Bills

Supply Bill 2024

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 2 May 2024.)

Mrs PEARCE (King) (11:02): It is a pleasure to continue my remarks about all the wonderful things that are happening in my local community. Did you know that the Salisbury SES, the local SES in my electorate, is the busiest in the state? In fact, over the last 10 years, the Salisbury SES alone has responded to over 7,000 requests for assistance. It was why I was so happy that we have been able to support them to upgrade their ICT equipment, because better equipment means that they are better equipped to respond to emergencies in a way that keeps them safe and also in a way that is as efficient as possible.

It was a great pleasure to catch up with them recently at the ANZAC Day service in Salisbury itself. The member for Wright and myself then went and caught up with them at their station to see all the different works and things that are happening at the station and how the team has been going. It was really great to hear just how much this equipment has been helping them to feel prepared and equipped for the tasks at hand as we start coming into stormy weather season.

Further, regarding infrastructure and works that we are undertaking around my local electorate, I am very pleased to share that at Salisbury East High School stage 1 of the works to make parking and traffic safer in and around the school has been completed. Stage 2, with the kiss-and-drop component, is only another two to three weeks away. This is something that I committed to for the local community because I knew it was important not only to those who attend Salisbury East High School but also to those who live within Salisbury East, because traffic, particularly in the morning, can be quite daunting and get a bit congested. We want to make sure that it is as efficient and flowing as well as it can but also in a safe manner for all on the roads.

Furthermore, the road upgrades in Salisbury Heights are tracking very well. Earlier this year, it was great to have members of the community come out and meet with the department and have a look at the plans that we have underway to upgrade our intersections on Target Hill Road and Main North Road, Canterbury Drive and The Grove Way and, of course, Green Valley Drive and The Grove Way as well.

A big component of that is that it also benefits those who travel along Stanford Road in my electorate. Being the only intersection with stoplights, often a lot of our traffic flow comes through that avenue to be able to get out of the suburb, either heading north or heading south into the city or even up into Golden Grove as well. These measures will help improve that safety and also flow of traffic within the neighbourhood, which is something that my community has been calling out for for quite some time. So it is great to see that that is progressing well, and I cannot wait to get back out to the community and share the next stages as it progresses.

It is no surprise that sporting clubs are the heart of the community, and it is something that I am incredibly passionate about. I know they play a wonderful role in helping to get our kids off screen, active and healthy, and we do that not only for their physical benefit but also to ensure that we are doing all we can to support their mental health and wellbeing. We are helping kids to develop a sense of social connections and forming friendships, often friendships that last well into their adult years, and also a sense of pride and connection within their community as well.

It is also great for the families themselves to connect. I know I very much look forward to Sunday morning football matches and now Saturday afternoon netball games. We get to catch up with local families and connect, and it is a really good opportunity for us to check in with one another when we are all living such busy lives these days.

It is why I am so incredibly excited that the builds are going extremely well over at Harpers Field, plus the wellbeing centre that we are building at that facility as well, helping to reach more members of our community with this new facility that will strengthen engagement and connections within the community, fostering that sense of wellbeing that we all take such immense pride in doing as well.

I had a bit of a talk with Sarah Constructions the other week and members of the council, and it is really fantastic to see how well it is all progressing and how much thought and consideration has been put into these builds. I for one know that I am very much looking forward to a schnitty on a Thursday night over at the Golden Grove club once it has opened, and I do not think you will be able to get us out of there in a hurry. It is looking absolutely fantastic, and we are keen to see some good games there; that is for sure.

The build at Tilley Recreation Park has also commenced. It was great that just last week we were able to do the official sod turn of the build. It is a huge milestone and something, again, the community has been asking for for quite a long time. The build that is happening there will benefit many different clubs and organisations within my local electorate, and it is great to have had an opportunity to discuss that with local members of the community.

Just recently we had the CFS Shield there. This has now been running for some years in my local community. It is organised by the Tea Tree Gully City Soccer Club and the One Tree Hill Soccer Club as well. They come together to put on this event to bring community in and put on a bit of a show throughout the day and, importantly, raise funds for our amazing CFS stations both at One Tree Hill and also at Tea Tree Gully. They have done an absolutely phenomenal job of bringing in community to thank those wonderful, wonderful volunteers but also to raise important funds so that they have the infrastructure and supports they need to do their very important job. I would like to note that this year alone they had another successful year and were able to raise $6,800 for the local stations.

McGilp oval is also on track. It will be a welcome addition in the One Tree Hill community. I have every confidence that these upgrades will help ensure that the needs of my local community will continue to be met for generations to come. They are going to help ensure families remain connected and supported and that our kids are getting the best possible start they can in life.

With that in mind, I am also so incredibly proud of the work being done in regard to the technical college that we are building out in the north-east. This is a game changer. By having the technical colleges, we are able to give students the opportunity to complete their SACE, build on those skills that are recognised and valued within the workplace and also to get a taste of the opportunities ahead of them and the pathways that are available to them as well so that they can go straight into secure work.

The member for Newland and I recently visited Findon Technical College, and it was great to have a look around and see how it is set up. It is really fantastic to see the way that it replicates a workplace whilst also focusing on educational outcomes, and the way that they are able to bring in different employers and organisations to give students that real hands-on experience and networking opportunities so they can make informed decisions as they start looking to where they want to go in the workforce.

Following the analysis of in-demand skills and engagement with stakeholders, there have been four key industry specialisations that have been identified for students who will be attending The Heights Technical College. First and foremost there will be aero skills, which will support defence and civil aviation businesses. It will also offer advanced manufacturing and engineering, building and construction, and early childhood education. These are all skills that are in high demand within our community and available in a way that will enable our kids to learn, grow and work in their community, should they decide to do so.

These are just a few of the many amazing things that are happening in my local community—things that will help strengthen what already is an amazing place to live and work in. The best part is that we are only just getting started.