Infrastructure Projects

Mrs POWER (Elder) (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Local Government. Can the minister inform the house about the Marshall Liberal government's $100 million investment in local infrastructure projects to leverage job creation in local communities right across our great state?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (15:04): It is with great pleasure that I receive and am happy to answer the question of the member for Elder, and her interest in local government is greatly appreciated.

Can I start by saying that over the last two weeks I have had the opportunity to address both mayors and other advisers in relation to the Local Government Association Annual General Meeting, and indeed, just last Friday, chief executives of councils from across South Australia, to convey firstly the government's appreciation, in particular the Premier's really constant accolade, for the conduct of local government—in particular, showing leadership in restraint of their own expenditure, in trying to understand and appreciate their ratepayer base and support base and recognising the limitations some of their districts are particularly under.

COVID on top of bushfires has created enormous areas of strain for local government and the local government sector have stepped up. They have been complimented by the Premier and appreciated by us all in government. The other important message was to be able to bring to the fore this $100 million Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program, another fifty-fifty program with state government money to be leveraged to enable us to fast-track, provide economic recovery, more jobs, and of course much-needed infrastructure within councils.

It's required councils to have projects ready to be able to do the preparation and planning in the full knowledge that this enormous stimulus opportunity is on its way through and, of course, it comes on top of an extra $15 million over the last financial year and this financial year for projects out of the Planning and Development Fund. What we have asked councils to do is to have those projects ready and to submit them early.

Just last week, from last year's program, the Premier and I were down at Wigley Reserve a couple of weeks ago now to see the launch of a playground in action with children all over it and, of course, locals coming forward to be able to say what a wonderful activity and refreshment that's given to the area. The local mayor and I think almost the whole council were present for the launch of this park, and it's a great testament to them, particularly because they had it ready, in the bag and ready to put on the table for this opportunity.

Energy, water, stormwater infrastructure, libraries, tourism facilities, arts and cultural facilities, sport, recreation, skate parks, barbecue facilities, bike paths, tennis courts, swimming pools—we are just about as good as you at this point—projects of all those kinds are ready and available to go. We've got the money on the table ready to fund it—$200 million total. We want to see that rejuvenation across the state, particularly for those who are in urgent need of building facilities for their local communities.

Just this last weekend, back on Kangaroo Island, on behalf of the Premier I was able to see the benefits of money being put very quickly into the community to be able to operate. Incidentally, the Variety Bash cars were very happy, Mr Premier, to receive your money to make sure that their cars could come back and forth on the ferry. It really is important, I think, for all governments to step up at this time. We're partnering with local government—we are proud to do so—and they are stepping up with those programs on the table, money is being spent and we are very proud of them.