has potential for an additional 140 hectare expansion.

To date, around 70% of the Stage 1 blocks have been sold and construction is expected to commence over

the coming 12 months.

With financial support from the State Government and significant local government investment, this facility

has potential to be a significant driver of jobs growth supporting the focus on Whyalla as “South Australia’s

Mining Services Hub”.

WHYALLA RARE EARTHS COMPLEX

In September 2010, Arafura Resources announced its intention to build a Rare Earths Processing Complex

in Whyalla. Following successful negotiations with OneSteel the new facility will be located on land adjacent

to the OneSteel factory. The rare earth processing plant will be the first of its kind in Australia. When

established the operation is expected to supply about 10% of the world demand, producing 20,000 tonnes

from 2013.


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Minerals for the plant will be sourced from the company’s Nolan’s Bore Project in the Northern Territory. The

product will be railed to Whyalla for processing via the Adelaide to Darwin rail link.

Rare earths are chemical elements used in high-end technology products such as iPods, touch screens,

mobile phones, flat screen televisions, energy efficient light globes and hybrid cars. These minerals are

extremely valuable and priced as high as $60 a kilogram, meaning the plant is expected to generate

approximately $1 billion in annual revenue for about 20 years.

During 2011 Arafura Resources will be finalising its Environmental Impact Statement and Feasibility Study.

Pending major projects development approval, construction of the $1 billion plant is planned for 2012, with

the intention to be operational by 2013. The project will create 1,000 jobs during construction and 300

permanent jobs once the plant becomes fully operational.

The direct economic impact of the project on the City of Whyalla is estimated to be $100 million per annum.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

GAWLER RANGES TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

The Gawler Ranges National Park is South Australia’s most recently proclaimed National Park. The Park

comprises over 165,000 hectares of natural bushland and was established to conserve the unique

ecosystems and native flora and fauna. There are significant geological and heritage sites in the area.

The park can be accessed by road from Minnipa, Wudinna or Kimba. These towns are recognised as the

gateways to the Gawler Ranges.

The communities of the Gawler Ranges region have recognised that in order to develop sustainable tourism

and create jobs and economic growth they need to refine the tourism product and add value to it. The

Gawler Ranges Region Tourism and Recreation Plan provides the framework for a co-operative regional

approach to tourism development as the park incorporates two District Council boundaries and various

adjoining pastoral areas. National Parks and Wildlife also completed an infrastructure plan for the Gawler

Ranges National Park including road upgrades, designs for visitor camping facilities and self-registration

bays.

Local stakeholders have begun to implement the infrastructure priorities in recent years, but there are still a

number of recommendations that have yet to be addressed including the development of camping areas,

signage and roads.

EYRE PENINSULA INFORMATION AND INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE INFRASTRUCTURE

The Eyre Peninsula Tourism Signage Audit recommended that an integrated network of uniform tourism

signage be established throughout the region. This will achieve a more seamless experience for visitors. It

will also create stronger linkages between towns, reinforce regional branding and improve the presentation

of signage infrastructure. Strategic priorities for improvements to signage include:

• Gateway and town entrance signage,

• Sub-regional signage,

• Road side rest areas and information bays,

• Themed trails, and

• Interpretive signage.


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CUMMINS COMMUNITY MULTI PURPOSE RECREATIONAL FACILITY

The Cummins Community Multi Purpose Recreational Facility is a key strategic investment of $2.07 million

and the priority project of the Cummins district. The aim is to bring school and community sports and

recreation facilities together at one key location known as the Cummins Memorial Recreational Centre.

The project will provide a shared community facility including a commercial standard kitchen/canteen, public

and disabled access toilets, change rooms, meeting rooms, a community function room/clubroom, improved

internal sports viewing areas, and construction of umpires' rooms and all-weather, sheltered, outdoor viewing

areas.

STREAKY BAY OVAL PRECINCT

A masterplan has been prepared to upgrade the Streaky Bay Oval Precinct in several stages over 20 years.

The project will provide a quality regional sporting and community facility with the capability to host regional

events and conferences.

The master planning process identified the upgrade requirements needed to co-locate sporting and

community groups in the precinct and included a review of management structures to better promote

sporting club cooperation. The project will provide a sustainable facility that meets community aspirations

and growth potential, and greater opportunities for social inclusion.

The next stage of the project is capital intensive and funding of $1.7 million is required for the development.

PORT LINCOLN CIVIC HALL REDEVELOPMENT

The Port Lincoln Civic Hall is a regional community asset providing important theatre, art gallery and

function. The facility has been redeveloped twice since initial construction in 1936, however user demand

has out grown the facility and community cultural development growth is curtailed by infrastructure

constraints.

A $1.3 million development is needed to meet the growing cultural facility needs of the lower Eyre Peninsula

region. The redevelopment will upgrade the derelict and unused first floor of the Civic Hall to provide

additional gallery space, flexible workshop space and community meeting and function areas.

D’FACES OF YOUTH ARTS THEATRE, WHYALLA

D’Faces of Youth Arts, based in Whyalla, is the only dedicated youth arts organisation in the Whyalla and

Eyre Peninsula region. The organisation provides critical youth development and training services in

Whyalla and manages the Council’s youth arts program.

The organisation is based in a renovated hall and substantial refurbishment works are needed to provide

more appropriate training and performance facilities for the arts program.

The proposed $1.2 million refurbishment will provide sound proof recording studios, a prop construction and

storage area, disabled toilet facilities, workshop and wet area, an improved 88-seat performance space and

a new foyer with catering facilities for patrons.


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AGRICULTURE - SUSTAINABLE FARMING INITIATIVES

Farming needs to adapt to a changing climate, global financial pressures, shifts in food availability and

demand, and opportunities to make stronger contributions to the conservation of biodiversity. There will be

structural adjustment, and farmers and their advisers need to develop better business management skills

with an emphasis on risk management and profit optimisation.

Risk management is considered critical for future farm business planning. Farmers face ongoing risks in

production, climate, environment, marketing and finance. A number of tools are available to assist farmers to

manage these risks but they have not yet been widely adopted.

Innovation has been a feature of viable farm businesses on Eyre Peninsula. The ability of farmers to put

science into practice has previously been a feature of support programs provided by State agencies and

more recently by private consultants, agribusiness and farming system networks.

It is crucial that these support networks are sustained to ensure resilient and adaptable farming systems in

the future. Future challenges in farm practice include the effective use of precision agriculture technologies,

the incorporation of genetically modified crop options, managing herbicide resistant weeds, fine tuning crop

nutritional inputs, developing multi-purpose cropping and risk reduction.

Land stewardship programs can be used to assist the adoption of sustainable farm practices while protecting

and enhancing the biodiversity found in natural systems across Eyre Peninsula.

MINNIPA RESEARCH CENTRE

The Minnipa Agricultural Centre, operated by SARDI, is recognised for its world class research and

development in dry land farming. The research is applicable to many cereal and sheep growing farms on

the Eyre Peninsula.

The Minnipa Agriculture Centre has a vital role regarding the region’s capacity to deal with the challenges of

climate change and environmental sustainability. It is essential that Government and peak industry bodies

work collaboratively to commit long-term investment into maintaining and developing the facility to extend the

research programs and enable infrastructure to be established or upgraded.

CLEVE AREA SCHOOL- EXPANSION OF THE SIMS FARM TRAINING CENTRE

Sims Farm, operated by Cleve Area School, is unique as it specialises in dry land agricultural education for

aspiring young farmers. The Certificate III in Agriculture course attracts students from all parts of the Eyre

Peninsula and other rural areas of South Australia. Cleve Area School is looking to upgrade existing

facilities to expand delivery of qualifications in agriculture to a broader client base.


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INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

EYRE PENINSULA REGIONAL FOOD BRAND

The regional food brand “Eyre Peninsula – Australia’s Seafood Frontier” aims to be recognised as one of the

top five national food brands within the next four years.

The brand provides a platform for industry collaboration in market development and promotion. The market

development program aims to promote the region’s seafood as a quality product.

The strength of the program is that long term business relationships will be established with clients who are

prepared to work in partnership to strengthen consumer awareness and buying preferences regarding quality

seafood. The brand will therefore enhance consumer awareness about the region’s seafood, and increase

the economic performance and value of individual enterprises in the region.

The RDA Board recently launched a prospectus of the brand and received commitment from 35 industry

members who will drive and market the brand.


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8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & JOB CREATION STRATEGY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

The Regional Development Australia - Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Regional Economic Development

Strategy is a three year plan that aims to strengthen the region’s economic base and enhance economic

growth and development by fostering proactive partnerships between the community, business, industry,

local Councils, and State and Federal Governments. The key aims are to:

• Create an environment that is conducive to business and industry development,

• Support existing business and industry,

• Build on the region’s competitive advantages,

• Encourage sustainable and innovative practices,

• Ensure that infrastructure meets industry and community needs,

• Foster and encourage partnerships, business networks and alliances,

• Coordinate the promotion and marketing activities of the region, and

• Facilitate and plan economic development.

The anticipated key project outcomes are: (1) further development of diversified industry sectors, (2)

captured investment, (3) enhanced globally competitive businesses, and (4) the retention and generation of

employment.

Along with other regional partners, the RDAWEP Board will focus on actions that will have the greatest

impact on the regional economy and deliver real transformational change across the region.

Through sustained investment in the region’s people and businesses, and with responsibility increasingly

focused on providing strategic leadership, the RDAWEP Board will continue to create real economic benefits

for the entire region.

INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

In 2008 the Eyre Regional Development Board prepared a regional economic development plan in

partnership with the region’s local Indigenous communities, DFaHCSIA, other Federal Government and

Stage Government agencies to identify opportunities and pathways for indigenous involvement in the growth

of the Eyre Peninsula economy. The recommendations will continue to be implemented by RDAWEP.

The goal is to create a vibrant and dynamic Indigenous community which balances cultural and social goals

with sustainable economic development. The aim is to provide a strategy for the development of local

economic growth and opportunities for Indigenous training and employment.

The Plan identified Indigenous involvement in five industry sectors: (1) mining, (2) the Indigenous and local

economy, (3) land based activities in agriculture, horticulture and natural resources management, (4) water,

sea and land based activities in commercial fishing and aquaculture, and (5) tourism and the arts.

The report recognised the vast area of country in the Eyre Peninsula and acknowledged that there are

different priorities and opportunities for Indigenous communities in three different regional sectors:

• Yalata and Oak Valley region - the northern region,

• Ceduna and surrounding areas region – the central region, and

• Port Lincoln and surrounding region – the southern region.


