Author Archives: Coober Pedy Regional Times
COOBER PEDY ABORIGINAL ELDERS LOBBY TO RETAIN TIP
The Editor Coober Pedy Regional Times Coober Pedy SA 5723 Dear Sir/Madam, While reading the Coober Pedy Times Issue Thursday 11th October in the letters to the editor section, I read with some concern the confusion over the current Rubbish … Continue reading
100 PEOPLE WALK 325-KM FOR FUTURE OF PORT AUGUSTA
Tomorrow, 100 people will set off on a 14-day, 325km walk from Port Augusta to Adelaide’s Parliament House — calling on the Government to build Australia’s first solar thermal plant.
CHEMICAL LEAK CLOSES STUART HIGHWAY
South Australian Police have advised that the Stuart Highway, approximately 5kms north of Pimba is closed to traffic due to a chemical incident. Chemicals on board a truck are leaking with one believed to be hydrochloric acid. The road is … Continue reading
Posted in COOBER PEDY News & Events
Tagged Chemical leak, coober pedy regional times, Pimba, sapol, stuart highway
TRAGIC DEATH OF OODNADATTA ROADHOUSE OWNER NUMBS OUTBACK COMMUNITIES
This article includes corrections 30/8/2012: The tragic death of Oodnadatta Pink Roadhouse owner Adam Plate at the Targa Adelaide Championship Rally on Friday 24 August has numbed the outback town of Coober Pedy and local pastoral districts. The many pastoral families and … Continue reading
$200,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON KAREN WILLIAMS WHEREABOUTS
Major Crime Detectives have identified a suspect in the 1990 disappearance of Karen Michelle Williams from Coober Pedy The suspect was identified following a review of the historic case. New information was unearthed and as a result the suspect was … Continue reading
Posted in COOBER PEDY News & Events
Tagged coober pedy, coober pedy regional times, Karen Williams, reward, sapol
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REMOTE HOUSING FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS AUSTRALIA
More Indigenous people in remote communities are benefitting from new and refurbished homes completed as part of the $5.5 billion National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing.
FIREARMS (GUN) AMNESTY DECLARED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Registrar of Firearms has declared a firearms (gun) amnesty commencing on 1 August 2012 and finishing at midnight on 31 October 2012. South Australia Police is conducting and managing the amnesty. The aim of the gun amnesty is to … Continue reading
Posted in GENERAL News
Tagged coober pedy regional times, firearms anmesty 2012, Registrar of Firearms, sapol, south australia
“OLYMPIC DAM SECRECY A PUBLIC RISK – NO COORDINATED DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN”
OPEN LETTER TO: Malcolm Hyde, Commissioner of Police- My name is Edward Cranswick (formerly US Geological Survey), now a resident of Adelaide, and I am presently at Olympic Dam/Roxby Downs to investigate the magnitude 4 earthquake that occurred here on … Continue reading
5.4 EARTHQUAKE NEAR MORWELL – YALLOURN OPEN CUT COAL MINE
A 5.4 earthquake recorded by Geoscience Australia, SE of Moe in Victoria’s North on Tuesday night 19 June has already registered over 40 aftershocks up to Wednesday 20th June. The quake located within close proximity to the open cut coal … Continue reading
Posted in GENERAL News
Tagged coober pedy regional times, earthquake, Faultines, Gippsland, Moe, Mowell Coal Mine, Seismic, Yallourn
NEW WATER PERMITS FOR REGIONAL LAND MANAGERS
Land managers proposing to undertake certain activities in the SA Arid Lands region that may impact on a water resource will now need to apply for a new permit introduced by the South Australian Arid Lands (SAAL) Natural Resources Management … Continue reading
MORE CATERPILLAR TRUCKS & EQUIPMENT ARRIVE FOR SA MINING SECTOR
Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Tom Koutsantonis today welcomed the arrival of the second direct shipment of Caterpillar trucks and equipment to supply the expanding mining sector. A month after the inaugural shipment carried from the U.S. to Outer … Continue reading
Posted in GENERAL News
Tagged Caterpillar trucks, Cavpower, coober pedy regional times, olympic dam, Tom Koutsantonis
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2012 FEDERAL VOLUNTEER GRANTS NOW OPEN
Applications for Gillard Government Volunteer Grants for 2012 are now open, with $16 million available to not-for-profit organisations around the country. “The grants range between $1,000 and $5,000 and can be used to buy much-needed equipment or to assist volunteers … Continue reading
