Parliamentary Committees

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: PORT BONYTHON JETTY REFURBISHMENT

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (11:05): I move:

That the 388^th report of the committee, on the Port Bonython jetty refurbishment, be noted.

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (11:06): Quite clearly this was a matter of major importance for the South Australian economy, and the opposition had no hesitation whatsoever in supporting the project. It was a significantly expensive project—from memory, around about $40 million—for what appeared to be not a great deal of work, which was the worry as far as I was concerned. I know that opposition members asked a number of questions about it. It is of major strategic importance for the Upper Spencer Gulf and, as I said, major economic importance to the state.

One of the things that came out in relation to this was where exactly we are with refurbishment and upgrades on other jetties around the state that are owned by the state. We are yet to find out a bit more, but my information on the Port Bonython Jetty refurbishment was that this is more the start of things up there rather than the end of things. It is heavily used; the figures that were produced at the time were quite amazing. I know that the department was asked to come back with some further information which it did but, in brief, there was absolutely no opposition from the opposition. In fact, it was a very worthwhile exercise going through that process and I know, Madam Speaker, that you have an intense interest in it. We support the project.

Motion carried.