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Economic development activities in the strategy are guided by the following principles:

• Commitment to the quality of life in the region for Indigenous people and the need to ensure that

economic development and employment and training opportunities are suited to Indigenous community

needs.

• Commitment to the sustainable economic development of business and economic wealth for Indigenous

communities.

• Commitment to constructive and informed consultation and discussion with the local Indigenous

community regarding action options to improve the economic life of a community.

In order to achieve the project aim, five key strategies were selected for implementation:

• Establish good corporate governance and corporate structure.

• Establish a solid business investment methodology and framework for the corporate structure.

• Implement regional Indigenous economic development opportunities in the five industry

sectors.

• Develop real employment and training opportunities that relate to key strategic business areas.

• Develop small business strategies and support systems from the ground up.

Indigenous communities of this region are arguably over ten years behind some other Indigenous groups in

Australia in terms of business investment and wealth creation. The Indigenous Economic Development

Strategy aims to fast track the economic development of Indigenous communities in the region but only if:

• Government provides the appropriate resources for a minimum of three years to enable the

economic development organisations to become established and successful. The investment

required will be in the order of $7 million over 3 years subject to the number of viable regional

businesses that are developed.

• Government provides some initial equity and cash flow for businesses to enable them to go out and

borrow the balance of funds for commercial projects on a normal commercial basis.

• The existing restricted caveats, Government purpose agreements, uncertainty of title and defunct

leasing arrangements on existing community land and building assets can be resolved to allow

suitable economic development to proceed.

• That the communities, individuals and Native Title holders endorse an appropriate structure that

separates commercial decision making from social agendas and control67.

67

Indigenous Communities Regional Economic Development Plan- Eyre Peninsula, MLCS Corporate Services, December 2008


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JOB CREATION STRATEGY

The South Australia Works in the Regions program helps organisations and networks to identify training and

employment needs and address them in ways appropriate to the region.

RDAWEP administers the South Australia Works in the Regions program in partnership with Employment

and Skills Formation Network’s (ESFN) in Whyalla and the Eyre region. ESFN’s are responsible for

coordinating local employment and skills planning and delivery, and consist of people from business,

industry, regional economic bodies, Commonwealth, State and Local Government, employment and training

providers, non-government and community organisations.

The region’s two ESFN’s facilitate a collaborative, coordinated and targeted approach to learning, training

and employment issues at the regional level and have been established to:

• Consult with the local community on employment and skills formation issues,

• Develop partnerships which use the expertise and resources available in the region,

• Develop regional Employment and Skills Formation Plans that address the local training and

employment needs of individuals and industry, and

• Respond effectively and quickly to changes in local conditions.

The ESFN has developed a Regional Employment and Workforce Development Strategic Plan (2009-2012)

for the area. The plan recognises the divergent populations, labour markets and industry characteristics of

the region and the high numbers of unemployed youth and Aboriginal people. The plan also acknowledges

the need to focus on entry level employment opportunities to build work history and a sustainable work ethic

for the long term disengaged.

RDAWEP has endorsed and adopted the plan for the region and the key priorities are in the process of being

implemented.

EYRE REGIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

The Eyre region has a relatively low unemployment rate and high levels of labour market participation.

However, unemployed people generally experience long term disadvantage and barriers which require

individualised support.

Target groups are not always evident through Centrelink eligibility. For example, people experiencing the

financial impact of sustained drought, especially farming families, are not often registered with Centrelink but

nevertheless seek support through training and employment options. Employment barriers in the region

include geographic isolation, the lack of public transport, and lack of knowledge about the availability of

suitable support programs.

Innovative approaches may be needed to identify and engage target group participants to ensure that

access to workforce development planning is available across the region. Case management, with clear

work experience links to industry needs and the establishment of cooperative stakeholder relationships

(between providers, industry, participants and communities) is a proven success formula for meeting and

exceeding employment targets.


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WHYALLA REGIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

Whyalla experiences high levels of disadvantage among target groups. With an economic base strongly

focussed on manufacturing, the labour market in Whyalla can be adversely affected by the economic

climate. There is a need for Whyalla to enhance relationships between providers and industry to engage

local people in job opportunities. Collaborative funding models have been proven to generate employment

outcomes by linking disadvantaged people to industry needs.

The change in the economic climate requires a consistent, creative approach to service delivery. Engaging

industry and identifying participants who are keen to overcome their employment barriers continues to

provide challenges in an evolving economy. The need for individualised career planning advice linked to

case management will continue to play an integral role in addressing employment issues.

THE FACILITATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The Eyre and Whyalla Regional Workforce Development Networks have identified that workforce

development needs to be facilitated by (1) increasing workforce participation, (2) increasing industry

engagement, and (3) building regional capacity to support state wide economic direction. Strategies within

this framework include:

• Assist South Australia Works to get target groups into employment and training. Support unemployed

people in disadvantaged areas to access employment and training opportunities through the South

Australia Works in the Regions program. The region will partner with organisations that offer a range of

tailored support programs and have previously achieved successful employment outcomes for

disadvantaged people. Assistance will come in a range of forms including:

o Case management,

o Barrier identification and intervention programs,

o Mentoring, and

o Career Development Services.

• Provide skills training in areas of industry need. Target skills training in areas where people are most

likely to gain employment and which support the needs of the region’s largest industries. A range of non-

accredited training options may also be considered including licenses, first aid and general employability

skills. Programs target areas include:

o Heavy industry,

o Health and Community Services,

o Customer Service,

o Building and Construction, and

o Mining

• Collaborate with industry to identify workforce challenges. A priority will be to identify and develop

programs which partner with industry to achieve employment and training outcomes. This will

incorporate a range of strategies that may include:

o Industry forums,

o Regional workforce development planning,

o Investigating up skilling and retention strategies,

o Providing rapid responses to project workforce requirements, and

o Exploring and addressing employer barriers.


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• Building partnerships with stakeholders to maximise employment and skill development. Building

partnerships across the region is integral to maximise the potential of workforce participation and

industry engagement objectives. A range of activities will be undertaken to meet this objective and may

include:

o Obtaining assistance from the three tiers of Government,

o Partnering with industry, training and employment service providers and community

organisations, and

o Further development of the Regional Workforce Development networks.

KEEP AUSTRALIA WORKING PROGRAM

In 2009, the Australian Government established a Keep Australia Working program for the priority

employment area of Port Augusta-Whyalla-Port Pirie. This is part of the Australian Government response to

the global recession. The Upper Spencer Gulf area of Port Augusta-Whyalla-Port Pirie was identified as

one of twenty priority employment areas across Australia that are most vulnerable to unemployment during

times of economic downturn. The program appointed a local employment coordinator who formed a Keep

Australia Working Advisory Committee of key local stakeholders to assist the project.

A Regional Employment Plan was prepared for the area which identified the need to give appropriate career

guidance, education and skills to young people and to match the skills of local job seekers, particularly

Aboriginal people, with industry workforce needs.

The plan also recognises the need to link with and support existing organisations in the target area that are

working to connect job seekers with training and employment opportunities, including Regional Development

Australia and the South Australia Works in the Regions program Employment Skills and Formation

Networks.

As the Upper Spencer Gulf priority employment area includes Whyalla, RDAWEP will work cooperatively

with the Keep Australia Working Program, the Far North, Yorke and Mid North RDA’s and the SA Works

program to ensure that job creation strategies across the target area will be achieved.

WORKFORCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT – TOURISM

It is essential that relevant, accessible training and mentoring is provided to develop the capacity and

capability of people and organisations involved in planning, developing, managing and promoting the

region’s tourism product.

The identification of tourism training needs is critical to the provision of targeted training programs to extend

the existing skills base and raise standards across the region.

Business development initiatives need to provide training programs to assist managers and owners of

tourism enterprises to improve business management and networking across the region.


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9. DEVELOPING THE REGIONAL PROFILE

RDAWEP STAKEHOLDERS

The following stakeholders were consulted during the process of preparing the regional profile:

REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS:

• RDA Board Members

• Local Government RDA member Councils

• Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association

• EP Natural Resource Management Board

• Tourism Eyre Peninsula

• Eyre Peninsula Skills/ Formation Network.

• Indigenous organisations

• Peak Industry sector organisations (Fishing, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Tourism)

• EP Drought Taskforce

• Minnipa Agriculture Centre

• Lincoln Marine Science Centre

• Local Business and Tourism Associations

• Regional Facilitation Network

STATE GOVERNMENT STAKEHOLDERS:

• Department of Trade Economic Development (DTED)

• Primary Industries Resources SA (PIRSA)

• Department of Further Education, Employment, Science Technology (DFEEST)

• Department of Transport, Energy Infrastructure (DTEI)

• Department of Planning and Local Government

• SA Tourism Commission (SATC)

• Department for Water

• Department of Health

• Department of Premier and Cabinet

• Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR)

• Office for Recreation and Sport

• Indigenous Lands Trust

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STAKEHOLDERS:

• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

• Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

• Infrastructure Australia

• Department of Foreign Affairs Trade (DFAT)

• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (DFaHCSIA)

• Department of Innovation, Industry Science and Research

• Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

• Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

• Department of Defence

• Department of Immigration and Citizenship

• Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism

• Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts


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CONSULTATION METHODOLOGY

Stage 1 Compile Background data

Input from Councils, NRM, EPLGA, Planning SA, Indigenous Organisations, ESF Networks,

RCN Network, Tourism Eyre Peninsula, Government agencies, key industry representatives

Stage 2 Interpret and analyse

Meet with Councils (EPLGA) to confirm issues priorities

Interpret and analyse existing Government and non-government strategic plans and strategies

Identify strategic objectives and key Government directions within the Board’s vision strategic

direction

Stage 3 Draft and refine

Prepare and present final draft Regional Plan to Councils (at a meeting of the EPLGA) and other

key regional Stakeholders to consult and seek feedback.

Consider and include final feedback from the stakeholders

Stage 4 Finalise and Release

Refine final planning document and formally launch to stakeholders.

Stage 5 Review and Update

The Regional Profile will be reviewed and updated at least annually. The review may occur

more often if circumstances in the region change significantly and staff resources permit.


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REVIEW

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Regional Profile is a living document that will change from time to time in

accordance with strategic planning and project activity across the region.

RDAWEP staff will monitor and document the progress of projects on an ongoing basis and establish a

tracking procedure for this purpose. When there has been a sufficient amount of change to warrant a new

edition of the Regional Profile, a draft report will be prepared for consultation.

