Leigh Creek houses for rent from just $77 a week in plan to keep the former mining town alive

AS the cost of living continues to rise for many Adelaide families, it might be tempting to go bush ... in one once-thriving town, you can now pick up houses from just $77 a week.

RENTAL properties as cheap as $77 a week are up for grabs in Leigh Creek as the State Government relaxes its rules for tenants to live in the mining town.

In a move hoped to encourage more residents in the state’s Far North, housing is now available to all residents rather than just mine workers and service providers.

The government-owned town previously limited properties to people working 20 hours or more in Leigh Creek, or leaseholders provided by Flinders Power.

Now, properties ranging from $77.25 to $86.65 a week are available to families with children enrolled at the local school, or people who meet one of three other requirements.

The move is part of Leigh Creek becoming an “open” town by July, helping it transition from the closure of Alinta Energy’s coal mine, in 2015, to a regional service centre.

The town, 550km north of Adelaide on the Outback Highway, has a supermarket, school, swimming pool, petrol station, airport, health service, tavern and accommodation.

There are hopes Leigh Creek will survive as a tourism portal to the Outback. Picture: Dean Martin

But Leigh Creek has suffered a population decline since the mine closure, dropping from 500 to about 165 residents, which includes mine rehabilitation workers.

Future tenants can either support new or increased economic activities, work a minimum of 7.5 hours a week in Leigh Creek, or be transferring from Flinders Power Partnership leases.’

More than 60 properties have recently had maintenance upgrades, including replacing carpet and, wall and ceiling repairs.

A further 21 properties were identified for removal.

Once the government deems the town “open”, current residents — who are paying peppercorn rents — could purchase housing in Leigh Creek that essentially remained government-ran.

The government’s Leigh Creek Futures report, released in 2016, recommended the transition to an “open” town and highlighted possible commercial opportunities.

These included using existing infrastructure for developments in the education, training, tourism and arts sectors.

The town of Leigh Creek. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

However, the Opposition has been critical of the government for its inaction on the report.

A spokesman for Minister Kyam Maher said the government remained committed to Leigh Creek and its promise to help grow opportunities in the town.

“The State Government is committed to providing services to support Leigh Creek, including supporting new businesses, economic activities and local employment,” he said.

An example, he said, is the two-year lease of the town’s caravan park being awarded to Leigh Creek South Motors owner Breyten Ward.

Wi-fi is available at Leigh Creek Outback Resort, Leigh Creek South Motors and the airport, while Aroona Dam is open to recreational fishers.

A deserted home in Leigh Creek. Picture: Kelly Barnes

One of the government’s coups for Leigh Creek last year was a six-week flight training program at the local airstrip, which is yet to be formalised into a long-term arrangement.

Leigh Creek Energy wants to pursue underground coal gasification project on the existing coal field, but is facing fierce opposition from parts of the local community, in particular traditional landowners in Copley, 5km away.

Alex Austin and Bonnie McLeod work at the Leigh Creek pool. Picture: Tom Huntley