Paradise Water Main

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley) (15:34): My question is to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. Will the government provide financial or other assistance to residents of Hamilton Terrace, Paradise who have been affected by a burst water main on 16 March? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: When SA Water customers in Hallett Cove, Sheidow Park and Trott Park experienced a burst water main in October 2023 that left them without water for several days, the minister asked that SA Water waive the supply charge for the quarterly bill as compensation.

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) (15:34): That particular incident was quite a remarkable one given that so many people were affected, which meant that you could not just go around to the neighbour's place or even to a nearby shopping centre, therefore there was a view that we should do something more than would usually be done. But the member is absolutely right to point out that the incident for Paradise, although confined to affecting only three properties, was nonetheless particularly annoying for those people, having had that experience previously.

I believe the member is aware, but just to bring the chamber up to date, SA Water has made a decision to replace that section of main on the grounds that it has clearly been unreliable in its capacity to deal with supply without causing a challenge. SA Water is working with each of those properties on how they can be supported during the period of disruption that has been caused. I believe there is one in particular that has some challenges in terms of how long it will be out. My office has also been speaking to the people in those properties. Both SA Water and my office will continue to be working closely with them to make sure they are getting all the support they need and deserve.