Roxby Downs Information

Roxby Council was built by WMC Resources in partnership with the State Government as part of the provisions of the Roxby Downs (Indenture Ratification) Act 1982 (Indenture). In South Australian Local Government terms, Roxby Council is unique. Created and operating under the Indenture, Council operates with all the powers, functions and duties of a South Australian Local Government Authority, with a number of notable exceptions:The requirement of elected Councillors has been suspended with an appointed "Administrator" performing all of the functions of CouncilSeparate power and water authorities have been created, with Council operating them as separate self-contained business unitsThe State Government and BHP Billiton are required to approve the Council budget and fund an annual operating Municipal deficitExternal contractors carry out all of our construction, horticulture and waste management work. When the Municipality was established in 1982, it was always intended that the appointment of the Administrator would be only interim, as a prelude to a possible future elected Council. At the time, it was envisaged that the town would have grown to a population in the vicinity of 9,000. In these circumstances, it was thought that there would be enough population to financially sustain a fully independent operation that could be effectively self-sufficient. As it currently stands it is unlikely that this initial prediction will, in the short to medium term, be reached. The facilities and infrastructure in Roxby Downs are of high quality and the envy of most other towns. The Council operates a wide range of municipal services including roads, streets, footpaths, parks and gardens and waste management. The Council also operates various sport and recreational facilities including Roxbylink (Cultural and Leisure Centre), swimming pools, community ovals and associated buildings. What sets this Council apart is that it also operates separate Electricity (Roxby Power) and Water (Roxby Water) authorities including associated infrastructure.