Case Studies
Issue No. 45 - Feb/March 2009
Riverlanders mine workshare plan
The Riverland Development Council’s role toencourage encourage and facilitate the continuing economic development of the region has been boosted through the mining sector.
RDC CEO, Ken Smith says global competition, cheaper imports, the changing Australian dollar combined with low water security have hurt the Riverland’s core industries.
In 2007-08 the organisation judged the need to diversify work opportunities for the community was critical to sustain family units in the region. Ken says tapping into the mining sector has been a calculated process.
“A decision was made by the RDC to actively investigate the opportunities for local workers and businesses to benefit from current mining exploration opportunities and the impending mining boom within SA,” he says.
“Horticultural workers in the Riverland possess many
skills that can be readily transferred to the mining industry – in particular processing skills, heavy machinery operation and maintenance, lab technology, working to strict OH&S standards and working in hot conditions.
“The RDC believed with such a ready and willing workforce, there was real potential for many Riverlanders to access roster mining employment while the core family unit remained in the Riverland and helped to secure the economic and social framework of the region.”
Ken says the RDC’s initial scoping visit to Olympic Dam and Prominent Hill Mines in February 2008 and the townships of Roxby D...