The draft report will be issued to regional stakeholders for comment, refinement and amendment prior to

being released. The stakeholder consultation process may vary from time to time, but will normally include

the following elements:

• Draft Regional Profile issued to RDAWEP Board members for in-principle endorsement before

release to other stakeholders.

• Draft report issued to member Councils of the EPLGA.

• Draft report issued to the EPNRM Board.

• Draft report issued to key business and industry sectors. This may include presentations and

workshops across the region.

• Draft report issued to relevant State and Australian Government departments.

• Draft report made available for download from the RDAWEP website for general community

consultation purposes.

• Comments and submissions reviewed and included in the draft final report as appropriate.

• Final report issued to RDAWEP Board for endorsement and public release.


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10. STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

The strengths, weaknesses, gaps and opportunities for the RDAWEP region are summarised in the SWOT

analysis table on pages 126-130.

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region is well positioned to facilitate, support and embrace a broad range of

significant economic and community developments. The regional economy is diverse with world-leading

companies in agriculture, manufacturing, aquaculture, fishing, industry research, renewable energy, mining

and tourism. The region has many unique attributes and competitive advantages including significant export

and domestic growth opportunities, magnificent natural resources and vibrant communities.

REGIONAL STRENGTHS

The region has a wealth of natural assets which are essential for liveability and a quality lifestyle. The Eyre

Peninsula offers a pristine environment with large areas of native vegetation, clean unpolluted waters, and

vast stretches of untouched coastline. The regional economy is consequently able to capitalise on these

natural attributes and market the capacity to harvest high quality, clean and green products from the land

and sea.

The sustainability of the agriculture, fishing and aquaculture industries is extremely important to the regional

economy and these industries are gaining a widespread reputation for quality of product and best practice

management. These are key factors for regional branding and long term business success.

Collectively the region’s natural and food product attributes provide a strong base for desirable, attractive

and exciting tourism experiences. Tourism is consequently one of the fastest growing industries in the

region.

In view of the various natural assets, the region is recognised internationally as one of the best locations for

wind, solar and wave technology, and has the potential to supply 30% of the national renewable energy

target by 2020.

The region also has significant manufacturing strength. The City of Whyalla is fast gaining a reputation as

South Australia’s Mining Services Hub and is the centre for major manufacturing and resource processing in

the Upper Spencer Gulf area. Whyalla is strategically located with transport, engineering, business and

retail sectors directly involved in meeting the needs of mining and mineral processing operations.

With the added asset of the Gawler Craton and Eucla Basin mineral provinces, the region is widely

recognised as one of the most exciting new frontiers for mineral wealth in Australia.

REGIONAL CHALLENGES

The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region has always been challenged when it comes to the provision and

maintenance of strategic infrastructure, due to the compounding constraints of large geographic size, sparse

population and remoteness from Adelaide.

Efficient and productive infrastructure is a prerequisite to ensuring the region’s economic growth and

competitiveness, and considerable investment is needed in the immediate future in transport infrastructure

(ports, airports, roads and rail networks), water supply, communications technology, and the electricity

transmission system.


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Water is the most critical issue that will impact the future prosperity and growth of the region. With limited

water resources, forecast population growth and increasing water needs for industry the demand for potable

water is predicted to exceed supply in about ten years. The provision of a new water supply through either

desalination is or some other means therefore critical to regional sustainability.

The lack of capacity of the electrical transmission system, the impact of marine parks on seafood industries

and coastal communities, and the economic and employment consequences of the southern bluefin tuna

quota reduction are matters of serious concern for the region.

REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Regional opportunities nevertheless abound. The Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula is recognised as one of

South Australia’s most resourceful, innovative and economically vibrant regions. World class industry based

research is already conducted throughout the region in several fields including innovative programs and

projects at the Minnipa Agriculture Centre and the Lincoln Marine Science Centre.

Innovation is a key driver of productivity and competitiveness, stimulating new businesses, new jobs and

revitalising established industries. This is important to build business and industry capability to address the

collective challenges of climate change, environmental sustainability, increasing global competition and

fluctuating market prices.

Although the region has a statistically low unemployment rate there is a high demand for a skilled workforce

across all industry sectors. New and emerging industries - including aquaculture, food processing, tourism,

mining and renewable energy - are providing numerous opportunities for new employment as well as

diversifying the regional workforce and skills base.

Mining is already having a significant impact creating a range of employment opportunities for local people

and this is expected to grow dramatically over the next few years. The emergence of the resources sector

will be a catalyst for a number of related major projects in the region, especially the demand for and

immediate growth in infrastructure. For example, the infrastructure implications from the recently announced

Central Eyre Iron Project are quite significant and are likely to include the construction of new deep sea port,

construction of a slurry pipeline from the mine site to the port, provision of a 275KV electricity transmission

line to the mine site from Port Augusta, new roads works and the development of a 27 gigalitre per annum

desalination facility at the port. There are also infrastructure upgrade opportunities for rail lines and Wudinna

Airport, along with township redevelopment possibilities at Wudinna.

Similar projects across the region will bring tangible long term benefits by further strengthening local

industries and driving sustainable economic growth well into the future.

In short, the strengths and opportunities of the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula region outweigh the threats and

constraints by a large degree, and have the potential to transform the region into one of the most desirable

regional living locations in Australia.


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SWOT ANALYSIS - WHYALLA AND EYRE PENINSULA REGION

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

NATURAL RESOURCES

Geographic size and remoteness

Pristine, unspoilt environment

Extensive stretch of coastline

Sparsely populated region

Availability of space

An abundance of natural energy resources: wind, solar,

wave

Mild Mediterranean climate

The region consists of a clearly defined geographic area

Untapped mineral wealth

Geographic size of the region

Remoteness of the region

Water supply limitations

Seasonally dependent industries

POPULATION

Capacity for population growth

Above average youth and mature aged populations

Relatively low living costs

High quality lifestyle

Ageing population

Declining population in some inland centres.

Drift of youth away from regional towns to the

metropolitan area.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Well developed core infrastructure

3 major regional airports with RPT services

4 major port facilities

A good network of major highways and arterial roads

Natural gas supply to Whyalla

Availability of industrial land in Whyalla

Significant defence training facilities in Whyalla

Affordable housing and land

Wallaroo to Lucky Bay Ferry Service

Ageing transport infrastructure- Ports, rail, roads and

airports

Lack of access to high speed broadband

Narrow gauge rail network that is not connected to the

main State network.

Limited capacity of the power distribution system

Port infrastructure and shipping capacity

Infrastructure capacity limitations to cater for tourism

growth

No liquefied gas plant at Whyalla

Poor mobile phone coverage in some areas

Limited mining export storage and handling systems at

ports

Lack of a natural gas supply pipeline across the Eyre

Peninsula

No liquefied natural gas storage in Whyalla


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SERVICES

Recognised specialist research institutions: Minnipa

Agriculture Centre and the Pt Lincoln Marine Science Centre

University of SA- Whyalla Campus in Whyalla

An extensive network of regional health services including

11 hospitals (Whyalla and Pt Lincoln provide the major

regional hospitals)

An extensive network of primary and secondary school

facilities.

TAFESA regional campus facilities located in most centres

throughout the region.

Emergency services - Ambulance, Fire and SES – located in

most communities

Transport access issues- road and air

Absence of integrated regional public transport.

Ongoing centralisation and withdrawal of services to

larger regional centres or Adelaide.

Difficult access to medical professionals, particularly in

smaller communities

Need to leave communities to undertake some higher

education and vocational training

Access to low cost accommodation for transit and

season workforce.

Access to and shortage of child care places/ facilities

Withdrawal of local Court services from Ceduna.

Inconsistent service delivery into Indigenous

communities (usually with a change of Government)

Ongoing lack of coordination between Government

agencies in the delivery of services resulting in

duplication and waste of resources.

Lack of consultation by Government agencies with

communities to identify priorities and address issues

(‘top down’ approach- rather than listening to

community based solutions)

Lack of volunteers for key services in some

communities

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

Extensive business services and retail hubs on offer,

particularly in Whyalla and Pt Lincoln

Clean, green, world class food produce: grain, livestock and

seafood

The region produces 70 per cent of South Australia’s

seafood produce

The region produces 45 per cent of the State’s grain crop.

Presence of strong manufacturing and engineering

businesses in Whyalla.

Emerging mining industry in the region

Consumers recognise the area as a pristine, unspoilt area.

Development of the Seafood Frontier brand as a

collaborative seafood industry initiative.

Unique and diverse range of seafood products.

Market reputation for premium seafood products

World’s best practice fisheries management.

Unique range of tourism products and experiences on offer

Innovative research and education institutions

Innovative seafood and agriculture industries

Fluctuating prices of commodities

Distance to markets

Freight costs

Infrastructure supply chain impediments i.e. ports,

roads, airports, rail system, cold chain logistics

Seasonal availability and supply of food produce

Tuna quota reduction

Withdrawal of the trade start export program from the

region

Lack of investment into key regional transport and

supply chain infrastructure

Reduction of some Government funded programs

Government red tape bureaucracy

The negative impact of Fair work Australia legislation


128


WORKFORCE SKILLS

High workforce participation rate

Strong growth of key industries

Good vocational and higher education facilities.

Active and successful SA Works program

Whyalla has a growing migrant population

High proportion of the population has Certificate III and IV

qualifications.

High rates of youth unemployment

Low level of literacy and numeracy among Indigenous

people and some young people

Indigenous people and youth have lower attendance

and school retention rates

High rate of unemployed Indigenous and young people

Some long term disengaged people (especially in

Whyalla, Pt Lincoln and Ceduna).

Whyalla has a higher level of entrenched welfare

dependency because of inter-generational

unemployment and more complex barriers to

engagement with education.

Closure of some CDEP program from regional

communities without a transition process being put in

place.

High workforce turnover in the tourism industry

Shortage of skilled workforce in some areas

Shortage of GP’s and medical professionals in the

region

Some communities have difficulty attracting and

retaining professionals

Access to training and education for tourism operators,

business owners and employees

Impact of fair work Australia legislation

Constraints of the youth allowance

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

NATURAL

Geographic size and remoteness

Pristine, unspoilt environment

Extensive stretch of coastline

Sparsely populated region

Availability of space

An abundance of natural energy resources: wind, solar,

wave

The region consists of a clearly defined geographic area

Geographic size of the region

Remoteness of the region

Water supply

Seasonally dependent industries

Climate change

POPULATION

Capacity for population growth

Relatively low living costs

High quality lifestyle

Ageing population

Declining population in some inland centres.

