Planning and Development Fund

Mr PATTERSON (Morphett) (14:11): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Can the minister update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is boosting the economy through targeted stimulus measures such as doubling the Planning and Development Fund?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:11): I thank the member for Morphett for his question. I note that the project in his electorate down at Wigley Reserve is actually already underway, which is pretty fantastic considering the council only got notification I think on Saturday afternoon that the project is going ahead. I think that is a fantastic result. We were the first jurisdiction in the nation to put together our first stimulus package, $350 million to help provide stimulus into our economy as soon as possible.

As part of that, we wanted to partner with local government, knowing their ability to partner with us in terms of providing a funding contribution but also spreading out jobs and stimulus opportunities right across South Australia. A $50 million bucket was put on the table, half from us and half from councils. The great news is that on the weekend it was announced that there were 37 successful projects. Better than just delivering $50 million worth of stimulus into our community, it is actually $65½ million that we are going to be able to deliver into the community, a fantastic result. I must pay big tribute to councils right across South Australia that have been willing to work with us to provide stimulus into our economy just when it needs it.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is called to order, as is the member for Morphett.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: This year, together with the Minister for Environment and Water, we actually changed the criteria for the Planning and Development Fund. We wanted to focus more on projects that would help to improve livability but also tree canopy cover and public open spaces. We know that as our city evolves and develops our public spaces become more and more precious, so putting money back into planting things is an extremely important part of what we sought to do.

Again, councils responded, and the projects that we have been able to deliver have delivered on just that. Not only will it help to support green canopy cover, as well as the beautification of public spaces, but it will also help to drive tourism and regional development. As I said, there are 37 successful projects across 27 different council areas: 24 in Adelaide and 13 around South Australia. Four of the projects, I am sure the member for West Torrens is interested to know, will start within the next four weeks.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: Four?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: There is the Adelaide city council's Whitmore Square upgrade project.

The SPEAKER: Order! Do not provoke the member for West Torrens.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: In the member's own electorate, in the City of West Torrens, is the Admella place park upgrade. There is $170,000 from the state government from the P&D Fund. It will be started in the next four weeks in the member for West Torrens' electorate. In the member for Ramsay's electorate—

The Hon. C.L. Wingard interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister for Police!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Admella place.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: I will show you the map afterwards. We have the native forest Little Para catchment, which I was talking about yesterday with the member for Ramsay. It is a great, beautiful space, a linear park that needs care and attention and is getting it as part of this year's upgrades.

We are also seeing in the next two months in the District Council of Tumby Bay—I spoke to Mayor Sam Telfer yesterday; maybe the member for Light should try doing the same. He tells me that the interpretative mangrove boardwalk upgrade is starting as soon as possible. In the member for Narungga's electorate, the pines foreshore reserve also has a project commencing—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: Where is he? Why isn't he here?

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens knows that is out of order.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —within the next month. It also gave me great pleasure—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —to continue the legacy that the former member in another place, Diana Laidlaw—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister for Education!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —put in place over 20 years ago and that is the next stage of finishing the coast path—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —along our metropolitan coastline. In the member for Reynell's electorate, the Witton Bluff Base Trail is a fantastic project and one that is going to bring us one step closer to having a completed coast path, delivering jobs into South Australia right when they are needed most.

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is warned and the Minister for Education is called to order. Leader.