When Minister for Local Government Joe Szakacs stood in Parliament last week and confidently declared that “the Coober Pedy community will be out of administration next year,” many in town took it as cause for celebration.
After six years under external control, “out of administration” was music to the ears of a weary community.
But as the applause fades, we would do well to listen carefully to what was not said.

A Return to Democracy — or a Hybrid in Disguise?
Rumours have been circulating that the State Government may replace the Administrator not with a fully elected council, but with a “hybrid” model — part elected, part government-appointed.
If that proves true, it would amount to a return to partial local governance, not full democracy.
Mr Szakacs’ statement in Parliament was notably vague on the form of governance to come. He said only that Coober Pedy would be “out of administration,” not that its people would regain full control of their town.


Blaming the Past, Ignoring the Present
In his parliamentary response, Mr Szakacs criticised the “poor governance, abysmal asset management, and a council that was on absolute breaking point” that preceded administration.
While few would argue the old council was perfect, the record under administration has been far from exemplary.
Since the State Government took over, Coober Pedy has seen its asset base eroded and its infrastructure decay.
• The council fleet has become so dilapidated that vehicles had to be rented to keep basic services running.
• Bin collections were missed when the rubbish trucks broke down.
• The generator for the town’s water pumps failed, forcing the town to rent one at massive expense — despite two new generators having been purchased. One was even cannibalised for parts, leaving no redundancy when the inevitable failure came.
When the Minister speaks of “asset management,” he neglects to mention that the town’s assets are now a shadow of what they once were.


The Rhetoric of Pride vs. the Reality of Neglect
Mr Szakacs told Parliament that Coober Pedy is “one of the most amazing places in our state”, a jewel of history, culture, and resilience.
Yet the Malinauskas Government’s own tourism campaign, the multimillion-dollar showcase of South Australia, made no mention of Coober Pedy.
Not a single frame in the promotional video highlighted this world-famous underground town.
The message seems mixed: public praise in Parliament, but practical omission in policy and promotion.


The Price of Trust
Coober Pedy has endured six years of broken trust, neglected infrastructure, and promises of reform.
If the Government intends to impose a “hybrid” council — part elected, part appointed — it must be honest with the people now.
“Out of administration” should mean returning power to the people, not rebranding continued control.

A Poisoned Chalice?
Even if the town is handed back next year, one has to ask “who would even take the job”?
Who in Coober Pedy is willing to put their hand up to be Mayor or Councillor?
Who is qualified, and more importantly, who would want to shoulder that burden?
If the rumours of a $19 million debt are true, then “handing the town back” could be nothing more than a ruse, a political red herring to shift blame.
If years of administration have left Coober Pedy deeper in debt than ever before, what hope does a newly elected council have to fix the damage?
The last Administrator openly admitted that the town was trading insolvent. And yet, that is apparently how they intend to hand it back.
Those celebrating the end of administration may be drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid if they believe the outcome will be anything other than the State Government, a few years down the track, saying:
“We knew you couldn’t do it. We were nice enough to give you a go, but now we have to take over again.”

Quoting the Record
“The Coober Pedy community will be out of administration next year.”
— Hon. Joe Szakacs, Minister for Local Government, South Australian Parliament, October 2025