Ongoing drift of young people away from regional towns

to the metropolitan area.


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INFRASTRUCTURE

Development of the Green Grid for renewable energy

Opportunities to establish desalination plant in the region

Opportunities to establish or upgrade strategic deep water

port facilities

Water re-use programs and catchment initiatives

Establishment of Whyalla as a sustainability hub

Establishment of the Wizard solar power project in Whyalla

Fully develop key industrial estates

Develop strategic fishing industry unloading facilities in Pt

Lincoln and Ceduna

Upgrade the region’s power distribution supply network.

Opportunities to establish strategic consolidated bulk storage

sites

Establish more affordable housing clusters in key centres.

Development of world-class, high end accommodation

facilities (4-5 star)

Lack of Government and private investment into

strategic infrastructure

Increased Government red tape during the

development approval process

The introduction of the coastal planning policy

Lack of affordable housing

SERVICES

Development of the research services and expertise of the

region’s key education institutions.

Further expansion of defence services in Whyalla.

Opportunity for Government agencies to better coordinate

services into regional communities.

Impact of new security requirements on regional

airports

Impact of waste management policy on local

government

‘Adelaide centric’ government

Further reduction of Government funded programs

Centralisation and withdrawal of key Government

services

Inconsistency of service delivery to Indigenous

communities

Lack of coordination between Government agencies in

the delivery of services resulting in duplication, and

waste of resources.

Lack of consultation by Government agencies with

communities to identify priorities and address issues

(‘top down’ approach- rather than listening to

community based solutions)


130


BUSINESS/ INDUSTRY

Opportunity to expand the region’s food product into new

export markets

Opportunity to value add to seafood and other food produce.

Seasonal availability and supply of food produce

Consolidation of freight services

More effective utilisation of online marketing tools by

regional businesses to expand market sales

Commercial joint venture investment opportunities for

Indigenous communities into key business sectors.

Establishment of Lower Eyre Peninsula as a centre for

conferences and conventions.

Further development of the region’s unique tourism

products.

Development of the region as a world class culinary tourism

destination

Diversification of the region’s agriculture industry

Opportunity for the further uptake of adaptive farming

techniques and technologies.

Successful captive spawning and grow out of Southern

Bluefin Tuna

Ongoing impact of the global financial crisis

Increasing fuel and oil prices

Increasing costs of production

Coastal planning policy

Impact of the marine park network

Impact of climate change

Implications of climate change policy on the region’s

food producing industries

Prevailing drought conditions

Impact of the deregulation of the grain industry

Commitment of ongoing funding from Government to

operate the regional food program

Implementation of the Minerals Resources Rental tax

Centralisation of the trade start program to Adelaide

Centralisation of the food program to Adelaide.

WORKFORCE/ SKILLS

Attract skilled migrants to the region

Expand job opportunities in emerging industry sectors

More flexible delivery of training programs.

Closer links with industry for the delivery of on the job

training programs.

Expand the courses available at the University of SA-

Whyalla campus

Increase the availability of vocational education and higher

educations courses online.

Ongoing ‘drain’ of young people to the metropolitan

area

Ageing population resulting in more people retiring from

the workforce

Skills shortages in the region’s industries

Ongoing shortfall of medical professionals locating in

regional towns (particularly GP’s).

Sub-standard regional training providers delivering sub-

standard training to regional communities, business and

industry

Reduction of Government investment into training and

skills development programs.

Fair Work Australia Legislation


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VISION, MISSION AND GOALS

Regional Development Australia, Whyalla and the Eyre Peninsula is the key regional and economic

development agency on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula and west coast. The newly established body is an

independent incorporated organisation funded via a tripartite agreement between the region’s 11 Local

Government Councils, the State Government’s Department of Trade and Economic Development and the

Federal Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local

Government.

VISION

An innovative, internationally competitive regional economy that is ecologically sustainable and a great place

to live.

MISSION

To develop a globally competitive economy for the communities in the region through fostering

environmentally sustainable business and industry development and export initiatives.

GOALS

GOAL INFRASTRUCTURE Increase investment in strategic areas of infrastructure such as transport,

ports, airports, rail, water and energy to support the long term growth of

the region’s industries.

BUSINESS CAPABILITY Develop thriving, growing businesses and new industries that increase economic activity.

EXPORTS Increased international trade from the region.

INVESTMENT Increased business investment into the region.

INNOVATION Cultivate innovative, globally competitive businesses in the region.

POPULATION Maintain the region’s proportional share of South Australia’s population.

COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY

Build the capacity of the region's communities to ensure open and diverse culture, strong civic leadership and a high quality of life which is underpinned by a prosperous growing economy.

EMPLOYMENT Ensure that the region's people have the necessary education and skills to actively participate in employment opportunities that support growing businesses and industries.

SKILLS Ensure the supply of a highly skilled workforce to meet existing and future needs of the region's businesses and industries.


132

BUSINESS OF RDA WHYALLA AND EYRE PENINSULA

The RDA Board is committed to strengthening the region’s economic base by:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment,

• Connecting the region through the provision of effective hard and soft infrastructure,

• Matching skills provision to employer and industry needs,

• Developing the region’s products for export markets,

• Attracting investment to the region,

• Encouraging and supporting business and industry innovation,

• Leading business, industry, and Eyre Peninsula’s communities on economic and regional development

issues, and

• Business and export advisory services.

CORE VALUES

The RDA Board embraces the following core values:

• Regional leadership,

• Accessible to and inclusive of all stakeholders,

• Dynamic and innovative performance,

• Commitment to excellence,

• Passion and commitment to the region, and

• Professionalism, integrity, respect and trust.

SUMMARY OF SERVICES

The RDA provides a diverse range of regional development services to Eyre Peninsula and the west coast.

Being a small organisation enables the Board to develop and maintain close and effective collaborative

working relationships with the region’s local communities, business and industry sectors.

The organisation is responsible for the project management of a range of significant cross-Government

projects, programs and services, which include:

Regional Development Services

• Infrastructure planning and development,

• Infrastructure advice for business and industry,

• Facilitation of investment projects,

• Sourcing of industrial and commercial land,

• Access and contact with business and services networks,

• Research assistance for new, expanding or diversifying businesses,

• Sourcing funding,

• Sourcing grants, and

• Advocacy role on issues of strategic importance to the region.

Business Advisory Services

• Business planning,

• Small business support , and

• Organisation and facilitation of training programs for small business.


133

Export Assistance

• Facilitation of the Austrade Tradestart program,

• Export market development,

• Product development for export,

• Market research,

• Export development support,

• Product promotion - food and trade shows at international level, and

• Overseas trade contact.

Food Industry Development

• Product and market capability development,

• Regional food network development,

• Facilitation of food industry clusters,

• Product promotion - food and trade shows at international level,

• Facilitation of food industry training, and

• Regional food branding.

Indigenous Economic Development

• Assistance with business planning,

• Business development and facilitation support, and

• Identification and facilitation of employment and training initiatives.

Employment and Training

• Management of the Employment and Skills Formation Network,

• Identifying skills needs in the region,

• Skill based training initiatives, and

• Delivery of SA Works training programs.

Skilled Migration

• Identifying business and industry skills shortages, and

• Assist businesses source skilled migrants.

ACTION PLAN AND PROJECT PRIORITIES

The RDAWEP Action Plan includes projects that have been prioritised according to the following criteria:

PRIORITY CRITERIA 1 Critical for Regional Growth and Sustainability

2 Very Important for Regional Growth and Sustainability

3 Important for Regional Growth and Sustainability

4 Desirable for Regional Growth and Sustainability

5 Low Importance for Regional Growth and Sustainability

134

ACTION PLAN

Goal

Priority

Action to Undertaken

(Strategic Direction)

Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes

Key Performance Indicators

(KPI)

INFRASTRUCTURE

Increase investment in

strategic areas of

infrastructure such as

transport, ports,

airports, rail, water and

energy to support the

long term

growth of

industries.

1 1 1 3

Proactively im

prove and im

plement

strategic hard infrastructure.

Improve the supply and distribution of

energy.

Improve the quality and supply of

water.

Support the establishment of strategic

infrastructure to enhance mining

development and operations.

RDA- WEP, SA W

ater,

ETSA utilities, mining

companies, local

government, DTEI, State

Government agencies,

Federal Government

agencies.

These can be existing

Government or private

initiatives within or

outside the region.

July 2012

• Number of major projects assisted.

• Value of economic infrastructure

development projects assisted.

1 2 2 3 2 2

Maximise the use of strategic port

facilities to grow the region.

Support the development of strategic

regional airports.

Support the upgrade and development

of railw

ay infrastructure.

Establish strategically located

competitive grain and m

inerals bulk

handling and storage facilities.

Assist the establishment of

strategically located seafood unloading

facilities.

Maximise the standard of road

infrastructure to facilitate efficient

transport routes across the region.

RDA- WEP, EPLGA,

Flinders Ports, Viterra,

Free Eyre, m

ining

companies, SACOME,

Gypsum Resources

Australia, Genessee &

Wyoming Australia,

fishing industry, local

government, DTEI, State


Federal Government

agencies.

As above.

July 2012




135

Goal

Priority



Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes


(KPI)

INFRASTRUCTURE

3 3

Support business and industry with key

strategic waste m

anagement solutions.


water re-use schemes storm

water

catchment initiatives.

4 1 3

Support the creation of new and

refreshed tourism

developments.

Develop and im

plement the Eyre

Peninsula and W

hyalla Tourism

Infrastructure Plans.

Improve visitor access to the region to

encourage tourism

growth.

RDA- WEP, local

tourism

businesses,

local government, SA

Tourism

Commission,

Dept of Resources,

Energy Tourism

, other

Federal Government

agencies.

As above.

July 2012




BUSINESS

CAPABILITY

Develop thriving,

growing businesses and

new industries that

increase economic

activity.

3 3 1 1

Actively support the development of

value added seafood products.

Initiate opportunities to value add to

broad acre grain and livestock product.

Sustain and develop new m

arket

initiatives in intrastate and interstate

markets.

Develop a distinctive regional food

brand.

RDA- WEP, EPLGA,

local farm

ers, Minnipa

Research Centre,

Viterra, Free Eyre,

fishing industry, Food

SA, DAFF, GRDC,

MLA.


or new food initiatives

facilitated by the RDA-

WEP, government or

private sector within or

outside the region.

July 2012

• Number of business workshops

facilitated.

• Number of participating businesses.

• Number of business assisted.

