PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: EAST GRAND TRUNKWAY GILLMAN—INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (11:46): I move:

That the 401^st report of the committee, entitled the East Grand Trunkway Gillman—Industrial Estate, be noted.

Under section 12 of the Parliamentary Committees Act, the Public Works Committee has examined this proposal and recommends the proposed public works.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (11:46): The opposition supports the 401^st report of the committee and looks forward to seeing this development proceed. We note that the future development of this general location by the government has been a little confused. There have been other proposals for development at the precinct that have been abandoned as a result of budget cuts. I note that this has been covered in the media outlet InDaily in some detail. We were, therefore, surprised but pleased to see this proposal come forward because it will see commercial development down at the port, where it is needed.

I just make the point, in addressing this report, that another important development, besides this report, awaits government decision and that is the construction of a motorplex down at Gillman on land to the east of this particular site. I understand and welcome signals from the government that they are prepared to sit down with the motorplex proponents now and work together at delivering an outcome there.

I certainly hope that the Minister for Motor Sport becomes the sole point of contact for government with the proponents and that the various parts of government come together and look at whether or not the motorplex proposition can be supported. It would be another fantastic commercial development down at the port which would create jobs, economic activity and excitement for the port, which is much needed.

I think this 401^st report signals that the government and opposition all agree that the area in the vicinity of Grand Trunkway—this site that was once the site of a multifunctionpolis and land adjacent to it—is ripe for development. It is ripe for development; that is why we agree with this report and look forward to the construction commencing, but why we also appeal to the government to look at doing all that it can to see a motorplex constructed down at the site as well. We are happy to work with the government and the proponents in a bipartisan way to see that come to fruition.

I just signal that I know there has been a political campaign run by the motorplex proponents up to this point. I think there is an opportunity for us all to put the past behind us, if you like, now that it appears the door is open.

I can signal to the house that the message I have sent to the proponents is that they should do all that they can to work constructively with the government on their proposition and that we would be happy, if the government is happy to work constructively with them, to do what we can to assist as well, to put the politics aside and get on with looking at whether or not we can develop the site. That is a genuine offer and I would certainly be prepared to recommend that on our side of the house if we can go forward, because this is an area that needs development. It is wasteland at the moment. We agree with this report and look forward to seeing the construction commence.

Motion carried.