Ministerial Statement

RIVERBANK AUTHORITY

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: The state government has invested more than $2.5 billion in projects to transform Adelaide's Riverbank Precinct. These projects include the modernisation of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Convention Centre, the Adelaide Oval and the footbridge. They will collectively play a significant role in the future of our capital city and our state. But they will not act alone. They will interact with each other, and with the many projects that will be supported through private investment in the precinct. They will also play a central role in the Greater Riverbank Master Plan, running all the way from Gilberton to Bowden with a range of connections and linkages.

This is a transformational endeavour, creating a layered and vibrant grand central park and cultural precinct in our city. For precincts of this nature to reach their full potential, they require a formal governance structure. Acting on a recommendation from the Economic Development Board, today I have announced just that. We will establish a statutory Riverbank authority that will have the responsibility to coordinate development and further investment in the Riverbank Precinct, as well as facilitate events.

There are a number of key partners involved in or using the Riverbank Precinct. These range from the Adelaide City Council to private businesses, cultural groups and authorities. The new Riverbank authority will sit outside of government agencies to oversee the precinct's development and use and ensure coordination between the multiple interests in the precinct. The authority will also be tasked with promoting the precinct as a tourist destination.

Legislation will be required to underpin the authority's work but, before bringing that to parliament, we will consult with local government and non-government agencies on how the authority will work. There are successful models in place from which this process will gain valuable insights. These include the City of Melbourne's Docklands and the South Bank Corporation established in Queensland in 1989. The South Bank Corporation has functioned for nearly 25 years and has delivered Brisbane's iconic South Bank precinct. In the interim, we have already established a coordinating committee, led by Events SA and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, to collaboratively curate events in the Riverbank Precinct.

A little earlier today, I was at Adelaide Oval watching the new cricket pitches being laid into place. I was able to gaze back towards the Riverbank over all of the work that is being undertaken; it is no doubt an exciting view. Establishing an authority to oversee all of this development will help ensure that the Riverbank becomes Adelaide's great sporting, cultural, entertainment and leisure precinct.