SEISMIC SURGE IN FAR NORTH: 3.9 EARTHQUAKE NEAR ROXBY DOWNS
A 3.9 magnitude earthquake has struck near Olympic Dam in South Australia’s Mid – Far North AEST: Monday 26 March 2012 at 07:53:20 in addition to a spate of 4 separate earthquakes in the Far North of the state in the past … Continue reading
SPATE OF EARTHQUAKES HIT SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S FAR NORTH
A spate of earthquakes all within a week of each other have occurred in South Australia’s Far North with three strikes on the APY Lands. A significant 6.1 earthquake struck near Ernabella (Pukatja), Fregon and Indulkana on the APY Lands at 8.25pm South Australian Daylight … Continue reading
COOBER PEDY TO SECURE WATER SUPPLY WITH GRANT
Coober Pedy will have a more secure water supply thanks to a $600,000 State Government grant to upgrade a 26-year-old cement water pipeline which supplies the town. Regional Development Minister Gail Gago said the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund (RDIF) grant … Continue reading
OPAL AND PRECIOUS METAL THEFT – COOBER PEDY
Coober Pedy police are investigating the theft of a significant quantity of opal, and gold and silver ingots from Coober Pedy this week and ask dealers of precious stones and metals to be wary of anyone offering cheap deals. Between … Continue reading
PROPOSED CHANGES TO FEDERAL MINING OHS&W REGULATIONS DEFERRED
Proposed changes to federal mining occupational health safety and welfare (OHS&W) regulations to be implemented on the first of January 2012 have been deferred for twelve months, while lawmakers, Safe Work Australia and Safe Work SA to consider the implications/changes … Continue reading
Posted in COOBER PEDY News & Events
Tagged Andamooka, coober pedy, coober pedy regional times, mintabie, OHS&W regulations, opal mining
$65,000 BACK-PAY FOR COOBER PEDY WORKERS
Eleven workers at Coober Pedy in South Australia have been back-paid a total of $65,900 following intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The workers – who all worked at the same business – were underpaid the minimum hourly rate.
IMX RESOURCES DISPUTE WITH JV PARTNER
On 14 November 2011, IMX Resources Limited called on its joint venture partner, Taifeng Yuanchuang International Development Co., Ltd to pay by 28 November 2011 its 49% share (A$4,121,601) of Cairn Hill expenditure under the Heads of Agreement between IMX … Continue reading
“WOMEN AND EMPLOYED PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO VOLUNTEER” SAY STATISTICS
More than one-third of Australians did voluntary work last year, with more women volunteering than men, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). In 2010, 36% of Australians aged 18 years and over participated in voluntary work – 38% … Continue reading
COOBER PEDY AND DISTRICTS FACING WORST FIRE DANGER SEASON IN SEVERAL DECADES
COOBER PEDY: All available CFS firefighters (6) left Coober Pedy with two fire trucks at 4pm on Tuesday 29 November to fight fires on Bulgunnia Pastoral property and another burning at McDouall Peak Station, 140 – 150km South of Coober Pedy, amidst a total … Continue reading
EARLY START TO FIRE DANGER SEASON FOR PASTORAL DISTRICTS
The Country Fire Service (CFS) has announced an early start to the 2011/12 Fire Danger Season for the North East Pastoral and North West Pastoral Fire Ban Districts. The season which was scheduled to start on November 1 in both … Continue reading
REGIONAL FLY-IN, FLY-OUT INQUIRY LAUNCHED
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia has today launched an inquiry into the experience of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) workers in regional Australia. “The Committee recognises that the use of fly-in/fly-out and drive-in/drive-out workforces … Continue reading
REMOTE ELECTRICITY SUBSIDIES: RAMSEY GETS SUPPORT OF PARLIAMENT
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey says the fact that his private members motion on the Remote Areas Subsidy for electricity has passed the Parliament unopposed, shows even the South Australian Federal Labor Members now stand in condemnation of the … Continue reading
IMX: RESIGNATION OF MANAGING DIRECTOR
Iron ore producer and explorer, IMX Resources Limited wishes to advise that the Managing Director, Mr. Duncan McBain, has tendered his resignation to the Board. Chairman, Mr. Johann Jacobs, said that “it is with regret that we accept Duncan’s resignation. … Continue reading
Posted in GENERAL News
Tagged coober pedy, coober pedy regional times, duncan mcbain, imx resources, Johann Jacobs
ONE SET OF REGULATIONS FOR ALL AUSTRALIAN MINING?
