REGIONAL STRATEGIES

In reply to Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (1 July 2008).

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts): I have been advised:

The Office for the Southern Suburbs did not provide any financial assistance in 2007-08 towards regional initiatives, rather the director and contract staff of the Office for the Southern Suburbs gave their time in terms of in kind support, by facilitating linkages between the region and government agencies.

As mentioned in estimates on 1 July 2008 the director is the member of various reference and working groups such as the Southern Employment Skills Formation Network, which guides SA Works spending in the region and the working group that guided the development of the Southern Adelaide Workforce Development Strategy. The director is working closely with the two councils on this important issue and a stakeholder workshop focussing on implementation of the strategy, sponsored by the Office for the Southern Suburbs, is scheduled for 31 July 2008.

The director also provides advice on a needs basis to the Southern Adelaide Economic Development Board and the cities of Marion and Onkaparinga in regard to the implementation of the Southern Adelaide Economic Development Plan.

In addition the director has provided input into section 30 reviews and other planning issues to both myself and the councils on a needs basis.

More recently the staff of the Office for the Southern Suburbs have played a critical executive assistance role to the Southern Suburbs Coordination Group that is responding to the announced closure of Mitsubishi at Tonsley Park.