Lake Alexandrina

Mr GEE (Napier) (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Can the minister update the house on the marine infrastructure at Lake Alexandrina?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:58): Can I thank the member for Napier for his interest in this matter. The state government has got a strong commitment when it comes to providing the public with a safe and enjoyable marine environment. We have some of the most pristine coastal waters in Australia and very precious inland navigable waterways, including the River Murray. But maintaining infrastructure to assist boat operators in navigating safely along the river and Lower Lakes has been challenging in recent years, particularly due to the drought. The drought on the River Murray and the associated low water levels required the installation of many temporary channel markers to ensure the safety of boaters was maintained, particularly in areas below Lock 1.

During this time, several new permanent markers were installed and many existing ones were realigned in areas where movements and changes to the riverbed had occurred. Further to this, temporary buoyage was installed by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure marine safety officers to supplement existing buoyage following hydrographic surveys, which indicated the areas of best depth.

It is not just the drought which causes challenging conditions for these navigation markers. Strong winds and associated rough river, lake and sea conditions in South Australia cause deterioration of structures, damage to mooring equipment and also to electrical installations where they are installed on navigation markers. Even those that are installed on land are subject to high moisture and salt-laden environments, which necessitate frequent repair and maintenance schedules.

So, as part of our continued efforts in improving navigational safety, I am pleased to advise the house that the state government recently invested $340,000 to upgrade 13 channel markers in Lake Alexandrina. Nine existing unlit channel markers were replaced with new lit markers, and new navigational lights were also provided on two existing channel markers between Clayton and Wellington. Further to this—and I am sure this is something the member for Hammond will be interested in—the channel marker near the Milang jetty was upgraded and replaced with a new marker, which was installed approximately halfway between Milang and channel marker 90.

I am pleased to advise the house that all the new channel markers consist of a larger and taller steel pile; a platform; a ladder; day mark and light, which will significantly improve navigation in Lake Alexandrina due to their improved visibility both night and day; and, where possible, all new navigational aids consist of energy efficient automatic solar LED lighting. In addition to these upgrades in Lake Alexandrina, the state government has also invested $1.14 million from the facilities fund to upgrade channel markers at Coffin Bay, Port Germein and the Barker Inlet this financial year.

It is proposed that further upgrades will take place next financial year on channel markers located at Streaky Bay, Venus Bay and the Port Augusta south channel. These are good examples of how the state government is working to improve the safety of our marine environment, which in turn encourages more people to get out and enjoy our pristine waterways and, most importantly, feel safe when doing so.