ZERO WASTE GRANTS PROGRAM

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (15:22): I am pleased to be asking what will probably be the last question on this historic day, but not to either of our departing heroes. My question is to the Minister for Environment and Conservation. What assistance has the government provided to the resource recovery industry to help them manage the increasing amount of material recovered for recycling?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water) (15:22): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Thank you, Iain. I thank the honourable member for her very important question. Of course, I am pleased to announce the next funding call of $1.5 million for the Zero Waste SA 2012-13 Metropolitan Infrastructure Grants program. I want to put this into context as well. Many speakers have noted before me, in answering questions today, the transformation of South Australia in so many aspects since the Rann government took office. This is another area where we have become national and hence international leaders in many aspects of managing our environment.

The Recycling Industry Investment Review, completed in 2009, indicated that resource recovery in South Australia is expected to increase by over 600,000 tonnes (20 per cent) by 2020. The government, through Zero Waste SA, has provided significant assistance to the resource recovery industry since 2004 to help them deal with the increasing amount of material being recovered for recycling.

In 2010, the government committed to providing $7.3 million over four years for investment in key waste infrastructure across South Australia in order to continue the improvement of our state's waste infrastructure and capacity to reprocess recyclable material. Over the past year, the state government has significantly progressed this commitment by awarding $3.2 million for 27 projects under two Zero Waste SA programs: the Metropolitan Infrastructure Program and the Regional Implementation Program. These projects were awarded funding for new or improved transfer stations, recycling facilities in rural areas, improved facilities for handling electronic waste, baling equipment, and a new oil waste recycling facility. I could go on and on, and I know the opposition would like to hear more about this particular subject.

What I can say is that we are seeking further applications from the resource recovery industry for funding under the Metropolitan Infrastructure Program, and $1.5 million will be made available under the program to encourage applications for infrastructure projects that target a range of waste materials, including, importantly, the next challenge to this country and, indeed, the planet—how we manage e-waste. Of course, it will include tyres, white goods, fluorescent lighting (or other lighting that contains mercury), vehicles, plasterboard, carpet, leather, textile, or other problematic waste. This investment is a critical factor in encouraging the further recovery of resources as South Australians work towards our target of reducing waste to landfill by 35 per cent by 2020.

Whilst I am on my feet, this is the last question that has been asked during the premiership of Mike Rann and I acknowledge the outstanding contribution that has been made by him and Kevin Foley. I too want to express my gratitude with respect to the role that they have played for this state and on behalf of the people of South Australia. It has been an absolute privilege for me to be a member of the Rann cabinet and to work closely with Kevin Foley.

I look at the areas in which I have been involved with respect to my portfolio responsibilities. In training, further education and higher education, I see the advances we made in those areas in regard to, amongst other things, international students, and in creating Adelaide to be a centre of learning and an international centre of learning.

Through to my current portfolio—I will miss the many in between—of environment and conservation, I see the advances we have made with respect to the way in which we manage our environment. Just by way of interest, when we introduced, back in 1991 or 1992, I think it was, the Wilderness Protection Act, by the time we came to lose office in 1993, I think 70,000 hectares were placed under this highest level of protection.

More importantly, during the time that we were in opposition, until 2002, it is safe to say that not one square metre was added to wilderness protection during that period of time. Since resuming office in 2002, and with the proclamation of the Nullarbor wilderness area, we will take that up to 1.8 million hectares.

So, I just want to conclude by saying it has been an absolute pleasure to be a member of the Rann government. History will reflect very, very well on the contributions made by Mike and Kevin during their time as leaders of what has been a very cohesive, disciplined and hardworking team. I look forward to the future with great optimism. Jay will make an outstanding premier, but I also look back to the past with a great deal of pride.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The SPEAKER: I think, minister, you echo all our feelings. We will miss you greatly, Premier, from a state level and very much on a personal level. Thank you for the years we have served with you.