WATER SECURITY

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (15:49): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Mr Speaker, 12 months ago I establish the water security portfolio to set the path for long-term water security in South Australia. I appointed the Minister for the River Murray as South Australia's first Minister for Water Security. In the past 12 months, the government has embarked upon the most significant water infrastructure program ever launched in this state.

To build on the vital work of the past year, today I announce the establishment of the Office for Water Security. This office will be headed by a commissioner for water security, and will provide a single point focus for water security planning across government. In addition, the water security advisory group and task force will combine to form a new water security council. The council will build upon the highly successful work of the advisory group and task force, and will be charged with identifying and addressing important challenges of ongoing water security. The Minister for Water Security will chair the new council. Membership of the council will consist of chief executives of key state government agencies, including the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, SA Water, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Treasury and Finance, the Department for Environment and Heritage, Primary Industries and Resources SA, and the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. Independent experts will also be appointed to the council. The council will provide an ongoing formal vehicle for issues of strategic importance on water security, including supporting an integrated approach to natural resource management.

The Office of Water Security will coordinate water policy development across government. The office's brief will be to support the Minister for Water Security in the following areas: South Australia's negotiations on the National Plan for Water Security; driving South Australia's commitments under the National Water Initiative; and developing a comprehensive statewide water security plan that builds on and incorporates Waterproofing Adelaide.

In the past 12 months, over $2.5 billion has been committed by this government as part of our four-way strategy to ensure South Australia's long-term water security—a strategy that secures water through diverse initiatives: desalination, recycling, managing water use and improved catchment management. Work has already begun, of course, on a desalination plant for Adelaide. In December, I announced Port Stanvac as the preferred site for a $1.1 billion plant to supply 50 gigalitres of water per annum for Adelaide.

A second major project to secure Adelaide's water supply will be the construction of a $304 million interconnector pipeline to link our northern and southern water networks and provide greater flexibility in managing supply. We are also continuing to investigate the doubling of storage capacity in the Mount Lofty Ranges from approximately one year's supply to two years—a project that will cost in excess of $850 million. Members will also be aware that Mount Bold reservoir is one possible site, and we are investigating others.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I hear people questioning the desal plant. Let me just point out today that we will build a desal plant even if it rains every day—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —for the next three or four years, because it is about the long-term water security of South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: And the fact that you are not committed to it speaks for itself.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I have already called the house to order. The Premier.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Well over $30 million worth of projects to increase treated wastewater reuse have also commenced to lift reuse in South Australia from 20 per cent to 45 per cent, which is well above the national average of 9 per cent. Under the state government, SA Water's total expenditure has increased to nearly $717 million over the past five-year period to 2006-07, which is a 49 per cent increase on the previous five years under the former Liberal government, of which the leader of the opposition was a member. With the major infrastructure projects announced, SA Water's capital expenditure is forecast to increase by a further 280 per cent. Compare the difference with the former government, which did nothing.

South Australia has also played a leading role at the national level. In late 2007, after months of negotiation, the federal parliament passed new legislation—the Water Act 2007—to implement the National Plan for Water Security, falling within the commonwealth's constitutional powers. In line with the agreement brokered by South Australia in February 2007, the act establishes a new expert-based Murray-Darling Basin Authority that will develop a basin plan and set enforceable, sustainable diversion limits. South Australia announced it remained committed to passing complementary legislation to achieve the best outcomes for the River Murray and South Australia's water security.

The federal government is committed to a national approach in dealing with the issues facing the Murray-Darling Basin. I am pleased to have had a number of discussions with Senator Penny Wong, federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, about the Murray-Darling Basin. Minister Wong is holding discussions with the Victorian Premier John Brumby about securing Victoria's agreement to a national plan. Minister Wong, a South Australian senator and senior cabinet minister with responsibility for water, met with Premier Brumby last Thursday and, in a joint public statement, announced that the meeting was both positive and constructive. According to both parties there was significant common ground that would enable further dialogue.

In my discussions with minister Wong, as recently as last Thursday, I have made South Australia's position very clear. Our bottom line is:

the creation of an independent authority to manage the river system;

critical human water requirements must be provided as the highest priority;

a guaranteed minimum entitlement flow to South Australia of 1,850 gigalitres;

environmental flows of 1500 gigalitres by 2018 for the health of the river system including an interim environmental flow of 200 gigalitres at the Murray Mouth until a basin plan is developed.

Local government is also—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Interesting. 'What a laugh!' they say. They do not support the 200 gigalitres at the Murray mouth. Well, I was down there on Friday; I will make sure they know that. Local government is also to be commended with significant water reuse projects being planned in partnership with the state and federal governments.

Projects such as Waterproofing the South and Waterproofing Northern Adelaide aim to substitute mains water with recycled or stormwater irrigation, substantially reducing pressure on the River Murray. We are also working closely with local government to develop new stormwater projects through the Stormwater Management Authority.

While none of us can predict rainfall for the coming year—I expected members opposite to say that they could—the actions taken so far put this state in the best possible position to meet the challenges of climate variability. The state government through the new Office for Water Security will continue to take action in the best interests of all South Australians to deliver long-term water security.

I am told that the Leader of the Opposition did not mention water the other day, did not mention it at all. We understand that the priority is about Stobie poles, $34.3 billion worth of expenditure, but not water.

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: And about Hindmarsh Stadium.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Of course, we all remember their spectacular efforts with Hindmarsh Stadium. Now, apparently, key sections of the soccer community do not believe Hindmarsh Stadium is sufficient for their use. There has been a big debate over the Hindmarsh Stadium over the years, it was the crowning glory of the previous government and now it is being abandoned.

Ms CHAPMAN: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms CHAPMAN: I move that leave be withdrawn, as the Premier has clearly finished the ministerial statement.

The SPEAKER: You don't need to move it; you just need to say it. Leave is withdrawn.