Private Members' Statements

Private Members' Statements

Ms PRATT (Frome) (15:35): The Mid North is as dry as toast, but the government is not listening, and there is an opportunity to set the record straight. Today's ABC online headline stated that the state government will establish three emergency water collection points in the Adelaide Hills as part of a 'temporary emergency response' to local water shortages. From my electorate, the feedback has been flowing all day. To quote David from Leasingham:

I spoke to FIVEaa and the minister on the radio this morning. You had the real feeling that other than a total of three to four water points in the Adelaide Hills, there weren't other areas affected or they weren't aware of them. The water minister needs feedback of the situation.

Martin from Armagh has explained to me that he has one tank left, the bore is salty, his garden is dying—he has to let it die—and water carting of course has a very long and lengthy delay. A Manoora farmer said to me recently:

I have never had water troughs in the paddock [because] I have always had ample water in my dams to feed…livestock.

That is not the case anymore. Nathan from Mintaro/Manoora states:

I am a farmer from the Clare Valley and people are hurting. Water is a major issue as well as there is no recognition that SA is in a historical drought event. There has been next to no media coverage and all the government wants to do is spend money on golf, AFL…[and] The PIRSA Grant scheme is a joke.

A Clare agronomist has said:

27 years as an agronomist and I've never seen it so bad.

We have an Auburn farmer who shared the following statement:

We run a small beef property in Auburn in the Clare Valley. We are needing support from the government to declare a drought…We've had one load of domestic water…Our hay bill [is looking to be] $50,000.

They have no rain. I think it is clear that the government needs to be listening.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (15:37): Last Friday, I joined Minister Cook to visit two remarkable community groups in the Clare Valley to view their projects, funded by the 2023-24 Grants SA Social Impact Grants round 2 and the Office for Ageing Well's 2023-24 Grants for Seniors program. The Clare Agricultural and Horticultural Society received a grant of $9,692 to purchase and install an air conditioner and room furnishings for the sensory and calm room at the Clare Showgrounds. This initiative has created a safe and comforting space for individuals who may feel overwhelmed during events, significantly improving accessibility and inclusivity.

Members of the society spoke passionately about the positive impact this project has had on the local community. Similarly, the Mintaro Progress Association was awarded $4,000 for their Mintaro Seniors: a Connected Community project. This grant was used to deliver a series of targeted workshops and seminars, focusing on topics like nutrition, physical and mental wellbeing and community resilience. These workshops brought older people together, encouraging them to stay connected, understand available services and develop skills to contribute to their community.

The Mintaro Progress Association, formed in 1935, has a long history of supporting and developing the district's cultural facilities. Their efforts continue to strengthen community bonds and promote engagement. The impact of these projects is already being felt, demonstrating the power of community-driven initiatives in fostering a more inclusive environment for all. Both these community organisations, amongst many others, make a huge difference to the wellbeing and prosperity of our communities.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:39): I want to talk about Fabulous Friday, as I did yesterday. On Friday night, the South Australian press awards were held at the Convention Centre. They saw an outstanding presentation of what country newspapers mean to South Australia. Of course, there are always winners and there are always place getters. The Murray Pioneer, a great Riverland institution, did exceedingly well. It won the best newspaper with a circulation over 4,000, a great outcome. The Excellence in Journalism Award was won by Alexandra Bull for her story on Renmark High School. Third place for Best Editorial Writing went to Hugh Schuitemaker. Hugh is a budding journalist, a young fellow who is now the editor of the Murray Pioneer, and he is doing an outstanding job.

The Murray Pioneer was also runner-up for Best Advertisement and runner-up for Best Community Advertising Promotion, which was to promote the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival. It is a great festival. It is one of South Australia's great country tourist festivals. The Murray Pioneer also won third place for Best Front Page and gained special mention for the best publication. I want to thank the Taylor Group, and say well done to Ben Taylor and his editor, Hugh, and their diligent team. They are doing an outstanding job with true and accurate journalism, which is what sells papers.

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (15:40): I rise to give plaudits to Mr Rick Hutchinson, who of his own volition has gone out and secured 500 signatures for a petition calling for the widening of the St Vincent Highway between Yorketown and Edithburgh—not necessarily the whole way, but a specific patch of it, from the Seven Roads intersection through to Edithburgh.

Rick lives in Edithburgh. As we are well aware, he has had the trusty tape measure out and has measured that the road from Yorketown to the Seven Roads intersection is 7.5 metres wide, but after the Seven Roads intersection it reduces all the way in to 5.4 metres wide. He has managed to get 500 people to sign this petition. It was actually 499 until I collected it and signed it myself to bring it up to a nice even number. He has managed to get 500 people to sign this petition to call for the widening of the highway.

It would be a wonderful boom for the terrific community there in Edithburgh who use that road every day to get to the services that they require. I look forward to welcoming Rick into the parliament tomorrow to see that petition tabled. I have tried not to oversell the process, as it is a little bit underwhelming, but he will be here to see all of his hard work laid on the table of parliament. Thereafter, I will do my best to ensure that wonderful work to secure that many signatures on a petition is converted into a good outcome for his community. I would like to thank and congratulate Rick. I look forward to working with him and the community on securing a wider St Vincent Highway heading into Edithburgh.