REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:42): I rise to ask a question of the Minister for Regional Development. Can the minister inform the house about the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund and how it is benefiting country communities?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Northern Suburbs) (14:42): I thank the member for Taylor for her question. The Regional Development Infrastructure Fund (RDIF) was established to address the general disadvantage faced by regional businesses and communities in incurring higher costs for economic infrastructure development. The fund is ongoing with $3 million allocated per annum in three competitive rounds over the course of a year. Applications are assessed by an assessment board on the basis of economic and social impact, and recommendations are made to me for approval.

I have recently announced funding for two major projects. One was a $213,000 grant to Port Lincoln council to fund pumping and associated infrastructure to allow use of recycled water for the beautification of the popular foreshore reserve. This project is stage 3 and the final stage of a greening strategy that will irrigate all public reserves and ovals in Port Lincoln with recycled water. I know the member for Flinders appreciates this investment in his community; in fact, I commend the member for Flinders. I met with him during my recent visit to Port Lincoln and he impressed me with his willingness to work constructively with the government on behalf of his electorate.

The Riverland has also been a significant beneficiary from the RDIF. Last week I announced $120,000 in government support for a premium juice company, Charlie's Group Australia, to expand its processing operations in Renmark. The grant will fund a 350 kVA transformer which may also provide a benefit to Mirage orchards on an adjacent property by acting as a catalyst to increase its production capacity. So they are two possible benefits in the Riverland from that particular proposition. Charlie's itself will increase the number of full-time employees by eight positions to between 20 and 23 and increase the value of purchased fruit to $3.4 million in the 2011-12 year. Charlie's is an Australian registered company employing Riverland people and purchasing Riverland fruit.

Its products are distributed in Australia and New Zealand where its parent company is based. Charlie's was mentioned in The Advertiser yesterday as a positive example of new employment in the Riverland against a backdrop of some hardship—of which the member for Chaffey is only too well aware. In the newspaper article, the Chief Executive of the Murraylands and Riverland RDA, Mr Brenton Lewis, endorsed what the company is doing. This stands in stark contrast to a comment on statewide ABC radio last week: 'Why weren't local brands supported before an overseas company was supported in the Riverland?' That comment was made by the shadow minister for agriculture, the member for Hammond.

This government does not discriminate when it comes to encouraging employment and investment, particularly in the Riverland. We are not going to send investors packing. I welcome interest from any company that wants to grow and establish its operations in the Riverland or anywhere else in regional South Australia. The message from the Rann government is that South Australia is open for business.