Grievance Debate

Adelaide Hills Producers

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:12): I rise to bring to the house's attention the magnificent work that has been done by local growers in the Hills. The Fruit Producers SA Industry Day is being held as we speak. It commenced this morning, and very happily, at the Lenswood Bowling Club. I was glad to be along for the beginning of that day and want to thank those growers present for having me along to hear current concerns about industry challenges that are being faced by, in many cases but I might say especially characterised by, this multigenerational legacy that we have so proudly in the Hills—multigenerational family growers from Cherryville through to Lenswood, Lobethal, Forest Range and areas surrounding it; Norton Summit in the northern parts of the Hills.

I pay a particular tribute in this regard to my friend Brenton Green, who is one of those multigenerational growers in the Hills. He was along, as were so many well-known family growers for the industry day this morning. The concerns that are raised by these growers are no surprise to the government, but what ought to be of concern to the house is that we have seen an insufficient response to what are now persistent concerns among these growers.

First, growers are no exception when it comes to the experience of this terrible drought. They have suffered through these very dry conditions. In the northern parts of the Hills, many growers are reliant on a water licence and drawing on underground water. There is a practical concern about how that is measured and how the grower is then interacting with the allocation that they have. In too many cases, growers are being met with a shock bill that has resulted from an assessment of water usage. That needs to be gotten to grips with in a practical way so that growers are not taken by surprise and can operate day to day with confidence.

Of course, fruit fly is an issue of major concern to local growers and, just like in so many other areas, growers are determined to get to grips with that in practical ways. We know that in the northern parts of the Hills we are very close to the eastern suburbs, where that built-up suburban area is full of backyards with fruit trees in them. That is one of those challenges of proximity. We have a very sophisticated community of growers who can and will respond effectively to prevent fruit fly damaging their own crops and to manage any outbreaks when they occur. That is going to be an issue of keen interest going forward.

We all know that the government has invested many tens of millions of dollars in ensuring that we are fruit fly free. We ought to also be conscious of the fact that South Australia in its efforts operates as a buffer between Western Australia and the Eastern States in terms of the fruit fly that makes its way east from WA and west from Queensland, New South Wales and in the east. It is a matter of keen concern to growers.

Thirdly, I would highlight the issue of nets and their accessibility to growers—again, a practical concern. The last round of funding had left funds unspent because of the requirement that growers fund the entirety of the building of frames and nets before they are able to access funds. So we need to do more practically.

Finally, might I just say that it is timely to be raising these matters in circumstances where the Horticulture Coalition of South Australia will launch the horticulture industry blueprint here in the building, in the Old Chamber, this evening at 6pm. I look forward to going along to that event.