Ministerial Statement

South East Forestry Partnerships Program

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: The South East Forestry Partnerships Program was a $27 million initiative of the South Australian government to support the forest and wood products industry in the South-East by encouraging further investment in new and existing businesses. Three phases of the South East Forestry Partnerships Program have been progressed and the government has announced support for projects worth more than $79 million. However, with the decision by two recipients from round 2 of the program not to proceed with planned projects, $2.95 million of funding is not currently allocated to active projects.

Given there have now been three attempts by the South East Forestry Partnerships Program to acquit all funds, the government has examined what other options could support jobs and the broader economy in the South-East, as well as the development of the forest and wood products industry. One outstanding project which would support jobs and growth in the South-East is the upgrade of Mount Gambier Airport.

This issue has been continually raised with various ministers and the Premier by regional leaders and community members, including during the November 2015 Limestone Coast community cabinet. It is a project proposed by the District Council of Grant, which owns and operates the airport. I know and acknowledge that the member for Mount Gambier has also been a strong advocate for an upgrade of the airport. The government will now allocate the residual the South East Forestry Partnerships Program funds of $2.95 million towards the staged upgrade of the airport.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I can't hear the minister.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: The upgrade will cater for larger aircraft and pave the way for additional services with more passengers and freight. The airport is currently serviced by one commercial airline with flights to and from Adelaide and Melbourne, as well as charter flights. It will help boost visitor numbers to the region, which will provide a shot in the arm for the region, and create more jobs. The upgraded airport will also help the region's growing tourism industry, which has enormous potential. In the 12 months to March 2016, an estimated 46,000 international visitors travelled to the South-East, staying 205,000 nights, according to the latest international visitor survey results.

During the same period, the Limestone Coast recorded an estimated 523,000 visits and 1.625 million nights from a record 5.95 million total domestic visitors to South Australia for the 12 months to March 2016. Expenditure by domestic and international tourists has grown by 16 per cent in the region during the past 10 years, directly employing an estimated 1,800 people in the tourism industry in the Limestone Coast.

The airport is also the region's firebombing and Royal Flying Doctor Service base, and the upgrade includes an improved firebomb apron with lighting and an additional water fill point. The potential to improve the capacity to fight fires in Australia's most important commercial forests will be an enormous benefit to the South-East and this valuable industry.

The South East Forestry Partnerships Program was always intended to support projects which would make a real difference for the South-East, and I believe this contribution to the upgrade of the Mount Gambier Airport will do just that. I would like to congratulate Mayor Richard Sage, from the District Council of Grant, on his leadership and I trust the $2.95 million will be a valuable start to this exciting project.