Premier Jay Weatherill says Leigh Creek can have a bright tourism future after the coal mine closes next month.

Asked today whether he believed the mine’s closure could “liberate” the town’s tourism potential, Weatherill replied: “Absolutely.”

“That’s certainly the view of people nearby,” he told ABC 891’s breakfast program.

“There are people with ambitions who want to grow tourism in this region.”

Weatherill’s hopeful message comes a day after Alinta Energy announced it would shut down the Leigh Creek coal mine on 17 November, with its two Port Augusta Power Stations to close around 31 March 2016.

More than 200 workers will lose their jobs at Leigh Creek, and about another 240 will be jobless when the power stations close.

While unions said that workers were “stunned” by the fast-tracked closure, the Premier today was preaching a positive message about the town.

Leigh Creek was purpose-built to support the huge mine, which has been the town’s dominant employer.

However, Weatherill said today “it’s not all bad news”.

He said he had spoken to nearby tourism operators who viewed Leigh Creek’s “company town” reputation as a barrier to tourism growth.

Leigh Creek

In August, the Weatherill government announced a million-dollar support package to assist Alinta Energy’s Leigh Creek workers.

Manufacturing Minister Kyam Maher said the money would help residents who live in the purpose-built town find new jobs in the district.

He also insisted the town could survive in its post-coal world, albeit in a different and smaller form.

“Leigh Creek is a service hub for a number of other communities … a number of pastoral areas,” he said, adding there were “potential tourism opportunities as a gateway to the Flinders”.

“We’re looking to do all we can to make sure there’s an ongoing viability (but) we realise Leigh Creek will not look like it does now – it will become smaller.”