Iron or one of these jobs to get SA back to work
Millions of tonnes of iron ore could be extracted from the SA outback – we just need to build the infrastructure. And it’s only one of a the big jobs the state could be getting back to work on.
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Sixty million tonnes of iron ore could be extracted from outback South Australia, if the State Government invested in the right infrastructure,
The SA Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy and the SA Freight Council say key infrastructure is needed to extract iron ore from the Braemar region, near the South Australia-NSW border area.
This would provide a significant boost to the regions and the resources sector in a post-lockdown economy, at time the State Government will need strong infrastructure builds, they said.
Mines in the area had not been able to “get up because they need the infrastructure like water, electricity and rail lines,” said SA Freight Council executive officer Evan Knapp.
“There is genuine potential there but there are a lot of challenges because it is fairly inaccessible country.”
The groups have called on the Government to adopt a new way of thinking to seize new opportunities to kickstart the economy.
Inspired by comments in the recently released inaugural Infrastructure SA report both bodies said the State Government should invest first – and seek private dollars later. SA Chamber of Mines and Energy chief executive Rebecca Knol said this would require a fundamental shift in strategy and approach, but would have enormous pay-offs.
The existing system seeks to get public/private investment at the first stage.
“It is an approach that could be adopted to catalyse investment and project development in the state,” she said.
“SACOME has advocated for Government to play an active role in developing common user infrastructure and, in so doing, break the investment deadlock.”
Previous proposals with multi-billion price tags have included upgrading the rail network between Broken Hill and Spencer Gulf, a desalination plant and a deepwater port somewhere south of Port Pirie.
The State Government would not be drawn on considering new funding models.
But a spokesman said it was actively engaged with the resources industry to unlock the value in SA’s mineral resources, including deposits in the Braemar and Gawler Craton.
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This includes funding the $10 million 294,000km2 Gawler Craton Airborne Survey, the $10 million Accelerated Discovery Initiative and deferring mineral exploration fees and work plan commitments, the spokesman said.
The Infrastructure SA report said “different commercial models with the potential to attract private sector investment should be proactively pursued early in the planning for projects.”
“A challenge within South Australia is that there can be insufficient demand to make a project fully commercial at concept design stage,” it said.
“Where there is strategic merit, government should explore what role it can play to de-risk the project and aggregate demand sufficiently to attract private capital.”
TEN MORE PROJECTS TO KICKSTART THE ECONOMY
MONARTO ZOO
The five-star expansion to transform Monarto Zoo into the world’s largest safari experience outside of Africa.
CLELAND WILDLIFE PARK
vision for Cleland Wildlife Park including treetop walk, zip-line and cable car.
LOT 14
A dedicated Adelaide Concert Hall and a new Aboriginal Art Centre are among the ideas for the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site.
THE OUTBACK
Upgrading the Strzelecki Track would improve the vital supply link for major oil and gas facilities located in the Cooper Basin. A deep water Port for Spencer Gulf has also been on the wishlist while tourism infrastructure to show off the world’s single greatest record of Ediacaran fossils, located at Nilpena Station in the Flinders Ranges has been suggested.
TRANSPORT
Expanding Adelaide’s tram network including to the airport and to North Adelaide, upgrading and building more social housing stock and tunnels for the North-South corridor would put thousands to work.
