Parliamentary Committees

Public Works Committee: Granite Island Causeway Project

Debate resumed.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson) (11:29): To the Consul-General, we are sending all our best wishes to everyone in India at this very difficult time. I am sure all Australians feel for the population of India, who are doing it very tough. We hope for a speedy resolution over there. India is a very dear friend of Australia and South Australia. Thank you for coming today.

I rise briefly to talk about this development. I think it is terrific not just for the local people on Fleurieu Peninsula but for tourists and those who invest in tourism businesses. The member for Finniss mentioned The Big Duck tours, and they are terrific. I have been out on them before. It is a great family business that needs proper infrastructure. This is the thing: when governments invest in infrastructure, then the private sector investment that follows can quite often be many millions more than what the original project was. I am sure that we will see more investment in the area because of this project.

People, more and more now as they travel around the world, want to do experiences. They do not want to just sit there and look at something; they want to get out there. Whether that is going for a ride on the tram that goes across to Granite Island or getting on The Big Duck tour or swimming with tuna or any of those sorts of projects or activities that are already there and those that will follow, that is a good thing. I look forward to the project being completed and the boom in Fleurieu tourism that I am sure will follow.

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (11:31): I thank the members for Finniss and Mawson for their contributions and their belief in this project. The member for Finniss has been a very strong advocate for this project and also for his community. He is closely familiar with the needs of his community and has been an effective advocate. There is no question that these works are required. There are significant engineering challenges to see the project through, but we are very grateful for the diligence and accuracy of the engineers as they see through the initial scope of works, and we look forward to the project coming to completion.

Motion carried.