Future‐proofing a local government authority for a post‐mining future

• Published in: Geographical research Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 293 - 308
• Main Authors: Haslam McKenzie, Fiona M., Eyles, Suzanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Carlton South Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-05-2024
• Subjects: Authority; Change management; Community involvement; Community participation; Community planning; Economics; Employment; future‐proofing; Local economy; Local government; mine closure planning; Miners; Mines; Mining; Mining industry; own‐source revenue; regional economic development; Resilience; Sequences; Usefulness
• ISSN: 1745-5863; 1745-5871
• DOI: 10.1111/1745-5871.12634

The inevitable mine lifecycle sequences of the mining industry and the eventual closure of mines has dramatic impacts on mining communities. The complexities of mine closure and planning for a different future beyond mining demand prescient preparation, preferably long before mines close, to optimise community participation in planning and enhance change management opportunities. Convincing others of the usefulness of imagining a future that is so different from the status quo is challenging, and it is especially difficult bringing an entire community on a long‐term planning journey. The Shire of Coolgardie, a small Western Australian local government authority, has embarked on a long‐term mission to build economic and social resilience, shoring up funds that will assist the Shire to ride out the inevitable mine lifecycle sequences of and diversify its income bases. This article builds an evidence‐based approximation of the economic and social benefits of the initiatives accrued across the Shire, outlining the calculated risks taken by the Shire in its quest to ultimately reorient the local economy to one less dependent on mining income and employment. The article concludes with lessons learned and a discussion regarding the replicability of the successful initiatives for other local government authorities elsewhere, particularly in Australia where the legislative restrictions to generate own‐source revenues are so severely limiting.
Unlike many other local government authorities, the Shire of Coolgardie is seeking to future‐proof itself from the mining cycle. It is actively working to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, even though own‐source revenue will potentially compromise the receipt of government grants. It was evident that the leadership model for this local government was unlike many others, and despite the passage of time and change in the elected representatives on the council, there appears to be an aligned group of people committed to future‐proofing a small municipality and diversifying the local economy.