FOOTPATHS

Ms PORTOLESI (Hartley) (15:37): I rise to speak on a very important issue, footpaths in my electorate of Hartley—

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: Pavements.

Ms PORTOLESI: —we call them footpaths in Campbelltown—which was recently highlighted by an important story in the local media. The East Torrens Messenger told the story of an elderly constituent of mine who had a fall due to uneven pavers while walking along St Bernards Road near her home in Magill. She suffered extensive injuries from the fall, with a haemorrhaging knee, an injured back and widespread bruising. She has informed my office that this was one of many falls and that one of her neighbours recently fell on a similar stretch of pavement. I wish her well in her recovery.

The story highlighted by the Messenger—and I congratulate it for drawing attention to this important matter—is a timely reminder for governments at all levels that we need to get the basics right. Ensuring that essential services are provided to our community is a priority for me as a local member. While it may be footpaths and waste collection for council, it is health, education, water security and community safety for this state government.

This is not news in my local area. It is a persistent source of debate in the community and one that played a significant role, I believe, in the results of the last local government election in Campbelltown. Members may recall that the council was divided prior to the election over a proposal to build a multimillion-dollar centre—a proposal which has now largely been abandoned.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson interjecting:

Ms PORTOLESI: No, I haven't succeeded in bringing back the love, Attorney. I would like to start with you, in fact. The state of the footpaths is an issue that was first raised with me years ago when I held my first street corner meeting as a candidate, and this is not just a problem in the Campbelltown area. It continues to be a really important issue. I was doorknocking in Kensington Gardens on Monday, and the issue of the lack of adequate footpaths was raised consistently.

I was asked why there are footpaths on one side of the street only (as we often have) and, I must say, I do not know the answer to that. It is an issue raised not just by our most senior citizens; it is also raised by parents pushing prams and walking young children. I am aware that Campbelltown City Council recognises this is a problem and, in doing so, acknowledge that there are some things they cannot control. Pavers and footpaths are affected by the ongoing drought and the recent heatwave, which have caused the soil to shift. I am also aware that council has a significant program to address the backlog of maintenance and improvements to pavements.

I urge the council to act without delay on this matter, and do appreciate that it has a massive job ahead of it. We want to ensure that our senior citizens remain active in our community. I must commend the Minister for Ageing, for example, for initiatives such as the Circle of Friends program, which supports the elderly with everyday tasks, keeping them connected with other members of the community—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

Ms PORTOLESI: Which is the council's responsibility. We do not want elderly residents to isolate themselves in their own homes because they do not feel safe walking to the shops for fear of a fall. I am pleased to report that, although footpaths are in need of improvement, the community spirit in Campbelltown is not. Following my constituent's fall, she was assisted by no fewer than four passers-by, who went out of their way to assist her. They all deserve our heartfelt thanks.

I do believe that some of the credit for this strong display of community spirit in Campbelltown must go to the council. Community events organised by the council, such as the recent Campbelltown Proud Day, where 2,500 people gathered in Thorndon Park, is a great celebration of the diversity and strength of our local community.

Whilst on this subject, I would like to congratulate Mr Sam Di Bacco, who undertook and completed at the Campbelltown Proud Day, a variety charity bike ride from Brisbane to Adelaide. His effort to raise money for kids with disabilities was a thoroughly selfless act, even more so given the ride took place during the peak of our recent heatwave. I look forward to working with my local councils and communities for the benefit of our constituents.