Colton Electorate

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (15:25): I consider it a great honour and privilege to have represented the wonderful people of Colton in this place for the past 14 years—and there is one of my constituents up there in Hansard. It is a fabulous—

Dr McFetridge interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: At least I won't get knocked off, Duncan. It is a fabulous electorate, and I have been heard to say in the past, and I will say it again—

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am on my feet. While it is fine to have some audible giggling, interjections are not going to be tolerated. He is entitled to be heard in silence.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Thank you, ma'am. As I was saying, it is a fabulous electorate, and I have been heard to say in the past, and I will say it here again today, that we in the western suburbs live in the best part of the best city in the best state in the best country in the world. I might be called biased or parochial, but I believe this to be true.

In Colton, primarily a residential electorate, we have the suburbs of Fulham, Fulham Gardens, Kidman Park, Grange, Henley Beach, Henley Beach South, part of Seaton, and part of Lockleys. These are highly sought-after suburbs, and this can be evidenced by the significant increase in house prices since the time I have been in this place. And why wouldn't this area be exactly that? It is close to the city, close to the beach, great beaches (beaches with a little less sand at this point in time than they had a week ago, but still great beaches), great schools and sporting and community organisations.

Mr Duluk interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Davenport is called to order.

The Hon. P. CAICA: One of the most beautiful streets among the many in my electorate is East Terrace, Henley Beach, which runs between Henley Beach Road and Grange Road, not far from our beaches. It is for at least half of it a street tree-lined with old Norfolk Island pines. It is also a precinct determined by the City of Charles Sturt council as a local residential heritage zone. This of course, and quite rightly so, has certain restrictions on development, given the nature of this precinct.

Recently, many of my constituents living in and around this precinct were advised by the City of Charles Sturt council that a category 3 application for development had been submitted for the construction of a 35-metre phone tower on the grounds of the old Telecom exchange site located on East Terrace at the corner of Durham Street, currently owned by the Telstra Corporation.

It is safe to say that my office and I have been swamped by people expressing grave concerns about this proposed development, and that is I think quite rightly so. This proposed development, 35 metres in height, is not appropriate for this area. Whilst I know that this type of infrastructure is needed, I also know and accept that wherever phone towers are placed they are often controversial. This proposed development smack bang in the middle of a local heritage zone is, in my view, not only inappropriate, as I said, but also a most ridiculous proposal. Quite frankly, what on earth is Telstra thinking?

Interestingly, I met with Telstra some time ago, which I appreciated, regarding possible and proposed locations for a similar structure in the Grange area. I worked through this methodically with the Telstra representatives with whom I met, provided answers to the questions they asked, and in fact I believe we all found this to be a productive meeting. So, I was quite surprised, when a week or so ago I received, along with many others, this development application via the Charles Sturt council without there being, as there had been previously, any discussions with Telstra before it submitted this particular application.

I wish that Telstra's representatives had sounded me out because I would have informed them that such an application for this type of development in this area is inappropriate, quite ridiculous, and that they should expect a God-almighty fight. I would have also informed them that they should be investigating alternative sites that are more appropriate and far less intrusive. I could have even provided them with alternative sites for them to investigate.

The number of objections that are being lodged is unprecedented, in my memory. I know that all those people who are objecting are seeking an audience before the council's DAP, but also many of them are seeking to meet with Telstra, as I have in my application of objection. My constituents are well-considered people. They are not driven to anger very easily, but when called to action I say, 'Watch out'.

Some of the concerns they have expressed are not only about the amenity and the loss of amenity through such a ridiculous structure, but also they are expressing concerns about the dangers associated, or believed to be associated, with phone towers. From my perspective, I think the jury is out and we probably will not know for a generation or so whether or not there are any health dangers associated with it but, notwithstanding that, it is a genuine concern of my electors and, as such, a genuine concern for me.

I am also pleased to report that the local candidate for Hindmarsh, Steve Georganas, is also involving himself in this particular matter and that he is working with his former—

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order.

The Hon. P. CAICA: —colleagues and hopefully his—

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Chaffey.

The Hon. P. CAICA: —colleagues after the next election, and I appreciate his involvement as well. It was alright for the member for 'whatever it is called' over there to say something about Ms Flint, but not alright for me to say that.

Time expired.

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!