River Murray Safety Campaign

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (14:28): My question is to the Minister—

Dr McFetridge interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morphett is warned.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Thank you, sir. My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Can the minister inform the house of the new safety campaign for Murray River users that will be launched tomorrow?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:28): I thank the member for Colton for his question but, to be honest, the real thanks for this should go to the member for Hammond because, without his sustained and well-made campaign to see this through, this initiative would not be happening.

As the member for Colton said, tomorrow a safety campaign will be launched for recreation on the River Murray. The campaign is as a result of a grassroots effort from the River Murray Boating and Recreation Advisory Group (or RMBRAG, as they are known) to reflect community sentiment about the kind of behaviour they want to see out on the river.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is on two warnings.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: RMBRAG is made up of representatives from government and regional agencies, waterskiing and wakeboard groups, industry association members, but most of all, members of the many river communities. RMBRAG took the initiative, through the member for Hammond, to develop a survey which had over 400 respondents, most of whom used the river for over 35 days per year, with the survey identifying a number of common concerns around boating behaviour on the river. RMBRAG told me—and the member for Hammond reiterated this—that there is an overwhelming sentiment from the survey respondents that a campaign of 'educate, not regulate' was required with regard to this behaviour.

RMBRAG has been developing a strategy and presenting the plan and campaign approach that is to be launched tomorrow. I reiterate again and commend the member for Hammond for recognising this idea in his local community and pursuing it with the government. A key pillar of the strategy by RMBRAG is an innovative social media approach to target the key demographic groups of river users. The argument, quite frankly, was immediately compelling from the member for Hammond and from RMBRAG. Subsequently, we were able to provide grant funding of $20,000 to RMBRAG to make the campaign possible.

The campaign uses various media platforms to feature videos, as well as more traditional methods such as better signage at boat ramps to drive home key safety messages for river users. Presented by wakeboarding champion and Riverland local Bec Gange, the first three videos to be released as part of the campaign will feature safety messages on:

location—encouraging river users, particularly of larger vessels making wash, to keep away from populated areas and other vessels, minimising wash impact;

jet skis—the campaign video provides advice about not operating near other vessels, riders and skiers, not to jump the wash and general handling advice; and

life jackets—encouraging river users, especially children, to wear life jackets in or near the river.

Having fun on the water should never come at the expense of safety. I encourage anyone thinking about taking the boat or jet ski out on the river this weekend to look at the hashtag #murrayriverlife and the campaign there first. People are encouraged to view and share the videos via the Murray River Life Facebook page and share their own experiences of the river under that hashtag #murrayriverlife. Chair of RMBRAG Adam Bruce told me he is thrilled to see the campaign launch just in time for the long weekend.

A code of conduct has also been advised by RMBRAG, in conjunction with the Boating Industry Association and Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, which guides river users on the safe way to operate vessels when undertaking activities like water-skiing, riding and tubing. RMBRAG is hoping to have a significant number of high-profile groups, such as boat rental businesses, rental shacks and houseboats, skiing and wakeboarding groups, promote the code of conduct that has been developed. This campaign is a great example of how a local community and a local member working together with the government can bring about a great outcome on the River Murray. Once again, I thank the member for Hammond for his efforts.

The SPEAKER: Would the member for Chaffey please approach the chair. The member for Unley.