Economic Stimulus Package

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (15:19): I rise today to acknowledge and welcome funding announced as part of the Marshall Liberal government bringing forward the Planning and Development Fund as part of the COVID-19 stimulus package. The Breakout Creek wetlands project has been a long-term initiative and partnership between Green Adelaide, formerly the Mount Lofty NRM; Charles Sturt and West Torrens councils; and SA Water.

Breakout Creek, for those who are unaware, is at the coastal end of the River Torrens. The initiative has focused on the widening and deepening of the waterway, the construction of viewing platforms and public access paths, the removal of weed species and extensive planting of native vegetation and reed species. Many in my local area would be aware that the River Torrens originally did not run to sea. In the 1930s, due to frequent flooding, a channel out to sea was cut and dredged, becoming Breakout Creek.

Many would also be aware that stage 1 of this project was completed in 1999—the section upstream of Henley Beach Road that is bordered by the suburbs of Lockleys, Fulham, Fulham Gardens and even Kidman Park. Stage 2 of the project (the section between Henley Beach Road and Tapleys Hill Road) was completed in 2010. These two sections were welcomed and much loved by our community and, more broadly, by much of South Australia.

Different fish and bird species have returned and have been spotted since its completion, and it is a real testament to the amazing habitat that has been formed through the reinvigoration of the Breakout Creek wetlands. The final stage, which is the section between Tapleys Hill Road and the outlet, had been unfunded for a significant period of time. Many constituents have raised this project with me and many wish to see its completion, as it began nearly 30 years ago. I certainly made it a priority, on becoming the member for Colton, to see this project delivered.

The funding announced by the Marshall Liberal government will join funds already committed by the state government through Green Adelaide, the commonwealth government and the City of Charles Sturt. I cannot wait for this project to get underway, and I am sure that many in my local community feel the same. We cannot wait to see the project finally delivered. Indications are that the work will begin before the end of the year.

This final section will provide Greater Adelaide with significantly improved access. It will improve water quality going out to sea, which dovetails so well with the Marshall Liberal government's initiative to improve our metropolitan coastline. The quality of water going out to sea has so much of an impact on our seagrasses and on the quality of sediment that moves out to sea, so finalising this project is going to significantly assist with the restoration of that seagrass project as well.

It will improve the watercourse and become an environmental resource that all of Adelaide can enjoy. I am sure there are people from many different areas who partake in a stroll, bike ride or visit to the beach via Linear Park. For locals, the improvement of access to Apex Park, which was just finalised, finished and upgraded by the City of West Torrens over the past 12 months, was widely welcomed by our community. I know my community is looking forward to seeing this integration into a much larger system, seeing a complete watertable and seeing a project 30 years in the making finally completed. We certainly welcome the improved social and environmental outcomes to follow.