Granite Island Causeway

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:35): Today, I rise to acknowledge the Marshall Liberal government's essential Granite Island Causeway project. Within my electorate of Finniss, the South Australian government has already committed $31.1 million towards funding the causeway project. As many members of the house may know, the Granite Island Causeway is an icon of Victor Harbor, the Fleurieu and South Australia. It is the link between the natural beauty of Granite Island and Victor Harbor. It is a popular tourist attraction and an important element of the Fleurieu.

The causeway was once strong, proud and able to battle the weather. This is no longer the case, as 98 per cent of the timber piles, 100 per cent of the bracing, 30 per cent of the crossheads and 69 per cent of the balustrade posts have been assessed to be in poor to failed condition with very advanced deterioration. This negative assessment is due to a combination of rot, marine borer attack and white ant damage. To the frustration of locals and visitors, the horse-drawn carriage cannot operate during windy conditions.

After parts of the causeway collapsed in 2019, temporary bracing was installed. Since then, an assessment found that repairing the existing structure was untenable. It is for this reason that the causeway has to be replaced. To make a complete reconstruction of the existing structure would shut down the Granite Island access for at least 18 months and cause significant damage to tourism in the area.

I respect tradition. It was in 1875 that the causeway first reached Granite Island; however, very little of that original structure remains. Only 12.5 per cent of the below deck structure is original and none of the above deck structure is original. The important heritage value we want to save is the link to Granite Island itself. The Marshall Liberal government is committed to building the new causeway next to the existing causeway.

The new causeway will continue to transport the horse-drawn cart. The new causeway will also provide disability access compliance and improve pedestrian amenity. The project will provide 43 full-time equivalent jobs during construction. Recently, there were two information sessions at the Victor Harbor Bowling Club and 160-plus people attended, with overwhelmingly positive responses from them all. I am proud the Marshall Liberal government is delivering this $31.1 million project. The Marshall Liberal government is building what matters for the people of Finniss.