136

Goal

Priority



Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes


(KPI)

BUSINESS

CAPABILITY

Develop thriving,


new industries that

increase economic

activity.

2 3

Develop the region as a culinary

tourism

destination.

Develop and implement a corporate

and

conference

tourism

market

program.

RDA- WEP, local

tourism

businesses,

local government, SA

Tourism

Commission,

Food SA, Federal

Government agencies.

RDA-W

EP to facilitate

as a new initiative in

partnership with SA

Tourism

Commission

and the private sector.

July 2012

• Total number of businesses assisted.

• Total value of investm

ent of

businesses assisted.

• Number of businesses assisted in

major projects.

• Total value of local investment

secured.

1

Support the establishment of

sustainable and commercially viable

exploration and m

ining projects in the

Eucla Basin, Gawler Craton and the

Great Australian Bight.

RDA- WEP, EPLGA,

Flinders Ports, Viterra,

Free Eyre, mining

companies, SACOME,

fishing industry, local

government, State


Federal Government

agencies.


Government or private

initiatives within or

outside the region.

July 2012


facilitated.



4 2

Support sustainable and viable

agribusiness opportunities.

Assist the development of agriculture

sector adaptation and management

skills, including risk management.

RDA- WEP, EPLGA,

local farm

ers, EP

Drought Taskforce,

Minnipa Research

Centre, Viterra, Free

Eyre, Food SA, PIRSA,

DAFF, GRDC, MLA, EP

NRM,

As above.

July 2012


facilitated.



137

Goal

Priority



Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes


(KPI)

BUSINESS

CAPABILITY

Develop thriving,


new industries that

increase economic

activity.

3 3 3 3 3 3

Support indigenous participation in

joint venture investm

ent opportunities.

Work with indigenous leaders and

communities to identify and develop

business opportunities for local

indigenous involvement in the delivery

in m

ining contracts, participation in

joint venture arrangements and the

establishment of other mining related

businesses.

Identify and support commercially

viable opportunities for indigenous

investm

ent and participation in the

region's fishing and aquaculture

sector.

Assist indigenous organisations and

communities to develop farm

ing

property assets into commercially

profitable farm

ing enterprises

supporting livestock production and

broad acre cropping programs.

Support indigenous organisations

develop and expand the key regional

arts and culture centre businesses.

Provide business advice and

mentoring support to new and existing

indigenous enterprises.

RDA- WEP, DEEWR,

DFaHCSIA, IBA, ALT,

local Indigenous

communities and

groups, Dept of Premier

Cabinet, local

government, other State


other Federal


RDA-W

EP to facilitate

new andexisting

initiatives in

partnership with

Indigenous

communities

organisations,

Government, the

private sector within

and outside the

region.

July 2012

• Number of Aboriginal B

usinesses

assisted.


ent Aboriginal

Business.

138

Goal

Priority



Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes


(KPI)

BUSINESS

CAPABILITY

Develop thriving,


new industries that

increase economic

activity.

3

Identify and support commercially

viable opportunities for indigenous

investm

ent and participation in the

tourism

sector.

•

3 1 2 2

Assist regional businesses develop

through high standards of professional

support and advice including business

planning, marketing and financial

management.

Position W

hyalla as the Mining

Services and Education Hub of South

Australia.

Encourage the growth of the

construction industry.

Facilitate investment and growth in the

retail and services sector .

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, mining

companies, local

government, SACOME,

Dept Trade Economic

Development,

AusIndustry, Dept of

Resources, Energy

Tourism

, Federal


other State Government

agencies.


or new Government or

private initiatives

within or outside the

region.

July 2012


facilitated.




ent of



major projects.


secured.

1

Actively represent Industries and

Communities in the development of

Government Marine Policy and

Planning.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, fishing

industry, local

government, Dept of

Environment Natural

Resources (DENR), EP

NRM, Federal


State Government

agencies.

RDA-W

EP to facilitate

the existing initiative in

partnership with

fishing industry and

local government and

across the region.

July 2012

• Identification of barriers to growth in

the Region and mitigation Strategies.


139

Goal

Priority



Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes


(KPI)

EXPORTS

Increased international

trade from the region.

4 3

Support export awareness initiatives

and development programs.

Develop new m

arket opportunities and

marketing expertise in export m

arkets.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, fishing

industry, local

government, Austrade,

Dept of Trade and

Economic Development

(DTED).

RDA-W

EP to support

the existing Austrade

program in

partnership with,

Government, the


and outside the

region.

July 2012

• Number of exporters assisted and

value of their export.

• Value of export sales.

INVESTMENT

Increased business

investm

ent into the

region.

4 1 2 3

Assist venture capital opportunities to

businesses and industry.

Actively promote the region as a

preferred location for business and

industry investment.

Support the establishment of

strategically located industrial estates.

Encourage

and

support

strategic

coastal development initiatives.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, local

government, Dept of

Trade Economic

Development, other

State Government, other

Federal Government

agencies.



private initiatives


region.

July 2012

• Total number of businesses assisted.


ent of


• Number of Aboriginal B

usinesses

assisted.


ent Aboriginal

Business.


major projects.


secured.

140

Goal

Priority



Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes


(KPI)

INNOVATION

Cultivate innovative,

globally competitive

businesses.

3 2 1

Encourage business and industry

based research, development and

commercialisation initiatives.

Support the expansion and

development of key regional research

institutions and universities in the

region, including Uni S

A W

hyalla

campus as a regional sustainability

centre.

Establish the region as a national

centre for innovative renewable energy

technologies including; wave, solar

and wind energy.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, Minnipa

Research Centre,

Lincoln Marine Science

Centre, University of SA-

Whyalla, wind energy

companies, W

izard

Power, other renewable

energy companies,

local government,

AusIndustry, Dept of

Resources, Energy

Tourism

, Dept of Trade

Economic Development,

other State Government,

other Federal




private initiatives


region.

July 2012

• Number of businesses assisted to

bring new products to m

arket..

• Number of businesses assisted to

introduce processes that boost

productivity and competitiveness.

POPULATION

Maintain the region's

proportional share of

South Australia’s

population.

4 2

Support the im

plementation of the

regional m

igration program to ensure

the region's businesses and industry

attract skilled migrants where

appropriate.

Support new and existing industry with

workforce development and retention

initiatives.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, local

government, Dept of

Immigration and

Citizenship, Dept of

Further Education,

Employm

ent, Science

Technology (DFEEST),

other State Government

Federal Government

agencies.

RDA-W

EP to support

the existing the

skilled migration

program, SA W

orks

program and other

population initiatives

in partnership with,

Government, the


and outside the

region.

July 2012

• Share of State’s population.


• Number of visa approvals.

• Number of migrants settled.

• Workforce development initiatives.

141

Goal

Priority



Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes


(KPI)

COMMUNITY

SUSTAINABILITY

Build the capacity of the

region's communities to

ensure open and

diverse culture, strong

civic leadership and a

high quality of life which

is underpinned by a

prosperous growing

economy.

3 2 2

Support and facilitate initiatives that

retain youth in the region.

Promote the region as an attractive

lifestyle location to potential new

residents.


social and community infrastructure.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, local

government, Dept of

Further Education,

Employm

ent, Science


DTED, DFaHCSIA,

DEEWR, other State

Government Federal


RDA-W

EP to facilitate

new and existing

initiatives that build

community capacity in

partnership with,

Government, the


and outside the

region.

July 2012



• Demonstration of leadership provided

by the Association in the community

in building regional capacity.

• Effective working relationships and

collaboration with DTED, the Councils

and Government agencies.

• Provision of regional intelligence to

the Minister’s Representative, the

Australian Government and local

Councils on significant community

economic development issues and

opportunities.

3 4 2 2

Facilitate the opportunity for business

leaders to invest in community

sustainability.

Actively develop our future business

and community regional leaders.

Provide leadership and support

communities and industry during

disaster events and changes in

seasonality.

Support strategic Government

initiatives in communities that

constructively address Indigenous

disadvantage.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, local

government, Dept of

Further Education,

Employm

ent, Science


DTED, DFaHCSIA,

DEEWR, other State

Government Federal


RDA-W

EP to facilitate

new and existing

initiatives that build

community capacity in

partnership with,

Government, the


and outside the

region.

July 2012



• Demonstration of leadership provided

by the Association in the community

in building regional capacity.

• Effective working relationships and

collaboration with DTED, the Councils

and Government agencies.

• Provision of regional intelligence to

the Minister’s Representative, the

Australian Government and local

Councils on significant community

economic development issues and

opportunities.

142

Goal

Priority



Responsibilities

Initiatives that

can be Engaged

timeframes


(KPI)

EMPLOYMENT

Ensure that the region's

people have the

necessary education

and skills to actively

participate in

employm

ent

opportunities that

support growing

businesses and

industries.

2

Support initiatives that maximise

workforce employm

ent outcomes.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, local

government, Dept of

Further Education,

Employm

ent, Science


DTED, DFaHCSIA,

DEEWR, other State

Government Federal


RDA-W

EP to continue

with the facilitation of

the existing skilled

migration program,

SA W

orks in

partnership with,

Government, the


and outside the

region.

July 2012

• Number of jobs (FTE’s) created in


• Number of jobs (FTE’s) retained in


SKILLS

Ensure the supply of a

highly skilled workforce

to m

eet existing and

future needs of the

region's businesses and

industries.

3 3 3 2

Develop and im

plement the South

Australia W

orks in the Regions – Eyre

Employm

ent Skills Form

ation 2010/11

action plan in collaboration with ESFN

partners.

Assist in the identification of workforce

skill and training gaps and im

plement

training programs.

Ensure educational facilities and

choices in the region m

eet the needs

of local industry and the community.

Assist Indigenous people overcome

barriers to education, training and

employm

ent.

RDA- WEP, local

businesses, local

government, Dept of

Further Education,

Employm

ent, Science


DTED, DFaHCSIA,

DEEWR, other State

Government Federal


RDA-W

EP to continue

with the facilitation of

the existing skilled

migration program,

SA W

orks in

partnership with,

Government, the


and outside the

region.

July 2012

• Identification of emerging labour skills

issues.

• Programs developed with

Government, the Commonwealth of

Australia, Councils and industry to

meet workforce demands and to

increase the participation of

apprentices, trainees, Aboriginal

people and others facing barriers to

employm

ent.


143

11. GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC CONTEXT

The RDA has a key role to play in developing a robust and sustainable regional economy. In turn, a

growing economy will drive prosperity thereby improving the quality of life and wellbeing of the

region’s communities.

