Mount Barker, Littlehampton and Nairne Strategic Infrastructure Plan

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Can the minister inform the house about the announcement of a Mount Barker, Littlehampton and Nairne Strategic Infrastructure Plan and the work that has occurred to produce this plan?

Ms Chapman: Yes, close the court at Mount Barker.

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned for the second and final time. The Deputy Premier.

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:53): On the weekend I had the pleasure of joining my cabinet colleagues in Mount Barker.

Mr Pederick: It's a long drive!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: It was a long drive, but being there gave me another opportunity to meet with representatives of the Mount Barker council, the members and staff of which have worked very closely with the government over the last couple of years to plan for growth in this very important region. Can I mention as an aside, Mr Speaker, that in something of an eerie echo of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, during the course of our public meeting a huge smiling image of the member for Kavel looked down upon us like the billboard with the all-seeing glasses of Dr Eckleburg.

For those of you who have not been to the Mount Barker sports facility, there is an enormous image of the member for Kavel. We found that, whichever part of the room we moved to, he continued to follow us with those all-seeing eyes, and the mysterious smile. What was he thinking? He kept his own counsel on that day.

Anyway, back to the story. As members may be aware, Mount Barker has one of the highest population growth rates of noncoastal towns within Australia. This demand for growth in the area creates a need to identify where people will go and what they will need to ensure that we are creating the great neighbourhoods we need for new residents.

On the weekend, the government, in partnership with the council of Mount Barker, launched the Mount Barker, Littlehampton and Nairne Strategic Infrastructure Plan. This plan outlines infrastructure required to support demand for growth within the area. The close cooperation between the government and the district council has identified issues and helped to work through these concerns, leading to this clear vision for the future.

Mr KNOLL: Point of order, Mr Speaker. On my computer, a copy of a press release which was put out on Sunday and which is entitled 'Infrastructure Plan for Mount Barker' discusses very much what the Attorney-General is talking about right now.

The SPEAKER: Can the Deputy Premier assure me that the material he is giving to the house does not duplicate in any way the news release?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I can say absolutely definitely, Mr Speaker, that, for instance, some of the new material, such as the material about the member for Kavel, is completely new. It might be—

The SPEAKER: Proceed.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Thank you. The plan includes information on the planning and provision of transport, power, education, cultural and community facilities, as well as health, recreation and open spaces. I am advised that work will start on the first of the new growth areas, Ashton Hills, incorporating an expansive network of linear trails, green spaces, and a village centre with a range of shops and services, including a new school site. The plan has—

Mr KNOLL: Mr Speaker, he is reading word for word from the press release from Sunday.

The SPEAKER: Bearing in mind the existence of the Privileges Committee, can the Deputy Premier assure me that he is not reading word for word from the news release?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: At this point, Mr Speaker, perhaps not. But I can say that my answer was entirely original, having regard to the very important additional material at the beginning regarding the member for Kavel.

Ms CHAPMAN: Supplementary, if I may, sir.

The SPEAKER: Do you want to hear the rest of the news release? The member for Bragg.