DISTRICT Council of Tumby Bay chief executive officer Trevor Smith says they are keen to maximise benefits from mining projects on the Eyre Peninsula.
"Local governments across the EP are setting up a mining taskforce," he said.
"As well as local and state government representation the taskforce will be liaising with mining companies as required when looking at specific projects.
"The purpose of the group is to look at future infrastructure requirements, with the current and future developments in exploration and extraction of minerals, oil and gas.
"We need to look at the effect on local communities and ensure there's a healthy progression of infrastructure as required."
Mr Smith said the council wanted to ensure communities benefited from mining developments.
"History says, if you look at WA in particular, that physical infrastructure and services traditionally lag well behind increased demand from mining developments," he said.
"That creates artificially high prices. So, what we are trying to do is ensure all essential services like electricity, water and housing, as well as services such as education, health and childcare, are going to be catered for, so mining can be introduced without disruption to the local communities."
Mr Smith said extra jobs were the obvious benefit from mining developments.
"The jobs factor is the obvious one, but it's significant," he said.
"Mining can provide a huge benefit to the community by providing alternative income apart from the traditional farming, fishing and tourism industries."
The eleven Eyre Peninsula Councils will be represented on the taskforce by the Local Government Association chairperson Julie Low, who is also mayor of the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mayor Eleanor Scholz, Wudinna, and CEO Peter Peppin, Whyalla.
Minister for Finance, Resources & Energy Tom Koutsantonis is a state government representative on the taskforce.
Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association executive officer Tony Irvine will assist the taskforce.
Mr Smith said the council was also looking at other growth areas for the district,
"The other growth industry around town is aged care, Tumby Bay is a bit of a retirement town," he said.
"We're looking to work with the community and health services to share resources, because it's very important we keep up with the provision of aged community services.
"We also need to ensure state and federal government are doing their bit to assist with health services."
The council recently secured a $600,000 federal grant for renovations and extensions to the Tumby Bay hospital.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 25, 2014 issue.