The strategies and priorities in this plan complement the strategic directions set in other Federal,

State and regional key Strategic Planning documents including:

144

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS

SUPPORTING RP ACTIONS

NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

PRIORITIES, MAY 2009

A national broadband network.

Pursue funding opportunities that will enable the installation of a high

speed, quality broadband network across the region.

Creation of a true national energy market.

Improve the supply and distribution of energy.

Establish the region as a national centre for innovative renewable energy

technologies including; wave, solar and wind energy.

Assist developers to establish strategically located wind farm

s.

Competitive international gateways.

Maximise the use of strategic port facilities to grow the region.

A national freight network.

Proactively improve and im

plement strategic hard infrastructure.

Support the development of strategic regional airports.

Support the upgrade and development of railw

ay infrastructure.

Maximise the standard of road infrastructure to facilitate efficient transport

routes across the region.

Providing essential Indigenous infrastructure.

Support strategic Government initiatives to constructively address

Indigenous disadvantage.

Adaptable and secure water supplies.

Improve the quality and supply of water.

Support the development of strategic water reuse schemes and storm

water catchment initiatives.

145

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS


INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY,

ACTION PLAN 2010-2012

Education and individual capabilities:

•

From school to work

•

Vocational training

•

Tertiary education

•

Adult skills and capabilities.

Assist Indigenous people overcome barriers to education, training and

Employm

ent.

Jobs:

•

Private sector employment and retention.

Support initiatives that maximise workforce employm

ent outcomes.




employm

ent.

Business and Entrepreneurship:

•

Access to capital

•

Business support

•

Private sector engagement and partnerships

•

Procurement

•

Role models and leadership

•

Better inform

ation.

Support indigenous participation in joint venture investment opportunities.

Provide business advice and mentoring support to new and existing


Work with indigenous leaders and communities to identify and develop

opportunities for involvement in the delivery in mining contracts, joint

ventures and the establishment of other mining related businesses.

Identify and support commercially viable opportunities for indigenous

investment and participation in the fishing and aquaculture sector.

Assist indigenous organisations and communities to develop farm

ing

property assets into commercially profitable farm

ing enterprises

supporting livestock production and broad acre cropping programs.


investment and participation in the tourism sector.

146

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS


INDIGENOUS ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY,

ACTION PLAN 2010-2012

Strengthening Foundations:

•

Infrastructure and housing

•

Land and property rights

•

Mainstream access

•

Safe and secure communities.

Support indigenous organisations develop and expand the key regional

arts and culture centre businesses.

DEEWR Strategic Plan 2008-2011

A brighter future through education.

Develop and im

plement the South Australia W


Employm

ent Skills Form

ation 2010/11 action plan in collaboration with

ESF network partners.

Ensure that educational facilities and choices in the region meet the

needs of local industry and the community.

Support the expansion and development of key regional research

institutions and universities in the region, including Uni SA W

hyalla.

Encourage business and industry based research, development and


Support new and existing industry with workforce development and

retention initiatives.

A highly skilled, educated and productive community.

A participative and inclusive society.

Develop and im



Employm

ent Skills Form




ent outcomes.


employm

ent.

Support the im

plementation of the regional m


that businesses and industry attract skilled migrants where appropriate.

147

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS


SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S STRATEGIC

PLAN

T1.1 Economic Growth: Increase the value of the Eyre

and W

estern region’s contribution to Gross Regional

Product through to 2014.

Assist regional businesses develop through high standards of

professional development support and advice including business

planning, marketing and financial m

anagement.

Support export awareness initiatives and development programs.

Develop new m

arket opportunities and marketing expertise in export

markets.

Actively support the development of value added seafood products.

Initiate opportunities to value add broad acre grain and livestock product.


arket initiatives in intrastate and interstate

markets.

Support sustainable and viable on agribusiness opportunities.

Position W

hyalla as the M

ining S

ervices and E

ducation H

ub of South

Australia.

Encourage the growth of the construction industry.

Facilitate investment and growth in the retail and services sector.

148

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS



PLAN

T1.21 Strategic infrastructure: match the national

average in term

s of investment in key economic and

social infrastructure.






ay infrastructure.

Assist the establishment of strategically located seafood unloading

facilities.


routes across the region.

T1.11 Unemploym

ent: Maintain the unemploym

ent rate

below the South Australian average until 2014.

T1.26 Aboriginal unemploym

ent: Reduce the gap

between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal unemploym

ent

rates in the Eyre and W

estern.


ent outcomes.




Employm

ent.

Support indigenous participation in joint venture investment opportunities.

Provide business advice and mentoring support to new and existing


Work with indigenous leaders and communities to identify and develop

business opportunities for involvement in the delivery in mining contracts,

joint ventures and the establishment of other mining related businesses.

149

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS



PLAN


investment and participation in the fishing and aquaculture sector.

Assist indigenous organisations and communities to develop farm

ing

property assets into commercially profitable farm

ing enterprises

supporting livestock production and broad acre cropping programs.


investment and participation in the tourism sector.

T1.15 Tourism Industry: Increase domestic visitor

expenditure through to 2014.

Develop and implement the Eyre Peninsula and Whyalla Tourism


Improve visitor access to the region to encourage tourism growth.

Support the creation of new and refreshed tourism

developments.

Provision of better tourism

interpretive and signage infrastructure.

T1.18 Minerals production: Increase value of minerals

production through to 2014.

T1.19 Minerals processing: Increase value of minerals

processing through to 2014.

Develop a strategic regional mining and infrastructure plan identifying the

infrastructure and investment needs for the region.

Support the establishment of strategic infrastructure to enhance mining


Establish strategically located competitive grain and minerals bulk


T3.9 Sustainable water supply: The Eyre and W

estern

region’s water resources are managed within

sustainable limits by 2018.

Improve the quality and supply of water to the region.



150

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS



PLAN

T3.12 Renewable energy: support the development of

renewable energy so that it comprises 20% of the

state's electricity production and consumption by 2014.




s.

T4.8 Broadband Usage- Increase broadband usage in

the Eyre and W

estern region.


speed, quality broadband network.

Encourage further investment by Government and telecommunications

providers into the development of a more cost effective, efficient and

expanded network.

T4.9 Public expenditure: by 2010, public expenditure on

research and development, as a proportion of GSP, to

match or exceed average investm

ent compared to

other Australian states.

T4.10 Australian Government resources: secure

Australian government research and development

resources to 10% above South Australia's per capita

share by 2010 and increase this share to 25% by 2014,

for both public and private spheres.

T4.11 Business expenditure: increase business

expenditure on research and development to 1.5% of

GSP in 2010 and increase to 1.9% by 2014.



hyalla

campus as a regional sustainability centre.


commercial initiatives.

T5.9 Regional population levels: Maintain the Eyre and

Western region’s proportional share of South Australia’s

population.

Support the im






151

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS



PLAN

Support and facilitate initiatives that retain youth in the region.

Promote the region as an attractive lifestyle location to potential new

residents.

T6.19 Non-school qualifications: Increase the

proportion of the labour force in the Eyre and W

estern

region with non-school qualifications.

T6.21 VET participation: Increase VET participation

rates in the Eyre and W

estern region.

Develop and im



Employm

ent Skills Form



Assist in the identification of workforce skill and training gaps and

implement training programs.

Ensure educational facilities and choices in the region meet the needs of

local industry and the community.

PLANNING STRATEGY EYRE

WESTERN REGION (DRAFT) 2009

Principle 4: Create the conditions for the Eyre and

Western region to adapt and become resilient to the

impacts of clim

ate change.




s.

Work with developers to establish a strategic coastal property

development and tourism

precincts.

Principle 5: Protect and build on the region’s strategic

infrastructure.


plement strategic and hard infrastructure.




ay infrastructure.


facilities.

152

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS





routes.





Support business and industry with key strategic waste management

solutions.





expanded network.

Develop a strategic regional mining infrastructure plan identifying

infrastructure and investment needs.





153

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS




Principle 6: Protect and strengthen the economic

potential of primary production land.

Initiate opportunities to value add broad acre grain and livestock product.



markets.

Assist with the development of agriculture sector adaptation and

management skills, including risk management.

Support sustainable and viable agribusiness opportunities.

Provide strategic advice to the EP Drought Taskforce.

Identify future locations and planning zones for grain and m

inerals bulk




hyalla




Principle 7: Strengthen local commercial fishing and

aquaculture industries.


facilities.


Develop a distinctive regional food brand.

Actively represent Industries and Communities in the development of

Government Marine Policy and Planning.

Encourage and support strategic coastal development initiatives.

154

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS




Principle 8: Reinforce the Eyre and W

estern region as

a unique and diverse tourism

destination.



Improve visitor access to the region to encourage tourism growth.


developments.



Encourage and support strategic coastal development initiatives.

Objective 9: Provide and protect serviced and well-sited

industrial land to meet projected demand.

Principle 10: Ensure commercial development is well-

sited and designed to support town function.


routes.

Support the establishment of strategically located industrial estates.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TOURISM

PLAN 2009-2014

COMMUNICATE

Better communicate the best of what the target

audience wants to buy.

Leverage partnerships that help us to reach the

target audience with the most compelling m

essage

and offer possible.

DEVELOP

Create new and refreshed tourism developments in

South Australia.

Ensure external planning and policy impediments

to sustainable tourism development are removed

and that strategic investments are case managed

through the development process.



Assist Councils and developers to secure approvals and funding to

establish/upgrade high priority tourism signature projects.


developments.



Develop the region as a culinary tourism

destination.


Work with developers to establish a strategic coastal

property

development and tourism

precincts.

155

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS


SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TOURISM

PLAN 2009-2014

LEVERAGE

Grow new and existing festivals and events to act

as a hook to visit South Australia and grow its

image.

Encourage further investment in South Australia’s

tourism assets and experiences (e.g. food and

wine, nature).

Make capturing the hearts and m

inds of visitors via

authentic and powerful storytelling a significant

point of difference in building South Australia’s

visitor experiences.

ACTIVATE

Ensure consumer demand finds the points of sale

that are best able to convert that demand into a

holiday booking.

Build a single, strong body that takes responsibility

for industry development, leading operators to a

sustainable tourism

future.

Work w

ith the D

C Lower Eyre P

eninsula to secure funding for the re-

development and upgrade of the Pt Lincoln Airport.

Work with the C

ity of Whyalla to secure funding for the re-development

and upgrade of the city's airport facility.

Assist the DC Ceduna secure funding for the re-development and

upgrade of the Ceduna Airport.

Assist the developers to gain approval for the establishment of a new

ferry term

inal building and gateway infrastructure at Lucky Bay.

