Annual Report 2021-2022
Despite unprecedented challenges during the 2021 - 2022 financial year, Roxby Council continued to deliver services that our community values, along with key projects which created or renewed infrastructure, ensuring Roxby Downs remains the young, vibrant community it is renowned as.
As Australia's vaccination program rolled out in late 2021, Council became aware that Roxby Downs' vaccination rate was well below the State and National average. Council took a three-pronged approach to the low vaccination rate; lobbying SA Health for more vaccines, raising public awareness about the importance of vaccines and working with key members of the community to identify and support 'vaccine hesitant' groups. BHP's move to provide onsite vaccination clinics at Olympic Dam also significantly reduced the pressure on vaccine availability at the SA Health clinic in town. This meant Roxby Downs was in a far better position in terms of vaccine rates when the full impact of COVID-19 began to be felt in the town the following year.
Before the spike in COVID-19 cases, Roxby faced an unexpected challenge when heavy rains in the region washed away a section of road between Woomera and Pimba. This cut all transport into and out of Roxby Downs, left residents stranded and disrupted supplies to the town. Council worked tirelessly with BHP, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport and local contractors to create an alternative access route until the flood waters subsided enough to rebuild the road.
Despite the challenges, our community has shown resilience and found ways to move forward, with innovative programs offered at the Roxby Downs Community Library and Community Youth Centre to build connection and community. In May Council celebrated the Sport Precinct Upgrade with a groundbreaking ceremony. The project, which will be completed in 2023, will include two new gender-diverse, AFL standard changerooms and four new multi-purpose playing courts.
Other highlights of the year include the Kokatha Art Development Project and exhibition and the Richardson Place Mural Project which celebrates the region’s mining story.
Geoffrey Whitbread
Administrator