Grey nomads could play a key role in the survival of the South Australian town of Leigh Creek after it was dealt a devastating jobs blow late last year.
The Outback community has faced an uncertain future since its open-cut coal mine closed in November, and 250 people were put out of work.
While short-term measures have been put in place to keep vital services such as the hospital going until mid 2018, the long-term future of an established town which has had an integral part of its identity ripped away, has been far for certain.
Yesterday, a high level delegation of politicians were in Leigh Creek to assess the options, and Premier Jay Weatherill was in no doubt that although it might not always be as big, the town would remain an important service centre for the Flinders Ranges region.
“It plays a critical role in supporting a whole lot of other smaller communities, so it’s a bit of a glue that holds the region together,” he said. “And we think there are incredible tourism opportunities here.
He said the Pichi Richi railway and the ancient fossils in the region were just two of the attractions that could entice grey nomads and other visitors.
The South Australian Government will now spend the next three months considering the more than 30 different ideas that have been submitted to take the town into the future.
The state’s Innovation Minister, Kyam Maher, told the ABC that said the submissions included plans for the caravan park, the tavern and sporting and cultural facilities.
“People are now re-imagining a different and new future,” Mr Maher said.
free camp sites around town people will spend that money around town out back music bash