Renewal SA

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Will the minister direct Renewal SA to work with regional councils? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TELFER: On 25 August, the Local Government Association of South Australia advised the minister that they had concerns about the lack of action to resolve regional housing shortages, stating that Renewal SA is:

…not currently engaging in any regional residential projects at a time when severe housing shortages are being experienced throughout regional South Australia.

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION (Taylor—Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Planning) (14:42): I thank the member for his question. This is a very serious issue for regions, which is why when we had the country cabinets in both the South-East and the Upper Spencer Gulf we asked Renewal SA to come with us and to meet with local councils. They have done that.

I have made it very clear to Renewal SA that they do need to engage with rural communities, and we had some very successful meetings and very successful engagements. There is no secret that worker housing in particular in regions is a very significant issue that's being a barrier to growth, and we all know that. That problem has developed over time, so the honourable member might want to reflect on the last four years and about whether every opportunity was taken—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Chaffey!

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: —but I am not—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: But I have taken Renewal SA down to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Schubert! The member for Chaffey is warned.

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: —regional communities to talk to local councils. We have had those discussions and we will most certainly be taking action.

The SPEAKER: The member for Flinders on a supplementary.