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Transitional Camp

The Aboriginal Housing Authority wants to build a Transitional Camp in Coober Pedy. It says that most Aboriginal visitors from the Lands have problems that access to health and other services would help to solve, yet they rarely tap into the services. They hang around the streets and finish up in trouble. A Transitional Camp would provide accommodation in an environment that would allow easy access to service providers and 'case management' facilities.

In his  September Report, District Council of Coober Pedy Mayor Steve Baines told how he and Trevor McLeod, CEO, visited the recently established Ceduna Transitional Camp.

"The camp itself is quite impressive and after initial problems we were told by different service providers that it is working well and has actually decreased the amount of resources required. It was very apparent though that the key to its success is in the management of the camp, and who AHA has in charge. This was echoed by everyone we spoke to in Ceduna. We were told that this was the problem in the first 3 months of the camp's existence and it was not until the Ceduna Council stepped in and several people were retrenched that the problem was resolved. The Ceduna camp . . .  offers short term accommodation of 3 months to transient people and is not intended to offer longer term accommodation for locals as is the seemingly preferred option of the Coober Pedy service providers.

"The advice of  Ceduna Council was that our Council needed to play an active role in the structure and decision making process of the camp, and needed to be in a position to, and prepared to step in and take control if things did not work out."

Carol Shard from AHA addressed the council on the concept of a Transitional Camp, showing pictures of the Ceduna model.

Local apprehension is that if the camp is built in the town area and it fails like other attempts have, the trashing of the camp will once again have a devaluing effect on surrounding housing.

Mayor Baines said he is determined to negotiate a strong position of influence for the Council, on behalf of ratepayers, notwithstanding AHA determination to be the hirer and firer of Camp staff.

35th Annual Coober Pedy Race Meeting - October 2 and 3

Two new major trophy donors: left, the StateWest Power Plate; right, the Ulysses Cup

Council denies $12,500 StateWest Power request

StateWest Power General Manager Stephen Price made a written request for the DC of Coober Pedy to contribute 50% of the cost of decontamination of diesel tanks taken over from the Council by StateWest.

"Since the start up of the new power station we have experienced problems associated with an oily residue in the fuel. On investigation we have found that the contamination is caused by an oil tar that is bonded to the inside surface of the bottom of some of the diesel tanks. We believe the oil tar pre-existed our involvement at the power station.

"In our tender we offered to relocate, bund and use the existing diesel tanks. In the process of relocating them, we did empty and flush the tanks out. However, because it is bonded to the inside surface, the contamination was not removed. To remove the contamination will require specialist de-gassing and hydro-jet equipment and expertise. 

"The exact amount " (of the cost of decontamination) "will not be known until the amount and classification of waste is known.

" ... we would be happy to give some certainty to the council's exposure to this issue by fixing the council's contribution at $12,500."

Cr Blobel moved and Cr Athanasiadis seconded that the council is not prepared to contribute toward the cost of the removal of the tar oil substance in the diesel tanks. The motion was carried.

Hot on the trail of Water Thieves.

Water Supply Manager Les 'Leaky' Hoad has been given authority to further investigate the use of, and to purchase, up to five electronic water meters at a cost of around $4,000 each. The meters are very versatile as they do not have to be inserted in the line,  can measure water flowing in either direction, and can be moved around and used again in another location.

Council fully supports efforts to find suspected water thieves and estimates that they steal much more in water value than the cost of the purchase and installation of the meters.

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Approval, subject to requirements, has been given for the construction of four single storey detached dwellings in Elleway Drive.

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Councillor Rose Temple did not attend the September Council Meeting. No apology was tendered.

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A working party is to be formed at the next council meeting to investigate the future needs of Coober Pedy in regard to wastewater disposal.

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Council has approved a Community Donation for the Coober Pedy Amateur Racing Club Inc for $350 cash and $1800 in-kind work for the 2004 meeting.

The Carburettor - Sent in by a reader

"The car won't start," said a wife to her husband.
"I think there's water in the carburettor."

"How do you know?" said the husband scornfully.
"You don't even know what the carburettor is."

"I'm telling you," repeated the wife, "I'm sure
there's water in the carburettor."

"We'll see," mocked the husband. "Let me check it out. Where's the car?"

"In the swimming pool.".............nah nah nana nah