The District Council of Coober Pedy is a
local government area located around the opal mining town of the
same name in
Outback South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
. The district's economy is based on the large
opal
Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·''n''H2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline form ...
deposits found beneath it, which have made it a major mining centre and also a popular tourist destination.
History
The town of
Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy () is a town in northern South Australia, north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there. Coober Pedy is ...
was settled entirely for the large finds of
opal
Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·''n''H2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline form ...
nearby, with the first deposits uncovered in 1915, before substantially more miners moved in by 1917. The town was named ‘Coober Pedy’ by the local Progress and Miners Association in 1920 from the
Aboriginal words "Kupa Piti", meaning white man's hole or
waterhole.
With a growing population of over 3000 in 1980, the move was made to establish local government in the area. Although there was some initial controversy, the first elections were held in 1987, signalling the establishment of the council.
Economy
Since the establishment of the town, the district has relied nearly solely on the mining of the
gemstone opal
Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·''n''H2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline form ...
. After the initial discovery in 1915, a number of large strikes, particularly in 1946 saw renewed interest, and by the 1960s, opal mining was a multimillion-dollar industry, and has remained that way to the present day.
Tourism is a rapidly growing facet of the districts economy, with tourists visiting the area to see the opal mines and the unique underground lifestyle of the town.
Localities
The town of
Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy () is a town in northern South Australia, north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there. Coober Pedy is ...
is the only locality in the district, but the council is not confined exclusively to the town area, and includes the neighbouring opal mining fields.
Elected members
The District Council of Coober Pedy has a directly elected mayor.
As of 23 January 2019, DCCP is under an Administrator, with all Elected Members suspended for an initial period of 12 months.
References
External links
LGA pageCouncil Website
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Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy () is a town in northern South Australia, north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there. Coober Pedy is ...
Far North (South Australia)