Regional Airports

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (14:26): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Can the minister update the house on any assistance being provided by the South Australian government towards our regional airport facilities?

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is warned. Minister.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:26): I thank the member for Giles for his question. Airports are critical infrastructure for many regional and remote communities in South Australia. They are not only used to fly in goods and services but they can be central to many tourism operations as well as, of course, medical and emergency services. That is why I am pleased to update the house and announce that the state government has allocated $1 million to support the delivery of priority infrastructure upgrades to regional airports during the current financial year.

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will be managing this initiative and has opened up the application process for a share of this funding of $1 million as part of the new support regional aviation initiative. A master planning process was completed earlier this year for 19 regulated regional airports which identified future development opportunities at these facilities to further service the needs of their communities.

Owners and/or operators of existing regulated airports and aerodromes in regional South Australia can apply for a share of the funding to undertake priority upgrades. The primary purpose of this initiative is to:

improve the airport-aerodrome network;

conform to current regulatory requirements;

accommodate changing airline fleets;

support the growth of regional aviation markets; and

deliver regional, economic and social benefits through improved air services.

Owners and operators of regulated airports and aerodromes in regional areas in South Australia can apply for a share of funding for upgrades such as resealing runways, taxiways and aprons; upgrading fencing; replacing lighting; and extending and upgrading terminal facilities.

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure is writing to the relevant councils and the Outback Communities Authority to seek applications for funding, and I encourage those eligible to apply for a share of this funding which I understand will go a long way to improving infrastructure upgrades in regional airports. Applications are now open and will close on 11 November this year.

This initiative is in addition to more than $10 million of state government investments in major upgrades for regional airports. As members may be aware—certainly, the member for Finniss would be aware—the state government is funding half of the $18 million upgrade for the Kangaroo Island airport which will enable larger passenger planes to land on the island. The Kangaroo Island airport upgrade project includes lengthening and strengthening the runway, improving the taxiway and apron areas, and an upgrade to the existing terminal to accommodate direct flights from other capital cities in Australia using larger aircraft.

We also delivered a $1.3 million upgrade of the Coober Pedy Airport just last year and, further, the Minister for Tourism has announced an investment of just under $3 million towards the upgrade of the Mount Gambier Airport—a very important project.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell: Good for Glencoe.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It is good for that important community, to the Minister for Tourism. While I am on the topic of improving aviation services, it is important to draw the house's attention to a rather unfortunate development.

Just as recently as last week, I was contacted by a concerned worker of our soon to be lost Adelaide air traffic control terminal unit located at the Adelaide Airport, whose job, along with 42 of his other colleagues, will be shifted to Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport. This move was announced by the then federal minister for transport, and it had been announced before the requisite safety case had been undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority. I would urge all members to join with this government and the federal member for Hindmarsh in condemning this move.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned for the second and final time. Leader.