Southern Expressway

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:10): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: I rise today to talk about the measures that the state government is taking to tackle the longstanding issue of rock throwing on the Southern Expressway. This is not a new problem. It is not a problem that has cropped up in the last few days, weeks or even months. Unfortunately, this is a problem that has been going on for years. In recent months, there have been a number of rock-throwing incidents. These are horrific and unacceptable criminal acts that jeopardise the safety of motorists and put lives at risk. The new state government is committed to developing and delivering a solution.

To that end, the state government has been diligently getting on with the job for some time. The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure has been working in conjunction with other agencies, such as SAPOL, to deliver the best long-term solution. DPTI and SAPOL met in April and again in May and will continue to meet monthly or as required. The two agencies have been working on a multifaceted solution. From a DPTI perspective, there are four measures that will be delivered to protect motorists in the community.

First of all, we will be upgrading existing CCTV cameras to improve visibility of incidents. Secondly, we will install mesh over areas of loose stones, with particularly problematic sites at Honeypot Road and Beach Road being addressed as a priority. Thirdly, there will be fencing and mesh installed to prevent access to loose stones. Finally, design work on the throw screens for bridges is underway, with the installation to commence towards the end of this year. I am advised that SAPOL has a strong focus on responding very quickly to any reports of rock throwing in the area and identifying and locating possible suspects.

The people of the southern suburbs and other motorists who use the Southern Expressway should take some comfort in the fact that the state government is getting on with delivering a solution to help keep them safe. While we are developing and delivering an engineering solution to a particular problem area, we cannot stop people from doing the wrong thing all the time. Ultimately, individuals need to take responsibility for their own actions. We will endeavour to deliver all these measures as soon as possible.

Mr Picton interjecting:

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

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Importantly, we now have a comprehensive solution that addresses the longstanding problem and, hopefully, these measures will go a long way to stamping out this reckless, dangerous behaviour.

The SPEAKER: Before I call for questions, I remind members that many of them are on warnings and that they have been called to order this morning. I would not like to see them depart the chamber. Do honourable members have any questions? The leader.