Natural Disaster Recovery Assistance

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:10): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: On 25 November 2015, the Pinery fire inflicted terrible losses on the affected region—most significantly, the tragic loss of the lives of two members of the community, Allan Tiller and Janet Hughes, and some 31 people injured, five of them very seriously. The fire burnt across 82,600 hectares of land, destroyed 97 houses and damaged a further 49. The fire destroyed or significantly damaged 546 sheds and outbuildings, 413 vehicles and pieces of machinery, and some 18,000 sheep were confirmed lost, along with 600 other stock and 54,000 poultry. Approximately $30 million of crops, hay and paddock feed were destroyed. Insurance claims totalled $172 million.

Numerous community members and organisations immediately set about helping those affected. However, it was clear from the outset that support in coordination of recovery initiatives and resources would be required. For 19 months after the event occurred, the state government provided coordination through the State Recovery Committee, the State Recovery Coordinator, the State Recovery Office and Housing SA's Emergency Management Unit.

On 30 June 2017, my role as duty minister and the formal state-coordinated arrangements for the Pinery bushfire both concluded. The recovery centre has ceased operations as demand for face-to-face services declined to the extent that alternative contact methods became appropriate. In addition, the Local Recovery Coordinator, Mr Alex Zimmerman, completed his role on 30 June, and I am advised that his report on recovery following the fire will be completed in the near future. PIRSA, DEWNR and SA Health continue to deliver programs to address the needs of communities.

Community members continue to be able to access further assistance and advice through the recovery website and recovery hotline on 1800 302 787. The 30^th of June also saw the conclusion of my role as duty minister for the state-coordinated recovery effort following the Virginia floods. The extreme weather events of September/October 2016 resulted in the flooding of much of the Northern Adelaide Plains, particularly affecting some 250 horticultural growers, causing losses in the order of $51 million.

As with the Pinery communities, those affected by the flooding can continue to access advice and assistance through the recovery website and hotline. I would like to acknowledge the untiring efforts of many leaders of the affected communities and thank them for the untold hours that they have given. I also thank the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion and the many agencies that so effectively helped and advised community members through their recovery.

I also take this opportunity to commend the South Australians who volunteered to provide recovery assistance to Queensland, following Tropical Cyclone Debbie on 28 March 2017, in response to the Queensland government's request for assistance. The feedback we have received from Queensland is overwhelmingly positive: the South Australian team showed great leadership and professionalism. In the words of the Queensland operations manager, our teams 'helped them keep up to speed with recovery'.

The community itself was also very appreciative of the efforts made by our teams, who sacrificed family time to assist recovery efforts. 'You are angels,' said one lady to the South Australian outreach team who visited her and her young daughter at their apartment where they had been stranded without electricity. Through this work, staff members have also contributed to furthering South Australia's capacity to organise and manage emergency relief operations in the aftermath of a disaster. I pay tribute also to the good work done by the members for Goyder and Light in assisting the communities rebuild.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: It has been a privilege to support all the affected communities in their recovery from these significant disaster events.

The SPEAKER: I call the member for Schubert to order.