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COOBER PEDY, 27 May 2025 — The results are in, and the message from the community is deafening: Coober Pedy residents do not support the proposed $7.5 million Drive-In Master Plan.
As part of a public consultation process, the District Council of Coober Pedy received 83 formal submissions in response to the plan. Of those, 71 were clearly opposed, while only 12 offered support—a breakdown of roughly 86% against and 14% in favour.
The council is due to formally discuss the results at its meeting tomorrow, 28 May 2025. The submissions can be viewed by the public
here, https://www.cooberpedy.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1813610/signed-Agenda-28-May-Council-Meeting-attachments.pdf, with feedback listed from page 570 to 596.
Among the many voices expressing concern was local resident Rob Dempster, who wrote:
“To beautify a drive-in at an expense of $7.5 million is a moment in madness.”
His submission went on to question the omission of operational and maintenance costs in the plan, especially in light of rising council rates and water charges. He, like many others, argued that there are far more pressing concerns for the community's limited resources.
Others described the plan as “fiscally irresponsible,” “tone-deaf,” or “a vanity project,” with several pointing to the town’s long-standing debt and fragile infrastructure as reasons to rethink such an ambitious spend.
Despite these concerns, the council has stated that no ratepayer money would be used, and that external grant funding would be sought. Still, for many locals, this provides little reassurance, especially when the plan would require shovel-readiness—suggesting that considerable resources would still be directed toward preparing the site.
The Coober Pedy Drive-In is more than just a screen and a car park. It’s a piece of our town’s history, culture, and quirky charm. It’s also one of the last remaining drive-ins in the Southern Hemisphere—an icon worth protecting. But protecting it doesn't have to mean “reinventing” it.
The Community Has Spoken. Now What?
In a functioning democracy, public feedback isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s the compass by which decisions are made. And in this case, the compass is pointing clearly away from the current Drive-In Master Plan.
So, can we now put this plan to bed?
Instead of pushing ahead with an overwhelmingly rejected design, it's time to regroup. Let’s start with a community-led conversation about what the drive-in needs—and what it doesn’t.
A smaller, more financially viable plan that preserves the rustic character of the site while addressing safety and accessibility could gain genuine support. There’s no shortage of ideas, passion, or volunteers in Coober Pedy—just a need for the right kind of plan.
Let’s harness that passion. Let’s get together—not just to oppose plans, but to create better ones.
The drive-in belongs to all of us. Let’s make sure its future reflects that.