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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Migrant investor breathes new life into remote Australian town

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Punjabi immigrant Baljit Singh Bajwa and partners have purchased significant infrastructure in Leigh Creek, a remote South Australian town with a population of 100.
  • The town, once a thriving mining community, now possesses facilities built for a much larger population, including a cinema, sports complex, and resort.
  • Bajwa aims to revitalize Leigh Creek by attracting tourists and investment, warning that the infrastructure could deteriorate without patronage.

In the remote outback of South Australia, the small town of Leigh Creek, with a population of just 100 residents, is undergoing a transformation led by Punjabi immigrant Baljit Singh Bajwa and his business partners. They have acquired a substantial portion of the town's infrastructure, including a large complex featuring a 230-seat cinema, indoor sports courts, a conference facility, and a resort with nearly 100 rooms.

Leigh Creek was purpose-built in the early 1980s to support the Leigh Creek Coal Mine, which operated until 2015. At its peak, the town housed 2,800 people. Following the mine's closure, the population dwindled significantly, leading to the demolition of about 200 homes in 2022 to manage the town's size.

There is everything, you name it

— Mr. Bajwadescribing the extensive facilities available in Leigh Creek.

Bajwa, who moved to Leigh Creek after seeing its potential, now manages the local hotel and restaurant. His group also owns the caravan park, service station, several homes, and the aforementioned complex. He believes the town, despite its current challenges, offers unique opportunities.

Known affectionately as Bali, Bajwa is concerned about the town's future, emphasizing that the existing infrastructure, built for a much larger population, requires patronage from tourists and financial investment to prevent deterioration. He sees Leigh Creek at a critical juncture, where its survival depends on attracting new life and visitors to utilize its extensive facilities.

You cannot build a town from scratch because most of the new mines, they do

— Mr. Bajwahighlighting the value of existing infrastructure and the challenge of attracting new development.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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