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Coober Pedy Regional Times
South Australian Outback/Regional Newspaper and Community Forum
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ALCOHOL INTERCEPTED NEAR COOBER PEDY, ALLEGEDLY EN-ROUTE TO APY LANDS

A man has been issued with a barring order after attempting to bring in alcohol to an Aboriginal community. At about 5pm yesterday, patrols stopped a Ford sedan about five kilometres south […]
POLICE ISSUE ‘WIZARD’ DRUG WARNING – NO SAFE DOSES
South Australia Police have issued a warning about an illicit drug referred to as ‘wizard’ following the recent hospitalisation of a man who took a single dose of the potentially fatal substance. […]
SAFETY FLAGS NOW REQUIRED FOR 4WDs CROSSING SIMPSON DESERT

Visitor safety in South Australia’s outback parks will be further improved from Sunday, 16 March 2014 with a new mandatory condition for vehicles travelling in the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Simpson […]
BUSINESSES BEWARE OF ADVERTISING SCAM
In October 2013, a Panorama business owner was approached by a woman who claimed to be from a media group selling business advertising in a local publication. The business owner later decided […]
SUSPICIOUS FIRE AT INDULKANA OVERNIGHT
Police are investigating a suspicious fire which happened overnight at Indulkana in the State’s far north. Just before 10.30pm, police received reports the school was on fire. One classroom has been completely […]
COMMUNITY ALLIANCE SA CALLS MEMBERS TO PUBLIC PROTEST
Your committee, and the Action Group formed at the recent general meeting, has put a number of actions in place leading up to the State Election
PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY INTO OPERATIONS OF TAFE SECTOR
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment has adopted an inquiry into the operation of TAFEs. The inquiry will allow the committee to continue the work of a previous […]
ALTONA ENERGY SEEKS GOVERNMENT APPROVALS ON ARCKARINGA DRILLING
Arckaringa Basin Coal to Liquid project in South Australia has released it’s interim results lodged in London yesterday. Altona Energy is seeking South Australian Government approval for the return of China National […]
STATE ELECTION ENROLMENT CLOSES FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2014
South Australians who have not yet enrolled to vote in the State election on March 15 have until 12 noon tomorrow (Friday, February 21) to do so. South Australia’s Electoral Commissioner, Ms […]
SAPOL: CHANGES TO FIREARMS REGULATIONS
There have been some important amendments to the Firearms Act 1977 and Firearms Regulations 2008, that you may need to be aware of if you own a firearm. Earlier this month provisions […]
HERBICIDE DRIFT RISKS AS PRODUCERS BEGIN WEED SPRAYING

Biosecurity SA says recent heavy, widespread rain has had producers looking to start summer weed spraying straight away. Manager of Rural Chemical Operations in PIRSA’s Biosecurity SA, Michael McManus, said that with […]
ORIC: CEO OF TOP END CORPORATION DISQUALIFIED

The Federal Court in Darwin has today disqualified Mr John Berto from managing companies or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations for a period of two years. The proceedings were brought by […]
ROAD CLOSURES OUT OF COOBER PEDY AFTER OVERNIGHT DELUGE

A number of roads outside of Coober Pedy are closed due to high levels of rain overnight. Oodnadatta – Coober Pedy (Kempe Road) is closed due to rain Oodnadatta Track – Oodnadatta […]
OUTBACK ROADS CAUTION AFTER HEAVY RAINS

South Australia is experiencing severe weather conditions with flooding across the State Road conditions in some areas of the pastoral area have changed with some roads affected this morning. Oodnadatta Track – Marla […]
FUNDING BOOST HELPS SAVE COOBER PEDY DRIVEIN

“Save the Coober Pedy Drive-In” has received $77,500 in funding from the State Government as a recipient of the Community Infrastructure Funding Program. The Drive-In Theatre at Coober Pedy was built by […]
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING SA

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for people in the Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges, West Coast, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North, Riverland, […]
ELECTION WRITS TO BE ISSUED THIS SATURDAY

