Category Archives: COOBER PEDY News & Events

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

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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

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$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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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$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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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NORTHERN REGION RALLIES TO FIGHT POWER COST INCREASES

A group of angry Outback SA business people have launched a hard-hitting campaign against the Rann government’s decision to increase electricity prices in their region by as much as 125%. The campaign which includes a series of press ads in … Continue reading

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“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

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‘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

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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

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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

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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‟.

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“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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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IMX: CAIRN HILL SALES CONTRACT NOVATED TO SICHUAN TAIFENG

Iron ore producer, IMX Resources Limited (ASX:IXR) is pleased to announce that the Cairn Hill Phase 1 life of mine sales contract has been novated to the Sichuan Taifeng Group on the same terms and conditions as the original sales … Continue reading

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MAN MISSING NEAR GLENDAMBO – POLICE SEEK ASSISTANCE

Update: Police have since released that the missing man has returned to Glendambo safely, although suffering from dehydration after 7 hours in the scrub with temperatures in the high 30s. Previously: Roxby Downs Police are seeking the assistance of the public to … Continue reading

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AUSTRALIA’S MEDIA CONSIDER SA’s RESOURCE POTENTIAL

South Australian Government communications organisation Advantage SA this week hosted interstate and local media groups on a tour aimed at encouraging positive publicity for the SA mining sector. Advantage SA CEO Nikki Seymour-Smith said, “Advantage SA’s Interstate Media Program seeks … Continue reading

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DRUG STASH ($150K) FOUND IN ADELAIDE – ALICE SPRINGS BUS LUGGAGE

Police sniffer dogs have found a commercial quantity of drugs stashed in luggage on a northbound bus in Alice Springs overnight. Police were checking the Stuart Highway bus from Adelaide when sniffer dogs found an estimated $150,000 worth of drugs … Continue reading

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LGA COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS 2010- COOBER PEDY

FINAL results for the 2010 Local Government elections at Coober Pedy. The following  election results are published by the Local Government Association. Results are only final where candidates are marked “elected”. 

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CAIRN HILL PROJECT NEAR COOBER PEDY HITS ANOTHER MILESTONE

IMX Resources Limited is pleased to announce that the first train load of Cairn Hill Magnetite – Copper – Gold ore left the Rankin Dam rail facility bound for Port Adelaide on Sunday 17th October. IMX Resources Managing Director Duncan … Continue reading

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COOBER PEDY OPEN AIR CINEMA WINS ADVANTAGE SA AWARD

On Friday 22nd October, Steve Staines, Chairperson of the Outback Open Air Cinema travelled to Roxby Downs for the Advantage SA Regional Awards. The Outback Open Air Cinema won the Community Group category sponsored by Elders. “It was a great … Continue reading

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COOBER PEDY AREA SCHOOL AIRS IT’S LINEN IN PUBLIC OVER PRINCIPAL

Claims that the Coober Pedy Area School is in a state of caos following the departure of Principal Sue Lewis were addressed by Education Minister Jay Weatherill today who said, “We now have a principal appointed for the rest of … Continue reading

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FAR NORTH POLICE WILL ENFORCE LAWS RE: BREACHES TO LEGISLATION RELATING TO “ROAD CLOSED”

Senior Sergeant Greg Burns, officer in charge of the Coober Pedy Police Station in  South Australia’s Far North is concerned that motorists continue to drive on dirt roads despite they display ROAD CLOSED signs due to rain.   “Police are … Continue reading

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NEW NATIONAL CREDIT LAWS: SOME BOOK UP PROVIDERS MUST BE LICENSED

‘Book up’ is a common practice in many remote and regional communities of Australia, particularly many Indigenous communities. From 1 July 2010, consumer credit will be regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) under the National Consumer Credit … Continue reading

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OUTBACK ROADS TEMPORARY CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS & WARNING REPORTS

Due to heavy rain in some areas of the outback, Transport SA has issued road condition reports for the mid – far north of the state.  Travellers are advised to seek up to date information before venturing on to secondary … Continue reading

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DECS TO APPOINT NEW PRINCIPAL TO COOBER PEDY AREA SCHOOL

Chris Robinson, Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Children’s Service has issued the following advice for the Coober Pedy community including parents and caregivers regarding resolutions relating to issues at the Coober Pedy Area School. “The investigation into issues … Continue reading

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TO THE CATHOLIC PEOPLE OF COOBER PEDY & THE OUTBACK

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Fr Christopher O’Neil has been your priest since January 2003 and there are needs in the diocese which make it necessary for me to transfer him to the parish of Quorn. I thank you for the … Continue reading

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JAY WEATHERILL TO RESOLVE COOBER PEDY SCHOOL ISSUES SOON

On Thursday 1 July 2010, Education Minister Jay Weatherill met in Adelaide with local MP Lyn Breuer, Mayor Steve Baines and Coober Pedy Area School Governing Council chair Alex Lalic.   The meeting was to discuss progress on a resolution … Continue reading

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