PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: ETHELTON WASTEWATER PUMP STATION RENEWAL PROJECT

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (11:44): Thank you, sir, and I hope this one is not as controversial as the last one. I move:

That the 487^th report of the committee, entitled Ethelton Wastewater Pump Station Renewal Project, be noted.

The primary objective of the project is to maintain the current service standard of the network. In particular, the options developed seek to:

meet original design life of structure;

provide security for the existing sewerage network by providing sufficient pumping capacity to match design life of the structure;

provide sufficient availability/reliability to meet criticality rating of the asset;

ensure asset complies with current OH&S and EPA regulation; and

implement an odour control plant.

SA Water proposed that, due to its age, the infrastructure needed the following work:

a mechanical and electrical upgrade for the existing building;

construction of a new switchboard building;

installation of an odour control plant to address odour issues;

new driveway with new entry and exit point to Bower Road;

new security fencing; and

site landscaping using native plants.

The total project cost is $6.915 million. The project will address the key risks associated with the ongoing operation of the pump station. This shall provide security to the existing wastewater network, support future growth and development in the Lefevre Peninsula, meet OH&S compliance and address odour related concerns from local residents. The project will be completed by January 2016. Given this and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (11:46): The opposition is delighted to support this motion. As my honourable friend has pointed out, it is critical work for a number of reasons. The existing mechanical and electrical infrastructure within the building is poor and it presents a high risk of network overflow. There is a history of odour concerns from local residents. There are a number of work health and safety-related concerns that exist with the operation of the old pump station, and to support future growth and development across Lefevre in line with the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, it will be needed.

There is no-one who cares more about the needs of the west and the Port Adelaide area than those on this side of the house. That is why it is very important infrastructure. It is $7 million of the taxpayers' money, but I note that recent clean-out works within the wet well removed 27 tonnes of grit. Basically, this infrastructure is falling apart and it needs to be fixed. It probably should have been fixed sooner. If the state government was not in such a financial mess with the highest deficit we have ever had and extraordinary debt levels perhaps it would have been done sooner, but at least the project is now before us. We can get on with it and keep things flowing, as we say. With that, I support the motion.

Motion carried.