King Electorate Road Upgrades

Ms LUETHEN (King) (15:40): As the local state member for King, I rise today to update the house on the $50 million of investment that our local community have fought hard for and won to build safer roads in and around Golden Grove. I am thrilled that our government is delivering on its commitment to upgrade stage 2 of Golden Grove Road. I am so excited that stage 2 works worth $30 million have commenced and will create another 70 jobs locally.

Whilst our Marshall Liberal government committed $20 million toward stage 1 works, we are committing an extra $30 million towards stage 2. That is $50 million of investment that our local community fought hard for over many long years. Stage 2 works will focus on Golden Grove Road between Kunzea Way and Park Lake Drive. Intersections will be upgraded to ease congestion and reduce bus travel times on the road.

We will work to improve traffic flow with additional through lanes on Golden Grove Road and turning lanes. Stage 2 involves upgrades including Golden Grove Road/The Grove Way/Yatala Vale Road signalised intersection upgrade with a second right-hand turn lane from The Grove Way approach; on-road bike lanes in each direction; kerbs and gutters, drainage, road resurfacing, as well as new and upgraded road lighting; improved pedestrian facilities including new footpath and pedestrian crossing facilities; and indented bus bays.

Even more good news is that CATCON, which is a local business that employs many local people, has secured the second stage of the $30 million stage 2 Golden Grove Road upgrade. Thank you for the terrific work, leadership and collaboration of David Baker, Nathan King from CATCON, and George Panagopoulos and Surinder from the DIT team. The Golden Grove Road upgrade means more jobs and better services in our local community. We are also backing local businesses with this upgrade.

I look forward to updating my community further on the exciting news this week about the Golden Grove park-and-ride upgrade too. So much good news happening in King. The things that matter to my community matter to me, and I urge the community to keep their feedback coming.

On Friday 25 September, I had the pleasure of attending the annual general meeting of the Tea Tree Plaza mall walking group held at Caffe Primo in Tea Tree Plaza. The group currently has 184 active members, and in the past year membership grew by 11 people. Thank you to the vice-president, Jillian Buckerfield, who took charge to officially conduct the elections of office-bearers at the AGM.

Congratulations to the following office-bearers of the Tea Tree Plaza mall walking group who were elected for two-year terms, including John Jarrad as president; Bill Castle as treasurer; Angela Highland as assistant secretary; and Carol Van Kalken as a committee member. It was pleasing to see that all nominations were carried unanimously at the AGM. Local King star and group member, Carmen Walker-Galpin, successfully moved an amendment to the constitution to allow the executive of the committee, in the event of an unforeseen situation or circumstance such as COVID, to delay the AGM for a period of up to two years, given our recent 2020 pandemic experiences.

The following people were recognised at the AGM for their excellent contributions during the COVID-19 lockdown:

Jillian and Renata, for organising the handout and delivering some of the AGM papers, which saved money and postage;

Renata, for sending out birthday cards during the lockdown as a way of keeping in touch with members; and

Carol, for keeping in contact with members to check on their wellbeing.

At the conclusion of the AGM, coffee and pancakes were enjoyed by all at Caffe Primo.

Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity today to speak about the Golden Grove Road upgrade and the Tea Tree Plaza mall walking group. I am proud to be working with the Marshall Liberal government to continue to create jobs, build safer roads and ensure that people living in King have access to better health care closer to home. Together, we are making our community safe and strong.

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