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About Roxby Downs

GO BACK

Roxby Downs was purpose built to support the Olympic Dam Mine Site.

History

Roxby Downs was originally a cattle station. The site of the town was no more than desolate outback paddocks. A few workers were the first to arrive, some with young families in tow, and they set up a caravan and tent city. Conditions were challenging but the fledgling town grew with a strong sense of community driven by an Australian pioneering spirit.

Infrastructure was completed during 1987/1988, and the town was officially opened on 5 November 1988.

The name Roxby Downs comes from the name of the original pastoral station. Olympic Dam Mine was named after a livestock watering dam on the Roxby Downs pastoral lease under which the ore body lies. The dam was built during the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956 and is very close to the discovery drill site.

Quick facts:

  • In South Australian Local Government terms, Roxby Council is unique. Created and operating under the Roxby Downs (Indenture Ratification) Act 1982, 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 Council.
    • Separate power and water authorities have been created, with Council operating them as separate self-contained business units.
    • The State Government and BHP are required to approve the Council budget and fund an annual operating Municipal deficit.
  • Kokatha are the traditional owners of the land.
  • Roxby Downs has a very transient population. Currently the town has an estimated population of 4,000.
  • Median age of residential population is 31 years.
  • Climate - Average summer temperature is 35.8◦C with average winter temperature of 19.3◦C. The average annual rainfall is minimal at 148mm per annum.
  • Water supply - Water for Roxby Downs, Olympic Dam and the mine site is sourced from the Great Artesian Basin near the southern and eastern areas of Lake Eyre. Pumped some 200km south to a desalination plant on the BHP mining lease, water is then cooled, desalinated and stored for later distribution.
A historical photo showing the original location of Richardson Place, now the main street in Roxby Downs, viewed from what is currently the hospital site. The image features a barren, red desert landscape with sparse vegetation, a dirt path, and a street sign reading 'Burgoyne St.' against a clear blue sky
Burgoyne Street and Richardson Place intersection (looking up from where the hospital is now located down the main street of Roxby Downs)
An aerial photograph of Roxby Downs circa 1987-1988, showcasing the town in its early development stages. The image highlights rows of small white-roofed houses, sparse vegetation, and red desert terrain. Key landmarks such as the hospital, auditorium, and houses on Stuart Road are notably absent, reflecting the early days of the town's growth.
1987-1988 Looking from Roxby Village to Richardson Place (main street)
A historical photo showing the original location of Richardson Place, now the main street in Roxby Downs, viewed from what is currently the hospital site. The image features a barren, red desert landscape with sparse vegetation, a dirt path, and a street sign reading 'Burgoyne St.' against a clear blue sky
An aerial photograph of Roxby Downs circa 1987-1988, showcasing the town in its early development stages. The image highlights rows of small white-roofed houses, sparse vegetation, and red desert terrain. Key landmarks such as the hospital, auditorium, and houses on Stuart Road are notably absent, reflecting the early days of the town's growth.