MURRAY

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (15:47): I rise once again in his house to speak on a serious matter relating to the ailing River Murray and the subsequent impact that dropping water levels are having on transport infrastructure used to cross the river. Most members would have heard the news that, as soon as next week, one of the ferries at Mannum that transports people, goods and livestock across the River Murray will be forced to close, and this is just the beginning. Weight restrictions are also forecast to be imposed at four other ferries along the stretch of river downstream of Lock 1. Mannum, of course, is in my electorate.

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure has said that the ferry at Mannum will be suspended for the safety of all users. Water has receded from the river's edge, making it impossible to dock safely without the ferry sinking into the riverbed. This government's complete and utter inaction regarding all matters relating to the River Murray and water is now clearly apparent to all South Australians.

I want to know why this government can continue to spend money on ridiculous events—like the tramline opening party, complete with a transvestite performers—but can find no money to invest in upgrading our River Murray infrastructure, namely ferries, a vital and necessary part of the transport system for residents and visitors who cross the river. It is time for this government to give some genuine attention to the River Murray and to the people whose livelihoods depend on it. There is still water in the river, and holidays and water activities can still be enjoyed—and I plan to do that myself at Christmas.

If the infrastructure is failing to cope, what does the government think is going to happen? There are already delays in crossing the river at Mannum during the peak season with two ferries in operation. What will it be like with only one ferry? I will tell members what will happen: people will avoid holidaying in Mannum—such a beautiful spot on our river—or travelling through the town, because they will not want to wait for hours for the ferry to cross the river. Holidaymakers will simply jump on the freeway and return home via Murray Bridge—even if the route is much longer—to avoid lengthy delays.

However, there is a more serious aspect to the closure of this ferry and the imposition of weight restrictions on others, that is, the delays that emergency services vehicles, particularly CFS trucks, will now face when attempting to get to certain areas along the river. If ferries are unable to hold CFS trucks, it will add a lot of distance and time to their journey, and fires do not wait. This is going to cause safety fears among the local river communities, particularly as we are about to enter the bushfire season.

The transport department has said that it has 'the ability to be flexible in the event of an emergency' and that it will work with emergency services through that period. The government needs to realise that its lack of action will seriously affect the safety and lives of many people. The transport department's ability for flexibility in an emergency and willingness to work with emergency services to overcome this issue is not the point; the ability to cross the river is the issue.

The state government needs to invest now before any more ferries are put out of action, either by upgrading the current ferry system or constructing and implementing new infrastructure across the river. As for bridges (either temporary or permanent), Mannum should have had a bridge long before this. It is a long way to the closest bridges which are in Murray Bridge and Blanchetown. Don't use the excuse that it would cost too much, Premier, because South Australians cannot afford to give up on the river, which is the main lifeline of our state. However, it seems that the government already has. It is disgusting the way this part of the river is being sacrificed. I cannot fathom why this government continues to do nothing.

This drought is not a one in one hundred years anomaly; this is something we could be facing every decade or even more often. It is quite clear that our transport infrastructure is not up to scratch. Something needs to be done. Predictions are that the drought will not break any time soon, so this issue must be addressed by the government immediately. Surely, it would not be too difficult to make extensions to the ferry ramps that we currently have.

If the government does not do that, what is its position? Does the government expect people to drive all the way from Mannum to Murray Bridge or Blanchetown just to cross the river? It is a long way, and it is totally unacceptable. The government must know it is happening, and I would like to know whether the government can extend the ramps so that we can operate two ferries at Mannum. If we cannot, what are the alternative plans? It is a very serious situation. People’s livelihoods and safety are at stake.