South Australian River Murray Sustainability Irrigation Industry Improvement Program

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (15:01): Can the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries inform the house about round 2 of the South Australian River Murray Sustainability Irrigation Industry Improvement Program?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (15:01): Back in July, the Premier, Senator Simon Birmingham and I launched the first projects in the $100 million South Australian River Murray Sustainability Irrigation Industry Improvement Program (3IP). I am pleased to let the house know that next Monday we will open the second stage of grants for that program, that is, $140 million worth of projects.

This $240 million project is making a huge difference to people right along the River Murray. I want to thank the member for Chaffey and the member for Hammond for the work they have done at a local level to help promote this very good scheme. It is not very often that any region in South Australia gets $240 million pumped into it—

Mr Whetstone: Don't forget to hand over the water licences.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: That is it, 40 gigalitres of water will be returned. This is what the Premier went in to fight really hard for a few years ago, that is, to make sure that we had the Rolls Royce scheme set up here in South Australia. We know others were saying that we could make do with a Mazda, but I want to congratulate the Premier for sticking to his guns and what we have is a fantastic scheme to help people right along the River Murray in South Australia.

Already, we are seeing people who have got their first bit of money put up proposals to reduce the amount of water they use and increase their efficiency. They may be changing grape varieties or they may be changing from one particular fruit to another that makes more sense. It is bringing about a great deal of change, and it has been terrific to see the way people have been willing to put up their hands and come up with some really good ideas and be part of that change, because the Riverland is a really important part of our economy in South Australia. It produces some amazing things for not just local consumption but also national and, indeed, international consumption.

Next Monday, we will be releasing the details of this latest round, as I said worth $140 million. Information sessions will be held at Loxton, Renmark, Waikerie, Berri, Murray Bridge and Langhorne Creek. People who come along will be provided with a detailed explanation of the guidelines and an opportunity to speak with 3IP regional support officers. Expressions of interest will close at 5pm on Friday 17 October 2014.

I want to take this opportunity to put on the record our thanks to Senator Simon Birmingham for the work we have been able to do with the commonwealth. It has been terrific to see both levels of government working closely together for the benefit of not just those people along the River Murray but everyone in South Australia who benefits from the extra economic activity and the reduction in water being taken from the Murray River.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary, member for Chaffey.