Adjournment Debate

BAROSSA TRAIN SERVICE

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (16:50): I want to tell the house how pleased I was last week to catch a train to the Barossa Valley. I caught the train from Adelaide in the morning at 10 minutes to 8; it was an express train to Gawler and I was very sad I had to alight in Gawler because, even though the line went on to the Barossa, the train did not go there. So I had to have a person waiting for me in Gawler to pick me up and take me to the Barossa. It really annoyed me because the train line goes past the back of my office in Tanunda. In fact, I see a train pass by there twice a day. The train goes up in the morning empty and comes back late in the afternoon loaded with stones, going from the Angaston mine to Penrice, Port Adelaide.

An honourable member interjecting:

Mr VENNING: Up and back once a day. So the train line is open and functional. I have to say that I was very impressed with the service to Gawler. It was quick. I got there much quicker than I could in the car, and I could do my work and read the newspaper as I was travelling. I thought: this is the way to go.

I say to the government (in one of my shorter speeches to this place), please at least trial the service. Run at least one or two services to the Barossa. The train is available. All the government has to do is negotiate access to the track with Genesee Wyoming. That access is guaranteed because of the deal we did with them at the time. The government always has guaranteed access through an independent arbitrator. It can gain access to that track. I do not wear any of the minister's feeble excuses. I think the minister can allay some of his critics by saying, 'Look, we will give it a go.'

At least 20 other people who were travelling on that train—it was about 8.45 pm—and who also got off at Gawler, then had to make there way to the Barossa by car. How many people would use a train to travel to the Barossa? If it was advertised, I think members would be surprised. I did think it was very worthwhile and, as it turned out, a staff member who lives in Gawler then drove me to the office. It would be so much more convenient if I could catch an express train to the Barossa in the morning. I could be in the Barossa in one hour and 15 minutes. That would be fantastic and the service would be well used. I would use it and I would recommend that everyone else did, too. I wish everyone a happy weekend on the train.

Motion carried.

At 16:54 the house adjourned until Tuesday 1 April 2008 at 11:00.