State Emergency Service

Ms VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Can the minister advise the house about the State Emergency Service's responses to floods that occurred in early November, particularly around Kapunda?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:31): I thank the member for her question and I also acknowledge her support for emergency services in her electorate but also her moving the motion for Wear Orange Wednesday in this place. I would like to note today that it is Wear Orange to Work Day. Today we recognise and show support for the wonderful work performed by the State Emergency Service's 1,660 volunteers. I would like to acknowledge and thank all the members in this place today who are wearing orange in support of those volunteers. I do that for both sides of the house.

I was proud to be invited recently to join the Edinburgh SES unit at the Gawler Village fair on their volunteer recruitment drive. In late October, it was my pleasure to visit the volunteers at the SES unit at Kapunda during country cabinet. The people I met were without exception dedicated and passionate about protecting their community. Approximately one week after my visit, South Australia experienced several large bands of rain that caused significant flooding in several regions. One of the worst hit was the town of Kapunda.

When I heard about the conditions and the flooding in Kapunda, I was naturally concerned not only as Minister for Emergency Services but also for the member for Stuart and for Kapunda's proximity to my electorate. However, having met the volunteers from the Kapunda unit just a week earlier, I was comforted to know that they would be mobilising and doing their best, and coming to the community's aid. By all accounts, I was correct. The SES volunteers worked tirelessly to protect homes and property from flooding and responded to many calls for assistance. The event also caused localised flooding in a number of communities including Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Burra, Jamestown, Meningie, Port Pirie, Moonta, Kadina and Wallaroo.

A number of homes and businesses were affected by strong winds and floodwaters. Units across the state came to the community's aid. SES crews responded to approximately 300 calls across the state. To all of the SES volunteers who responded, thank you for your wonderful efforts from both the government and the community of South Australia. The SES received excellent support from the CFS, MFS, the Bureau of Meteorology and SAPOL, as well as DEWNR staff and local councils across the state. SES staff also worked tirelessly to ensure the community was prepared. I would also like to extend my appreciation to chief officer Chris Beattie for the way he managed the situation.