Continue to implement the key priorities identified in the G

awler Ranges

Tourism and Recreation Plan.

Support the development and upgrade of recreational

boat ramps and harbor facilities.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FOOD

STRATEGY 2010-2015

Developing consumer insight and markets.



Markets.

Develop new m

arket opportunities and marketing expertise in export

markets.

Support export awareness initiatives and development programs.

Actively represent Industries and Communities in the development of

Government Marine Policy and Planning.

156

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS



STRATEGY 2010-2015

Enhancing knowledge, collaboration and leadership.





anagement.


developments.

Assist

key

tourism

businesses develop convention facilities and

packages.

Develop the region as a culinary tourism

destination.

Enhancing capacity, productivity and efficiency.



hyalla







ay infrastructure.


facilities.


Routes.


157

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS



STRATEGY 2010-2015





Assist venture capital opportunities to businesses and industry.

Actively promote the region as a preferred location for business and

industry investment.

Optimising environmental sustainability.




anagement.

Support sustainable and viable agribusiness opportunities.

Assist with the development of agriculture sector adaptation and


Fostering regional and community development.


Initiate opportunities to value add broad acre grain and livestock

products.

STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE

PLAN FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

REGIONAL OVERVIEW 2005/6-

2014/15

Energy:

•

Electricity supply capacity

•

Electricity transmission network capacity.


Water:

•

Management of water supply to ensure long-term

availability.




158

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS





2014/15

Transport:

•

Working vessel w

harf space.


facilities.

•

Export grain logistics.


plement strategic and hard infrastructure.


Routes.


ay infrastructure.

•

Capacity of Pt Lincoln airport facilities.


•

Transport requirements for mining developments in

the Gawler Craton.


Develop a strategic regional mining infrastructure plan identifying

infrastructure and investment needs.





Land:

•

Wharf facilities at Pt Lincoln.


facilities.

•

Tourism accommodation at Pt Lincoln.

Assist Councils and developers to secure approvals and funding to

establish and upgrade high priority tourism

signature projects.


developments.

159

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS





2014/15

Inform

ation and Communication Technology:

•

Access to broadband.



•

Mobile phone coverage.



expanded network.

Health:

•

Hospital facilities in the Ceduna area

•

Primary health care centres.



Support the development of strategic social and community infrastructure.

Education and Training:

•

Utilisation of school assets

•

Vocational education and training.



Support the development of strategic social and community infrastructure.

Science, technology Innovation:

•

Marine research facilities.



hyalla




BETTER SKILLS. BETTER WORK.

BETTER STATE

The creation of a high skill economy.

Develop and implement the South Australia W


Employm

ent Skills Form



Ensure educational facilities and choices in the region meet the needs of

local industry and the community.



hyalla


160

RELEVANT STRATEGIC

DOCUMENTS

KEY GOALS/TARGETS


BETTER SKILLS. BETTER WORK.

BETTER STATE



Assist in the development of agriculture sector adaptation and




Access to quality employm

ent.

Support initiatives that maximise employm

ent outcomes in the region's

Workforce


employm

ent.

Support the im




Shaping our future through better workforce planning.

Develop and im



Employm

ent Skills Form



Assist in the identification of workforce skill and training gaps and

implement training programs.




161

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Relevant Strategic Document

Key Goals/ Objectives

Supporting Regional Profile (RDA) Actions

CITY OF WHYALLA

Infrastructure is developed

and maintained to provide

living and enterprise

spaces in a sustainable

manner to meet our needs

and position our city to play

a key part in the region’s

economic growth.

Develop a strategic regional mining infrastructure plan

identifying infrastructure and investment needs.

Maximise the standard of road infrastructure to facilitate

efficient transport routes.

Work with the City of Whyalla to secure funding for the

re-development and upgrade of the city's airport facility.

Work with the City of Whyalla to identify and develop

opportunities for the utilisation of the airport as a

strategic base for defence operations.

Work with the project proponents, the City of Whyalla,

mining interests and the State Government to develop a

plan for an appropriate port facility near Whyalla.

Support the establishment of a new, strategically located

rail haulage route that provides a key link from northern

mining operations to the Pt Bonython export port facility.

Support the development and implementation of a fully

serviced environmentally sustainable industrial estate at

Whyalla.

Support the strategic development of industrial and

commercial land adjacent to Port Bonython.

Facilitate development opportunities for the Cultana

Industrial Estate and Stage 2 of Whyalla Industrial

Estate.

Encourage the City of Whyalla and Planning SA to

review the Council's Development Plan to ensure the

appropriate land zoning for industrial, commercial and

residential development.

Assist the City of Whyalla with the planning and

feasibility of a Cuttlefish Interpretive Centre.

Develop and implement the Eyre Peninsula and Whyalla

Tourism Infrastructure Plans.

Assist Councils and developers to secure approvals and

funding to establish and upgrade high priority tourism

signature projects.


developments.


162




CITY OF WHYALLA

Pursue funding opportunities that will enable the

installation of a high speed, quality broadband network.

Encourage further investment by Government and

telecommunications providers into the development of a

more cost effective, efficient and expanded network.



Support business improvement initiatives that build the

capability of local businesses to meet the growing

demand for supplies and services to the mining sector.

Position Whyalla as the Mining Services and Education

Hub of South Australia.

Actively encourage mining companies and related

contractors to use local businesses/suppliers.

Enhanced local

employment and skills

bank positioning Whyalla

as a launch pad for future

industry and jobs growth in

the region.

Position Whyalla as the vocational training and tertiary

education hub for the mining and processing sector in

regional SA.

Encourage the growth of the construction industry in the

region.

Actively promote the region as a preferred location for

business and industry investment.

Facilitate Whyalla Regional Workforce Development

Network activities and initiatives in accordance with

DFEEST funding requirements.

Provide assistance and advice as required to new and

existing businesses on matters relating to business

planning and growth.

Support indigenous participation in joint venture

investment opportunities.

Provide business advice and mentoring support to new

and existing indigenous enterprises.

Actively promote and implement a business mentorship

program in Whyalla that is directly targeted at younger

business people.


163




CITY OF WHYALLA

Encourage business and industry based research,

development and commercial initiatives.

Support new and existing industry with workforce

development and retention initiatives.

Support the implementation of the regional migration

program to ensure that businesses and industry attract

skilled migrants where appropriate.

Our people have access to

a range of state of the art

educational and training

facilities so that an

increasingly competent and

knowledge rich workforce

is an economic advantage

for Whyalla.

Ensure educational facilities and choices in the region

meet the needs of local industry and the community.

Assist Indigenous people overcome barriers to

education, training and employment.

Support the expansion and development of key regional

research institutions and universities in the region,

including Uni SA Whyalla campus as a regional

sustainability centre.

Sustainable use of water,

energy and natural

resources and minimisation

of waste and greenhouse

gas emissions

Establish the region as a national centre for innovative

renewable energy technologies including; wave, solar

and wind energy.

Develop and promote the UniSA Whyalla Campus,

Regional Sustainability Centre as a key demonstration

site for pilot renewable energy technology projects.

Support the commercial development of the Wizard

Power solar power project.

Encourage and assist Councils with the development of

water re-use initiatives in communities.

Support the development of strategic water reuse

schemes and storm water catchment initiatives.

Whyalla is recognised as

an attractive regional city

that preserves its heritage

aspects and provides a

range of attractive housing

that meets the diverse

needs of its community,

reflecting neighbourhood

character in an

environmentally

sustainable way.

Promote the region as an attractive lifestyle location to

potential new residents.


164




CITY OF PT LINCOLN Develop collaborative

partnerships to facilitate

economic development

initiatives.

Work with the City of Pt Lincoln to facilitate key

infrastructure, investment and community facility priority

projects.

Facilitate the establishment and expansion of key

research and higher education facilities in the city.

Facilitate and encourage

sustainable business

investment and growth in

the City.

Work with the fishing and aquaculture industry in Pt

Lincoln to develop a commercial fishing facility.



Identify future locations and planning zones for grain

and minerals bulk handling and storage facilities.

Develop Port Lincoln and the Lower Eyre Peninsula as a

key regional conference destination.


funding to establish/upgrade high priority tourism

signature projects.


developments.

Provision of better tourism interpretive and signage

infrastructure.

Develop the region as a culinary tourism destination.


Initiatives Status %


property development and tourism precincts.







and existing indigenous enterprises.

Sustainable management

of water resources


schemes and storm water catchment initiatives in Pt

Lincoln.


165




DC CEDUNA Physical infrastructure and

heritage sites maintained,

upgraded and developed.

Provide strategic support for the establishment of a

desalination plant to support mining and community

needs.



Actively support Iluka Resources with the establishment/

upgrade of key supply chain infrastructure between the

Jacinth/ Ambrosia Mine site; to the Port of Thevenard.

Work with Port of Thevenard infrastructure owners and

port stakeholders to finalise an investment framework to

enable the deepening of Yalata channel and upgrade of

the key infrastructure.

Work with the infrastructure owners and users of the

Kevin rail line to secure funding for the upgrade of the

rail system into Thevenard.

Assist the DC Ceduna secure funding for the re-

development and upgrade of the Ceduna Airport.

Work with the District Council of Ceduna and the fishing

industry to develop a commercial fishing industry

unloading facility safe harbour.



Provide strategic support to the District Council of

Ceduna to develop purpose built industrial estates.





signature projects.


infrastructure.

Support sustainable and viable on agribusiness

opportunities.

Lobby for the development of strategic social

infrastructure i.e. schools, health services, recreational

facilities as identified in key strategic regional plans.

Support the upgrade and development of strategically

located indigenous social infrastructure projects in

indigenous communities.

Encourage and assist Councils with the development of

water re-use initiatives in communities.


166




DC CEDUNA Sustainable economic

development opportunities

identified, aggressively

pursued and promoted.







Actively encourage mining companies and related contractors to utilise existing local businesses/suppliers within the region.




existing indigenous enterprises.

Actively promote export programs to businesses


Initiate opportunities to value add broad acre grain and

livestock product.


Provide targeted training programs that are aligned with

the requirements of Eyre Peninsula's industry sectors.

DC CLEVE Facilitate employment,

economic prosperity and

sustainable growth of our

district.

Work with the DC Cleve to facilitate key infrastructure,

investment and community facility priority projects.

Support and retain youth in the region.

Encourage future planning for major sporting and

recreation facilities particularly the establishment of a

multi- purpose community sporting facility.



signature projects.


infrastructure.



