Adnyamathanha group claims racial discrimination in State Government’s decision over lease for Leigh Creek Outback Resort

An Aboriginal association is claiming racial discrimination after missing out on its bid to run a resort in the northern Flinders Ranges.

Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association chief executive Vince Coulthard is disappointed his organisation will not take on the Leigh Creek Outback Resort. Picture: Brad Fleet

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AN ABORIGINAL association is claiming racial discrimination after missing out on its bid to run a resort in the northern Flinders Ranges.

The Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association (ATLA) was among organisations applying to run the Leigh Creek Outback Resort after hospitality group 1834 Hotels’ lease ended on March 31.

ATLA chief executive Vince Coulthard was “absolutely livid” his association was not successful in the State Government-managed tender process.

Breyten Ward, who runs the town’s petrol station and caravan park, will take on the business.

“I honestly believe it’s a race-based decision,” Mr Coulthard said.

He said his organisation, which is a joint-venture partner in Wilpena Pound Resort, sought an explanation on why it missed out when it had extensive experience in the industry.

“We’ll certainly be taking whatever action necessary,” Mr Coulthard said.

When coal mining stopped in Leigh Creek in 2015, ATLA proposed running the town’s services but the Government instead appointed the Outback Communities Authority.

ATLA had hoped to use Leigh Creek as a training base for hospitality staff. The town would also be an ideal place for aviation training, Mr Coulthard said.

Leigh Creek was built as a mining town for 2500 people in the 1970s. Since the mine closed, its population has dwindled to about 120 people.

Mr Coulthard’s brother Terry, a director of ATLA, is also administrator at Iga Warta — a cultural tourism business in the Gammon Ranges.

Terry said he had previously expressed an interest in running Leigh Creek Caravan Park and turning the defunct pistol club into an accommodation business, but had been rejected by the State Government, which owns all properties in the town.

“It seems that everything we try and do at Leigh Creek, they don’t want us there,” he said.

Breyten Ward, who runs Leigh Creek’s caravan park and petrol station, has also taken on the running of the Leigh Creek Outback Resort. Picture: Brad Fleet

A State Government spokesman said the Government “categorically rejects the suggestion that the decision was racially influenced”.

“An official panel of seven people, which included an indigenous member, assessed the applications,” he said.

“The panel determined the successful applicant under strict probity guidelines.”

Mr Ward said he was focused on using tourism to cement Leigh Creek’s future.

He said from this Easter, resort guests could book new scenic flights over the former mine, nearby Aroona Dam and other sites of interest.

He has also bought a bus and plans to run tours to nearby Outback sites, such as Marree, Blinman, Arkaroola and Iga Warta.

“It’s all about making Leigh Creek a destination — that’s my vision — and now I can work hard on that,” Mr Ward said.

“Instead of just sitting around waiting for things to happen, I want to go hard and get Leigh Creek as a place on the map.”

The resort’s eatery now has a chef for the first time in more than two years and is overhauling its menu, offering higher quality meals in its bistro, alongside traditional counter fare in the front bar.

Mr Ward could spread staff across his three businesses, providing more security for their positions.

“I’ve got a good mob of staff and can now employ people that want to live in Leigh Creek,” he said.

Although the business was labelled a resort by name, Mr Ward believed it was yet to cement that place in the region.

“I think in about four years time it will be a resort, if my vision goes where I’d like it to,” he said.

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