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Bus service lost!
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It was confirmed late last week that the daily Stateliner Bus Service to Roxby Downs will cease as of July 29 due to a lack of patronage and the spiralling costs of fuel. A spokesman from Stateliner’s head office confirmed the closure of the service saying it was no rumour. “The last service from Port Augusta goes out on July 28 and the last service coming down from Roxby is the 29th.” He also stated that there was a possibility of a community service from Roxby to Port Augusta, but that has yet to be decided upon. The Stateliner spokesman told the Monitor there had been a steady drop off in custom and the company had downsized the service to a mini bus to try and make it more profitable, “but we are just losing huge dollars on it every time we travel”. “It is just not being used enough. The fuel costs are absolutely caning us at the moment but it was just a damn pity people weren’t using it.
“We work very close to BHP Billiton regarding rosters to make sure we were running at the right time but they just weren’t patronising it.” He said they were travelling with an average of three or four people and the freight component of the business couldn’t carry it. “There’s that many freight guys going up there now, our freight’s drained off and they do a door to door service which we just cannot offer. “I’ve got to tell you it has been a hard decision – we’ve been looking at this and sorting things out for the past two years trying to make it work, trying different things, to try and make it viable.” He said the company would have loved to remain in Roxby but conceded in the end they just could not keeping the service running at a loss. Local businessman Leigh Malcolm said that the Stateliner Bus Service had been a very important daily link for his Hourglass Jewellery business and he like others around him used the freight
Volume 4, Thursday 17th July, 2007
delivery almost daily. Mr. Malcolm said he would have to source other general delivery services or air freight but expected the options to be a lot more expensive. Local agent for Stateliner, Ian Johnson at the Roxby Downs Newsagency said he could not comment on the closure of the service until he receives official notification in writing. “I will be looking around at what I can find to keep the service going - it’s a community passenger service and we need something in Roxby,” said Mr. Johnson. He told the Monitor that people can’t always get a flight, while others say there are those who just don’t like flying. “Really at this stage I can’t comment because I don’t know enough about their side of the business. They do it and do it well and if they can’t do it, I can’t see too many other people doing it successfully,” concluded Mr. Johnson.
A home away from home? Identifying and resolving the problems of isolation among people living in BHP Billiton’s village accommodation are being given a higher priority by both ESS Worldwide Services and BHP Billiton. ‘We look after some 1150 people at the Olympic Village. Isolation and the associated problems that go with it are very real in mining communities across the country, not least at Olympic Dam,’ Project Manager, ESS Worldwide Services, Mr Eddie Vahldieck said. ‘We’re working with BHP Billiton to ensure living in remote camps is a more rewarding experience and to take away the feeling of isolation that many workers go through.’ he said. Olympic Dam Vice President, Human Resources Paul Walters agrees. “Working away from home certainly has its challenges and we try to make village life as much as a ‘home away from home’ as we can. “We are committed to a major investment program of upgrades to both Roxby and Olympic Villages. In fact, in the last six months alone, we spent $1.4 million on improvements at Olympic Village including major upgrades to the gym, squash courts, volleyball courts, new barbecue areas and wet mess. “These facilities, along with the Health and Lifestyle Coordinators employed by ESS, go a long way in helping village residents relax and maintain a healthy lifestyle outside of work. And this is just the start – there are many more improvements to come.” Last week ESS appointed its second Health and Lifestyle Coordinator at Olympic Village (see Profile Anna-Maria Tassone). “Part of the HLC’S role is to provide social and sporting activities that promote well being. Obesity, fitness and alcohol consumption are the key areas that our HLCs address,” Mr Vahldieck said. Full time gym instructor Lorraine Dubrey spots for Mark Edmonds during a recent gym session at the Olympic Dam Village.
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