Maximise and upgrade rail network within the region to

support grain and mining.

Initiatives Status




167




DC CLEVE



Assist developers to establish strategically located wind

farms in the region.



Support the establishment of strategic infrastructure,

including housing to enhance mining development and

operations.

Encourage and support other wild catch and aquaculture

producers on the Eyre Peninsula develop innovative,

new value added seafood products.




Implement business assistance and development

programs operated by State and Federal Governments.

Support sustainable and viable on agribusiness

opportunities.


livestock product.



Promote the Eyre Peninsula region as an attractive

retiree location.








168




DC ELLISTON To actively promote

opportunities to increase

the prosperity and

sustainable growth of the

community.

Work with the DC Elliston to facilitate key infrastructure,




signature projects.


developments.


infrastructure.



Facilitate improvement in high voltage transmission

infrastructure.


farms.

Support the development and commercialisation of wave

power technology.

Support and facilitate initiatives that retain youth within

the region.




Implement business assistance / development programs

operated by State and Federal Governments.

DC FRANKLIN

HARBOUR

Maximise the benefit to the

community from improved

community services.


the region.

To foster a diverse and

growing economic base

that results in an increase

in employment and

population.

Work with the DC Franklin Harbour to facilitate key


projects.



signature projects.


developments.

Initiatives Status % Complete


infrastructure.




169




DC FRANKLIN

HARBOUR

Support the establishment of strategic infrastructure to

enhance mining development and operations.

Support sustainable and viable agribusiness

opportunities.


livestock product.


Establish strategically located competitive grain and

minerals bulk handling and storage facilities.



Initiatives Status % Complete Progress Comments







retiree location.








Encourage and support wild catch and aquaculture

producers develop innovative, new value added seafood

products.


infrastructure.


farms.


Assist the developers to gain approval for the

establishment of a new ferry terminal building and

gateway infrastructure at Lucky Bay.


170




DC FRANKLIN

HARBOUR

Support the development of strategic social and

community infrastructure.



Status

DC KIMBA Valued community culture,

lifestyle and well-being.








Support strategic initiatives that develop and encourage

regional and community based leadership.


Build our community by

fostering creativity,

employment, economic

development and tourism.

Support the establishment of strategic infrastructure to

enhance mining development and operations in the

region.

Liaise with Iron Clad to identify iron ore supply chain

infrastructure and handling systems requirements for the

establishment of the Wilcherry Hill project.





Continue to implement the key priorities identified in the

Gawler Ranges Tourism and Recreation Plan.


livestock product.


developments.


infrastructure.



demand for supplies and services to the mining sector. Actively encourage mining companies and related contractors to utilise existing local businesses/suppliers within the region.


171




DC KIMBA Astute management and

improvement of physical

infrastructure.

Work with the DC Kimba to facilitate key infrastructure,




facilities as identified in key strategic regional plans



DC LOWER EYRE

PENINSULA

Provide and maintain

appropriate infrastructure

and services.



Work with the DC Lower Eyre Peninsula to secure

funding for the re-development and upgrade of the Pt

Lincoln Airport.



Facilitate and support innovative waste management

solutions for industries.

Be responsible in the use

and sustainable

management of our

heritage, natural resources

and environment.



Improve the quality of life

for residents.









the region.


retiree location.

Assist the community to be

vibrant, prosperous and

sustainable.



Assist Councils developers to secure approvals and


signature projects.


infrastructure.


172




DC LOWER EYRE

PENINSULA


developments.

Assist key tourism businesses develop convention

facilities and packages.

Develop the region as a culinary tourism destination.



Work with the DC Lower Eyre Peninsula to facilitate key


projects.


Initiatives Status %






DC STREAKY BAY Well managed, appropriate

stock of assets that meets

the community’s affordable

service needs and

preferences.




infrastructure.

Sustainability of the natural

environment and a built

environment that meets the

community’s housing and

lifestyle needs.





A caring community that

enjoys a high quality of life.


the region.






Work with the DC Streaky Bay to facilitate key


projects.


173




DC STREAKY BAY Ongoing growth in income

levels and employment

opportunities for residents

that helps drive population

growth and provision of

additional and upgraded

facilities and services.





signature projects.


developments.











Assist Minotaur Exploration to identify its supply chain

and water infrastructure requirements for the

establishment of the Carey's Well Kaolin mining project.






opportunities.


livestock product.



retiree location.

DC TUMBY BAY A coordinated and quality

standard of community

service provision.


the region.







174




DC TUMBY BAY



Provide support for the

growth of our local

economy utilising a

collaborative approach.


retiree location.





signature projects.


developments.


infrastructure.


infrastructure.

Improve the quality and supply of water to the region.






Assist developers with the establishment of marina

facilities.

Provide strategic advice and support to Centrex metals

for the establishment of a new minerals port export

facility at Sheep Hill, Eastern Eyre Peninsula.

Support the establishment of a new, strategically located

rail haulage route that provides a key link from central

Eyre Peninsula mining operations to the Eastern Eyre

Peninsula Sheep Hill export port facility.








175




DC TUMBY BAY Provide assistance and advice as required to new and







Facilitate the establishment of community banking

facilities.


opportunities.


livestock product.

Initiatives Status


Work with the DC Tumby Bay to facilitate key


projects.

Maintain, develop and

improve Council’s

infrastructure to meet the

current and future needs of

our community.





DC WUDINNA To ensure a built

environment that provides

for the diverse needs of the

wider community.



infrastructure.



infrastructure.






solutions for specific industries in the region.




176




DC WUDINNA To provide appropriate

services and facilities to

sustain the health, safety

and well being of the

community.






Prepare marketing material that is targeted at attracting

new residents.

Actively promote an

environment that fosters

and supports business and

commercial opportunities

and activities in the area.

Continue to implement the key priorities identified in the

Gawler Ranges Tourism and Recreation Plan.





signature projects.


developments.








Facilitate the establishment of community banking

facilities.


opportunities.


livestock product.



retiree location.




Assist businesses to secure funding to develop and

commercialise innovative technologies, systems,

processes and products that will encourage growth and

improve sustainability.


177




DC WUDINNA Support the development of the Minnipa Research

Centre as the key centre for agricultural research and

extension initiatives on the Eyre Peninsula.

Support initiatives that maximise employment outcomes

in the region's workforce.

Support new and existing industry with workforce

development and retention initiatives.



Provide training opportunities that enhance the

performance of tourism businesses and the quality of

product and services on offer in the region.

Establish the region as a national centre for innovative

renewable energy technologies including; wave, solar

and wind energy.






To foster and support a

range of activities and

facilities to enhance the

recreational and cultural

pursuits of the community.

Work with the DC Wudinna to facilitate key


projects.


the region.




178

12. DELIVERY STRATEGY

Regional Development Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Inc is part of a national network of 55

regional development agencies which have been established as part of a national initiative in 2009.

The main benefit of the new regional framework is that it strengthens the partnership between the

three levels of government - local, state and federal.

Regional Development Australia- Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula has the benefit of being established

through the amalgamation of the Eyre Regional Development Board and the Whyalla Economic

Development Board. Both boards have a proven track record and strong reputation in supporting and

driving regional development for their communities over the past two decades.

This experience and local intelligence will underpin the establishment of Regional Development

Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula. It will also be an invaluable resource in the successful

delivery of outcomes that benefit both industry and the community.

Regional Development Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula is an incorporated association

operating as an independent, autonomous body. The Board is uniquely placed to facilitate strategic

economic and regional development initiatives across the entire region of the Eyre Peninsula.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND GOVERNANCE

BOARD MEMBERSHIP

The Board is comprised of high profile local people representing business, industry, education, local

government, finance, natural resources and the community, with members selected for their

experience and relevant skills.

OPERATIONAL STAFF

The board has the benefit of bringing together a team that has extensive experience and history of

involvement in a wide variety of economic and regional development activities.

FINANCING

Regional Development Australia- Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula is supported through a cooperative

arrangement by the State Government and 11 local member councils, by way of a four year Resource

Agreement and a contract with the Federal Government for the period ending June 2012. This

partnership is a key strength that provides a direct link to key agencies across all levels of

government.

Whilst governments provide the core funding for the Board operations the organisation will attract

additional funding for the delivery of high priority projects to provide long term benefits to the region.


179

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

Regional Development Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula is a new organisation, which will

represent the entire region of Whyalla and the Eyre Peninsula.

The challenge for the new Board is to establish a reputation as the region’s key economic and

regional development agency.

The Board needs to ensure that industries, businesses and the community understand the role of the

new organisation which includes economic initiatives, regional and community development, business

advisory services, investment attraction, industry development, infrastructure development, export

advice, skills and workforce development, migration and social inclusion.

Objectives:

• Increase awareness of Regional Development Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula

services and role,

• Increase the awareness of Board members,

• Market the individual staff role and location,

• Promote the support services of the organisation,

• Promote the services and programs that the board provides, and

• Ensure that the Board is linked to key stakeholders and agencies.

MARKETING STRATEGY

• Raise awareness of the Board’s activities and its role in regional development on Eyre

Peninsula,

• Raise the profile of the Regional Development Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Inc

with industry, government and the wider community in the region,

• Communicate with the Board’s funding partners and key stakeholders in a coordinated and

consistent manner,

• Provide information on the Board’s projects,

• Improve the quality and format of information being communicated to the Board’s

stakeholders and the community,

• Provide a mechanism for information transfer and dialogue with stakeholders, and

• Develop positive relationships with stakeholders including the media.


180

MARKETING MECHANISMS

The Board will provide its stakeholders with consistent, quality information on a regular basis.

This plan provides a framework for communication initiatives, actions and timelines. It should also be

noted that many of the initiatives are already in place.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

• Newsletters- business/industry focused stakeholder community information,

• Annual Report - Initiatives and Achievements,

• Written Reports,

• Board meeting minutes,

• Media Releases,

• Project fact sheets,

• Regional promotional information, and

• Stakeholder consultation.

VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Staff Presentations to:

• Board Members,

• Other staff,

• Member Councils,

• Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association,

• Peak business/ industry organisations,

• State and Federal politicians,

• State and Federal Government agencies,

• Media interviews,

• Industry/ business related seminars/ workshops,

• Stakeholder consultation, and

• Strategic Plan – Community Consultation.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

• Website, and

• Emails.

DISPLAYS AND PROMOTIONS

• Cleve Field Days display,

• Hosting formal delegations/ deputations,

• Displays at industry related trade shows- domestic International,

• Launches, and

• Business/industry networking events.


181

NOTES

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