Myponga Reservoir

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. Did the minister axe $1 million in funding from the CABN accommodation nature-based tourism project in the Myponga Reservoir Reserve and, if so, why? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: On 30 January 2022, the previous Liberal government announced a $1 million grant for the CABN project for a range of cabins, tours and experiences around the Myponga Reservoir Reserve that would transform the region for visitors and surrounding businesses. The opposition has been aware that the grant money was withdrawn and that this project is unable to go ahead.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Mawson! The leader is called to order. Member for Cheltenham! The leader is called to order and warned.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members, this is not an episode of Summer Heights High. There are 10 minutes remaining. It is, it would appear, the last question time of the year. There's a good deal of vigour in the room. The Deputy Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (15:03): The brief answer for me to be able to give would be no, but in the spirit of generosity, and I know how concerned the leader is about anything that touches anything to do with what he regards as his legacy, I will give a more fulsome answer.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mawson is called to order.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: The funding was not axed by me. The funding sat, indeed, under the PIRSA account for funding such projects. What happened was that the SA Water Board received the application in more detail from the organisation that wanted to have overnight accommodation in a reservoir area in land that is planted by ForestrySA. The SA Water Board determined that they weren't satisfied that the water security measures the company were proposing were sufficient and therefore declined to support it.