Planning and Development Fund

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Minister, can you update the house on how the government is encouraging the development of open spaces within our community?

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, Minister for Child Protection Reform) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for her question. Yes, I can provide some information on this very important question. The Open Spaces and Places for People grant programs operate under the Planning and Development Fund.

Mr Marshall: You said you were going to do up the Parklands—four separate programs, remember? You announced that in 2013.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: That is true.

Mr Marshall: How's that going?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Very, very well. The Leader of the Opposition will be absolutely delighted with the outcome, and I am happy to share it with him in due course. The grant provides financial assistance to local government for the purchase, planning and enhancement of public open spaces. Councils throughout the state are invited to apply for a grant funding eligible projects under the process. Applications are now open until 29 January—29 January, everybody—and the funding programs are well subscribed by councils. Approximately 60 funding applications are received each year.

Since July 2002, the government has provided approximately $125 million in P&D grants to over 675 local government open space and public realm projects. Recently, the member for Elder opened the Oaklands Recreation Plaza on my behalf. This project has been undertaken by the City of Marion as part of the wider transformation of the former Oaklands Park driver development centre. P&D funds totalling $900,000 were provided towards the development of a landscaped plaza which has been designed to provide recreational facilities for a range of uses. The project complements the adjacent Sturt River Linear Park, which also has ongoing support from the P&D fund. Another significant project which the government supported is the St Kilda Playground.

Ms Vlahos: Magnificent.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: That's right. In 2014, there was a grant of over $1 million provided to the City of Salisbury for the total redevelopment of the playground. I was there with the member for Taylor, I recall, looking at that. It was a bit of a warm day that day, I recall.

Ms Vlahos interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Taylor is warned.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: The first stages of the project have now been completed, with the council currently finalising the remaining play elements. Open spaces such as plazas, parks and playgrounds are critical components of community infrastructure in areas of both low and high density. The government welcomes further projects such as these in the next round of grant applications.