Annual Report 2020-2021
The 2020-21 Financial Year has been one of the most tumultuous times in modern history, as the world scrambled to adapt to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Although there were no cases of the virus in Roxby Downs, the community was well aware of the devastation COVID-19 would wreak in the event of local transmission. Not only is the town the service centre for one of the State’s biggest assets, the Olympic Dam operations, but it is extremely isolated and has just one hospital and one pharmacy.
Roxby Council played a crucial role during lockdowns, communicating information via our Facebook pages and website. Our proactive approach to delivering clear and timely messaging drew more people to our Facebook pages and website than ever before.
Staff at the Roxby Community Library showed creativity and innovation as they moved their popular community activities like Toddler Storytime and Baby Bounce online. Many of our staff worked from home during this time and they displayed resilience, commitment and compassion during a difficult period.
COVID-19 not only taught us to adapt to innovative ways of work, it also made available new opportunities.
Council was successful in obtaining Federal and State Government funding during the 2020-21 financial year for several key projects. These include the much-anticipated Pump Track, Sports Precinct Upgrade and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program funding to build a basketball half-court and upgrade the Richardson Place rotunda. The funding success has set a precedent for Council to seek external funding before committing to any new project. Roxby Council has had a strong focus on building connections with the Traditional Owners of Roxby Downs through the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation. BHP and Council are jointly funding the inaugural Kokatha Art Competition, which will result in the commissioning of three paintings and a sculpture to be displayed in public spaces around town. It’s hoped the competition will also have a longer-term impact, developing a strong and authentic arts economy for Kokatha artists in Roxby Downs.
2020-21 was also a year in which Council published two key documents - the Long-Term Financial Plan and the Strategic Plan for Roxby Downs. These important policy items detail a positive outlook for Council and the town and provide surety of fiscal security and prudent governance.
Caring for our unique arid environment was a focal point over the past financial year and Council has continued to run education campaigns around recycling and green waste. Council also reviewed its Cats By-law and proposed tighter control for cats living within the township. After a period of public consultation, the updated by-law was approved by Council and is currently being reviewed by the Dog and Cat Management Board.
In late February 2021 the rollout of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program began. Throughout this time, Council continued to hold ‘roundtable’ meetings with local stakeholders including BHP, SAPOL, SA Health, Andamooka Health Service, Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners Association Incorporated (APOMA), Andamooka Primary School, St Barbara's Parish School and the Roxby Downs Area School. Discussions focused not just on the COVID-19 pandemic but on broader issues facing the town. By June this year it became apparent that the vaccination rate of Roxby Downs residents was lagging well behind the State average. There was a serious shortage of vaccine availability in the town and Council launched a proactive campaign to source more vaccinations for Roxby Downs. The campaign was ultimately a success with hundreds of addition Pfizer doses made available for Roxby Downs residents. Council has continued the campaign to boost the town’s vaccination rate into the 2021-22 financial year.
Geoff Whitbread - Administrator