PORT PIRIE

Mr BROCK (Frome) (15:39): I would like to talk today about one of the ways that Port Pirie is attempting to promote and encourage employment growth opportunities in the region. Since being elected to this position, I have facilitated at regular monthly meetings with the major key stakeholders in the city, being Regional Development Australia Yorke & Mid North, the Port Pirie Regional Council and the federal member for Grey. These meetings are very beneficial as all major players talk and communicate information that we all share, and move in one direction, not in different directions.

On 14 May 2012, after many meetings between the above key stakeholders, a public meeting was held inviting interested persons from Port Pirie and the region to participate in a community consultation looking at strategic priorities for the growth of Port Pirie. This meeting was attended by well in excess of 120 people and from this forum many ideas and suggestions for progressing the strategic direction of growth opportunities in Port Pirie were forthcoming. These ideas included looking at improved facilities and capability of the Port Pirie Airport and duplication or expansion of the current natural gas pipeline from Whyte Yarcowie leading into Port Pirie. This pipeline does not allow for the adequate growth of industries because the amount of gas coming through that natural pipeline is insufficient.

The group looked at further opportunities to maintain and assist the existing industries operating in our community whilst at the same time actively promoting the assets and the attractions that the city and the region already has. At the meeting last night we looked at private, public and tertiary educational opportunities and opportunities for our youth to stay in the region.

Skills training is a very important part of the future growth opportunities not only for Port Pirie and the region but for the whole state, and it is very high on the list for us to pursue. Also of importance is regional health (which all agreed last night was the best outside of Adelaide), recreational facilities and the need to consolidate and ensure that we have the best facilities for our youth to excel in their relevant sports.

We also looked at various opportunities to improve the entrance to the city, bearing in mind that Port Pirie has three major entrances to maintain. This is a challenge not only with regard to the cost factor and the improvements required at these entrances but also the challenge of the Native Vegetation Act which we may have some issues with.

The group last night looked at various opportunities to facilitate export of the ever-increasing resource minerals that are coming from all directions outside the city. This opportunity was looked at with a view to not imposing on the existing scenery of the waterfront and the Southern Flinders Ranges.

Whilst the community wholeheartedly endorse the prospects for employment opportunities, they were all in agreement to retain our historical heritage given the unique character of the city and the regions. Port Pirie has many heritage buildings which are unique and they need to be maintained and promoted. The main street of Port Pirie has the uniqueness of following the contour of the Port Pirie River which is only a stone's throw from the CBD.

From this small but very dedicated group of people it was obvious that they were all very enthusiastic about our opportunities. Even though the city has been promised so much but received little over many years, they still had a very optimistic attitude and were determined to promote the city and the region with all its attractions, using all their endeavours. It was also strongly supported that Port Pirie needs to work with the surrounding rural townships to enable us to survive the challenges. It was also highlighted that we all need to work together. Whether we are local, state, federal, or wherever we may be, we all have one thing in common: the future growth of our communities.

Port Pirie is ideally placed to take advantage of the mining and renewable sectors, as well as servicing the agriculture sector. The greatest asset that Port Pirie and the region has is its people: they are very resilient and very proud.