Draft model Codes of Practice open for public comment until 9 SEPT Safe Work Australia in partnership with the Commonwealth and states are recommending alteration of work health and safety laws for all mining across Australia. This involves the opal … Continue reading
DISAPPEARANCE OF JASON RICHARDS DECLARED A MAJOR CRIME
The disappearance and search for missing person Jason Neil Richards has been declared a Major Crime. Police hold grave fears for the safety of Mr Richards who’s family have not heard from him since he sent them a text message … Continue reading
COOBER PEDY AND REMOTE AREAS “ELECTRICITY CRISIS MEETING” TO GO AHEAD
An URGENT PUBLIC MEETING scheduled for 10.30am on Sunday 15 May in Coober Pedy will go ahead despite last minute suggestions that the excessive electricity tariffs imposed on 13 Outback Towns will be “looked at” by the State Government. In … Continue reading
Posted in COOBER PEDY News & Events
Tagged ABC Regional Radio, Annette Marner, District Council of Coober Pedy, Honourable John Darley MLC, Independent Senator for SA, Lyn Breuer MP, mayor steve baines, Minister for Energy Michael O’Brien, Nick Xenophon, Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, URGENT PUBLIC MEETING, Yanni Athanasiadis
MEDIA TAKE THE BAIT ON “MISLEADING” DRUG RAID RELEASE
A marijuana bud and a business shop takings were “seized” in the latest raid at Mintabie on Officer Oil Basin in the Far North of South Australia. On Monday 11 April, 2011 a contingency of eight police personel including a … Continue reading
Posted in MINTABIE/MARLA News
Tagged Adelaide Now, Ahava Resources, apy lands, coober pedy regional times, Far North SA, Lee Craggs, Lindsay Kobelt, Mintabie opal fields, Mintabie Progress Association, Northern Territory, Officer Oil Basin, PEL 138, sapol, south australian government, South Australian Police, Tim Kobelt
LEAKED CABINET DOCUMENT REVEALS SA GOVERNMENT DECEIT
The leaked Sustainable Budget Commission Report or “Razor Gang Report” reveals that the State Government had full knowledge of the impact the reduction in the RAES subsidy would have on the communities and businesses in remote South Australia…and chose to … Continue reading
“GOVERNMENT ADVERTISES OUTBACK HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS THAT TRAVELERS CAN’T AFFORD” SAYS BUSINESS OWNER
Where is the logic? The people involved that we the tax payers employ are obviously out of their minds!!! It is up to us to make ourselves heard and allow the rest of the State and even Australia know what … Continue reading
‘COOBER PEDY BUSINESSES SET UP A FIGHTING FUND’
“It is obvious the government have lost complete control of their budget”. ”Letter to Coober Pedy Businesses Dear All, By now you will be aware that the state government intends to dramatically increase (more than double in most commercial cases), … Continue reading
SATIC: “ALARMING POWER PRICES THREATENS OUTBACK TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY”
Power price increases of up to 120% may force tourism businesses to close in Coober Pedy and other key South Australian outback tourism destinations. South Australian Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive, Ward Tilbrook says he is dismayed at the rise … Continue reading
REMOTE COMMUNITIES BLUDGEONED IN RUTHLESS TAX RAID
In a letter received from Minister O’Brien yesterday regarding the Remote Areas Energy Supplies (RAES), he states the following reasons for implenting a $1.3 million tax on 13 remote communities in the Far North – ”Unfortunately, given the difficult state … Continue reading
URGENT ACTION ON COOBER PEDY POWER
FAMILY FIRST MLC Dennis Hood is circulating a petition and has raised in Parliament concerns regarding massive increases in the electricity tariff for Coober Pedy and 12 other outback towns that are off the grid‟.