The process to elect a new state government in South Australia will formally get underway this Saturday (February 15) when the Governor issues the writs for the State election on March 15.
ALTONA ENERGY ARCKARINGA PROJECT UPDATE

Altona Energy Plc (“Altona”) (AIM: ANR), the AIM listed energy company, today announces the following update in respect of the Arckaringa Project in South Australia. Altona has signed a memorandum of understanding […]
MILLION DOLLAR REWARDS IN SA CHILD MURDER CASES

In a major initiative million-dollar rewards are being offered by the South Australian government in relation to 13 cases involving the murder or disappearance (and presumed murder) of children. Major Crime detectives […]
FATAL SHARK ATTACK – YORKE PENINSULA
Update – Fatal shark attack on Yorke Peninsula. Sunday, 9 February 2014 6:38am Police and Emergency Services crews will resume the search this morning for a 28-year-old man from Adelaide, who went […]
NEW LIQUOR LAWS HALVE RELATED VIOLENCE IN COOBER PEDY

Police believe alcohol fuelled violence has halved since new licensing conditions were imposed in Coober Pedy last September. The conditions, imposed by the Liquor Licensing Commissioner as necessary for public order and […]
COURT ORDERS FORMER CEO TO PAY OVER $1.2 MILLION IN FINES AND COMPENSATION

In a ground breaking decision, the Federal Court in Sydney today ordered Mr Damien Matcham, the former CEO of the Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Community and Medical Services (Katungul) to pay over $1.2 […]
MEASLES WARNING FOR COUNTRY SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SA Health has been notified of a case of measles in a Western Australian resident who has been travelling through regional South Australia whilst infectious. Professor Paddy Phillips, SA Health’s Chief Medical […]
FIRE BAN & FIRE DANGER RATING ADVICE FOR TUESDAY 04 FEBRUARY 2014
TOTAL FIRE BANS have been declared for Tuesday, 4 February 2014 in the following Fire Ban Districts: Northwest Pastoral – Severe Northeast Pastoral – Severe Flinders – Severe Mount Lofty Ranges – […]
BOM: SEVERE WEATHER WARNING – for DAMAGING WINDS

The BOM has issued a Severe Weather Warning for people in the Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Flinders, Mid North and parts of the North East Pastoral districts. […]
SACOSS: CONCESSIONS NOT KEEPING PACE WITH COST OF LIVING
The South Australian Council of Social Service reveals that new cost of living data shows a clear need for increases in state government concessions for low income households. The latest SACOSS Cost […]
MAJOR CRIME INVESTIGATION BRANCH TO BE EXPANDED
The South Australia Police Branch responsible for investigating the state’s most heinous crimes is to be expanded. Major Crime Investigation Branch (MCIB), which is responsible for tracking down murderers and putting them […]
NEW COMMUNITY CONSTABLES FOR PORT LINCOLN

The most recent graduates of the Police Academy’s community constable program are Nellie Hirschausen and Swayne Ackland, who now take up their positions at Port Lincoln. Community Constable Swayne Ackland’s graduation comes after […]
EXTREME HEAT ADVICE FOR COUNTRY RESIDENTS
Country Health SA hospitals will once again be open to the public for people to stay cool during South Australia’s ongoing very hot weather. Helen Chalmers, Chief Operating Officer of Country Health […]
COUNTERFEIT $50 AND $100 NOTES CIRCULATING
A man was arrested yesterday after counterfeit notes were passed at several places across Adelaide in the past week. The 49-year-old man from Auldana was arrested and charged with utter forged currency […]
SES EXTREME HEAT WARNING – COMMUNITIES MUST BE ACTIVE & FOCUSED
With the extreme weather conditions forecast, the CEO of the State Emergency Service, Chris Beattie, has issued a warning and is urging people to take appropriate precautions to ensure their wellbeing
COOBER PEDY SHINES IN ‘TRAVELLER’S CHOICE’ AWARDS 2014

Coober Pedy has had the spotlight shone on them after the recent TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2014, under the B&B and Inns category. The Coober Pedy Underground B&B has won the 2014 TripAdvisor […]
GOOD LUCK SENIOR COMMUNITY CONSTABLE WALKER

