North Terrace Lighting Project

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Housing and Urban Development. Minister, can you inform the house about recent lighting developments along North Terrace?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:44): This government is serious about its commitment to improving South Australia's premier cultural boulevard, North Terrace. North Terrace is a unique boulevard, with many important state institutions located there. The Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum, the State Library and the University of Adelaide are amongst many other heritage buildings lining the boulevard.

Of course, there is a lot of development which is occurring in the vicinity of North Terrace as well. As well as the massive investments that are occurring in the city, both at the western end and in the central part, and soon to be in the eastern end of North Terrace, we shouldn't forget that sometimes it's the little things that can add atmosphere to a city.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: The deputy leader nearly has it accurate. Ninety-eight trees will be illuminated on the northern side of North Terrace, between King William Street and East Terrace. An outburst of light will emanate from our premier boulevard. The trees will use bud lights and will spread outwards along main branches and encircle the trunks of the trees.

The lighting project has two functions: not only will they look good on the trees, forming a pattern along North Terrace, but they will also act as better lighting for pedestrian safety. To add to these 98 trees, two very large trees outside the University of Adelaide's Bonython Hall will be utilising solar lights as a trial to gauge the viability for future lighting projects. The trial commitment is supported by the University of Adelaide, the state government and the City of Adelaide and is part of the Carbon Neutral Adelaide commitment.

I can advise the house that through a competitive tender process for the design of the lighting, and to manage the project, two firms have been selected: Deadshort Electrical, a family-owned Adelaide business, which has been around for approximately 25 years, and engineering consulting firm Bestec.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Those opposite might want to mock South Australian family-owned businesses: we are interested in giving them work. Renewal SA are delivering the $380,000 project—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —funded through the Riverbank Authority—

The SPEAKER: The member for Elder is called to order.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —and the Capital City Committee. This lighting project is the latest in a series of enhancements throughout the city.

In December last year, between King William and Morphett Street 44 trees along a 660-metre stretch were lit up, and it made a big difference to the northern side of the Torrens. Installed by local firm Rawson Electrical and lights supplied by local firm Buckford Illumination, and Inlite, it demonstrates this government's support for locally based businesses to participate in these city projects.

This government has also supported major projects, which bring much pride and life back into the precinct, such as the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk along Kintore Avenue, and of course the soon to be installed new tram stops along North Terrace. North Terrace will be the link from our emerging health and biomedical precinct to our entertainment, educational and cultural precincts. As part of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital activation of the site, the heritage buildings along North Terrace will also be lit up. The light installations will be activated from September onwards, with coloured lighting of the North Terrace building facades.

As I said, it's often the little things that can make a big difference to people's enjoyment of a precinct, and these little bud lights on these 98 trees will make a big difference to the life of this city. It's one further effort where this North Terrace lighting project is contributing to a world-class precinct linking the Adelaide Riverbank.