CARBON TAX: “FAMILIES, NOT COMPANIES, WILL PAY”
“ORDINARY families will cop the brunt of Labor’s carbon tax hit squarely in their hip-pockets,” Leader of the Nationals Warren Truss told a rally of over 3,000 protesters outside Parliament House in Canberra today “Increased cost pressures faced by companies … Continue reading
“MINING SECTOR A CAUSE FOR CUTTING REMOTE AREAS ELECTRICITY SUBSIDY” SAYS ENERGY MINISTER
Energy Minister Michael O’Brien has stated on ABC radio that “one of the compelling reasons for withdrawing the Remote Areas Electricity Subsidy from 13 remote communities was due to the increased mining activity near Coober Pedy and elsewhere in the state”. … Continue reading
THE TAX THAT FELL OUT OF THE SKY
Dear Editor, Most of us who live in remote South Australia are content when rain falls from the sky, but the latest tax that fell on us is somewhat confusing. Basically most households in Outback South Australia are now obliged … Continue reading
REMOTE ELECTRICITY TALKS MAY HELP RECTIFY “BUNGLED” PRICING STRUCTURE IN OUTBACK
Negotiations are currently underway between the Coober Pedy District Council and the Hon Michael O’Brien MP, the Minister for Energy in South Australia following community outrage over what outback residents and businesses consider to be a bungled attempt at providing … Continue reading
DAN VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: “REMOTE TOWN’S ELECTRICITY TARIFF UNFAIR, UNREALISTIC AND UNACCEPTABLE”
In a speech to the South Australian Parliament on 8 March 2011 Mr Dan Van Holst Pellekaan the Federal Member for Stuart spoke strongly of the effects the unfair and unrealistic electricity tariff would have on outback community’s families and … Continue reading
ENERGY MINISTER’S “OFFENSIVE COMMENTS” SHOCK S.A. REMOTE AREA TRADERS
Adam Plate of Oodnadatta Traders (Pink Roadhouse Oodnadatta), a general outback business employing up to 12 people, this week expressed dismay at the electricity price rises which he said will be “much greater than suggested”. Adam Plate said he heard … Continue reading
OUTBACK ELECTRICITY TARIFFS: “SHORT SIGHTED SA GOVERNMENT SADDLES TOWNS WITH IMPOSSIBLE DEBTS”
Letter to Senator Nick Xenaphon from Yanni Athanasiadis of Umoona Opal Mine and Museum re: the short sighted decision of SA Government and Energy minister to impose $1.3m electricity tariff on Outback towns in SA Dear Nick, Many Regards. … Continue reading
OUTBACK ELECTRICITY TARIFFS: “CONTEMPTUOUS TREATMENT OF OUTBACK SA COMMUNITIES”
Letter to Premier Mike Rann from Yanni Athanasiadis of Umoona Opal Mine & Museum Coober Pedy re: discriminatory $1.3million electricity tax on remote South Australian communities Mr Rann, My name is Yanni Athanasiadis and I have been a resident of Coober Pedy … Continue reading
OUTBACK ELECTRICITY TARIFFS: “WE WILL PURSUE THIS AS FAR AS IT GOES!”
Letter to Ms Lyn Breuer MP from Yanni Athanasiadis Umoona Opal Mine & Museum Coober Pedy re: Discrimination in Electricity Tariffs imposed on Regional South Australians Mrs Breuer, I tried to call your office a few times but with no luck, you … Continue reading
SA GOVT SQUEEZE $1.3M FROM OUTBACK TOWNS IN A CRIPPLING TAX LUNGE
SA govt squeeze outback towns for $1.3m extra taxes but procrastinate over collecting $200m in unpaid fines elsewhere Letter to Editor by: Richard Abbott a licenced land surveyor from Adelaide who visits Coober Pedy regularly. Dear Media Editors, Could you please bring this … Continue reading
MINISTER SNUBS REGIONAL TOURISM OVER POWER INCREASES
South Australian tourism minister John Rau brushed aside the fate of tourism businesses in remote communities when asked in parliament how he expects a small remote tourism business to absorb massive increases in electricity bills. Tourism businesses in remote towns … Continue reading
SA GOVT’S NEW ELECTRICITY TARRIFS = JOB LOSSES FOR COOBER PEDY
The District Council of Coober Pedy and the Coober Pedy Retail Business and Tourism Association are vehemently opposed to the new South Australian Government electricity tarriff increases and are doing everything possible to have the decision to increase tariffs reversed. … Continue reading
Posted in COOBER PEDY News & Events
Tagged Coober Pedy Retail Business and Tourism Association, Department of Transport, District Council of Coober Pedy, DTEI, electricity tarriffs, Energy and Infrastructure, Energy Division, Lyn Breuer MP, mayor steve baines, Minister Jack Snelling, Minister Michael O’Brien, Premier Mike Rann, south australian government
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“TOUR DE YASI” LEAVES FAR NORTH SA COLD AND FLOODED
Temperatures in the Far North communities of SA plummeted from the high 40s down to 17C on Sunday as Ex-Cyclone Yasi circled the top end of the state. Pastoral areas north of Coober Pedy sustained heavy flooding leaving many Stations inaccessible except … Continue reading
CYCLONE YASI: UP TO 8 INCHES FLOODING FOR OUTBACK SA
for THUNDERSTORMS, DAMAGING WIND, FLASH FLOODING and LARGE HAILSTONES A deep tropical low pressure system associated with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Yasi is threatening up to 8 inches of rain for areas just north of Coober Pedy over the weekend. Mine Rescue/SES … Continue reading