Senior Community Constable Dean Walker was last year named the South Australian Local Hero in the prestigious Australian of the Year Awards – with the national winners to be announced this coming […]
RELIEF FUND OPEN FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY RECENT BUSHFIRES
**How we can donate ** The South Australian Government has launched an Emergency Relief Fund for people wanting to donate money to help those affected by the bushfires. Minister for Communities and […]
JOB TRAINING UNDERWAY IN THE FAR NORTH
More than 50 additional people in the Far North will receive tailored employment assistance for jobs in priority areas through an expansion of the Skills for Jobs in Regions program. Skills Minister […]
SA LIBERALS COMMIT TO PERMANENT RENAL DIALYSIS ON APY LANDS
If elected to Government in March, State Liberal Leader Steven Marshall has committed to working with the Federal Government to ensure a permanent renal dialysis unit, with the capacity for four renal […]
COUNTRY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY TO OPEN AT WHYALLA
Whyalla will be the first country community in South Australia to have a specialist, country-based inpatient mental health facility when the Whyalla Integrated Mental Health Inpatient Unit (IMHIU) opens later this year.
MEASLES WARNING – CHECK IMMUNISATIONS

Country North South Australia Medicare Local chair and GP, Dr Alison Edwards, said children interacted very closely with each other in schools, kindergartens and child care centres and it was vital that […]
GLOBAL TEMPERATURES: CARBON DIOXIDE HIGHEST IN 800,000 YEARS

Scientific evidence says the level of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere presently is higher than at any time in the past 800,000 years. In 1880, the first year included in the GISS analysis, the […]
PREMIER WEATHERILL ANNOUNCES $60 MILLION JOBS PLAN
Premier Jay Weatherill has released the State Government’s response to the closure of Holden’s Elizabeth plant and the challenges facing the community as a result of Holden’s decision. Our Jobs Plan – […]
HEAT CLOSES PUBLIC ACCESS ROUTES IN OUTBACK
In line with recent announcements regarding the Simpson Desert parks closure over summer, three Public Access Routes (PARs) located in the State’s outback are also closed over the hottest months of the […]
WHITE POINTER SHARK REPORTED IN PORT LINCOLN MARINA

Port Lincoln police are advising the community to be aware that a white pointer shark has been seen in the marina. This afternoon police were notified of the sighting, which took place […]
700 FIREFIGHTERS DEPLOYED OVERNIGHT AND EMERGENCY RELIEF AT PORT PIRIE

An emergency relief centre has been established at the Lions Football Club, Mary Elie St, Port Pirie to assist anyone who chooses to leave their home as a result of the Bangor […]
NASA VIEW OF BUSHFIRES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

In January 2014, an intense heat wave and strong winds fueled an outbreak of hundreds of bushfires in South Australia. NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this image of grass and shrub fires raging in Yumbarra Conservation Park on […]
$1 MILLION FOR SOLAR THERMAL STUDY IN PORT AUGUSTA
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced it would partner with natural gas and electricity provider, Alinta, and the South Australian Government to undertake a $2.3 million full feasibility study into […]
HEAT WAVE UPDATE: EXTREME HEAT ADVICE FOR COUNTRY RESIDENTS

HEAT WAVE UPDATE: On 16 January 2014, there were a total of 65 heat-related presentations to metropolitan Adelaide hospitals. In SA country hospitals there were a further 25 admissions for heat-related conditions.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA PREPARES FOR 2014 CHEMCLEAR CLEAN-UP

All South Australian waste holders must register their unwanted chemicals before 28 March for the 2014 ChemClear program being planned for an April/May collection. So far more than 16,000L/kg of obsolete product […]
HEAT WAVE: CHECK ON FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND NEIGHBOURS LIVING ALONE

With temperatures predicted to rise above 40 °C continuing, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today reminded Australia’s veteran community to take steps to ensure the heat doesn’t impact […]
CONSIDER WILDLIFE AND PETS IN EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS

With more scorching days forecast this week, South Australians are being reminded to take care of pets and native animals as well as the people around them. Department of Environment, Water and […]