King Electorate

Ms LUETHEN (King) (15:37): I rise to share some absolutely awesome news from the King electorate today with the commitment of two very important projects in my local community. Everyone on this side is excited. Firstly, as I was travelling home last week from the Golden Grove Football Club senior women's medal count, it was a welcome sight to see workmen out digging trenches as part of the first works on the $20 million upgrade of the Golden Grove Road. I was even more excited when the workmen gave me a spade and let me have a dig.

The King community has been waiting very patiently for this upgrade, and I am so proud to be part of a government that has listened to the community and is finally delivering this long-overdue upgrade. Back in September 2017, I stood on the side of the Golden Grove Road with the Minister for Industry and Skills, the member for Newland and the then Wright candidate, Luigi Mesisca, to ask our local community to help us to fight for funding to fix up this road. The King community came out, they signed petitions, they honked horns and together we got the job done.

I had already tried to achieve this outcome in my former capacity as an elected member of the City of Tea Tree Gully by following the formal channels, along with my awesome co-councillor, Councillor Bernie Keane, but two years ago I decided it was time to combine the collective voices of my local community to demonstrate to the former government how significant this project was to us. I was so pleased when they committed the money. We matched that, too, and we are the ones delivering.

I am pleased to say that the hard work has paid off and that we are finally seeing the workers on the ground, shovels out. This government is getting on with the job of delivering for the people in King. These preliminary works will occur at various locations along Golden Grove Road between the One Tree Hill Road roundabout and the intersection of The Grove Way and Yatala Vale Road. That is the first stage. It is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2019, with major construction work soon to follow.

I want to take this opportunity to remind my local residents that while we can all appreciate that roadworks can be a minor inconvenience on our daily commute, please be patient just a little while longer because the end result will be worth the wait. I also want to urge residents to continue to support the many local businesses along Golden Grove Road who provide a valuable contribution to our community.

During the design phase of this project, I went to each business and asked what was most important to them to take into account while the build was happening. The response was simple: 'Please, we want the road fixed, and we want our businesses to continue uninterrupted.' Please take time to stop off at these businesses. I am extremely proud that this government is delivering on its election commitment for the people of King, and I cannot wait to see this transformation rolled out.

The King community received more good news recently when it was announced that works to expand the South Australian Districts Netball Association car park are also getting underway in September. This is another election commitment to be delivered. It is a collaborative project between the City of Tea Tree Gully and the Marshall government. Stage 1 of these works will see the unsealed car park near the Goldenfields Reserve upgraded, with a dedicated left-turn lane also to be installed at the roundabout as you leave the car park and head onto Atlantis Drive.

When the traffic is eased up on this road, it is going to be welcome news for the residents as well. Traffic congestion on the site has been a long-term issue, and this upgrade will provide additional car parking options and improve the traffic flow. The second stage of the project will incorporate a new exit from the car park onto The Golden Way and an entry point there, too, which should further alleviate congestion and allow residents to get home as quickly and safely as possible.

I also want to thank all members of the King community who told me that these two projects were a priority for them. I am so happy to be delivering for the area. Please continue to share your feedback with me. Let our voices be heard in the north. Have your say and let me know what is most important to you to make our area continue to be the best place to live in South Australia.