MURRAY RIVER FERRIES

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Road Safety a question about River Murray ferries.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: Members would be aware that due to low water levels in the River Murray one of the two ferries at Mannum has been closed for four months. Indeed, the Hon. Terry Stephens asked the minister a question about this subject on 5 March this year. In addition to Mannum, the low water levels below Lock 1 have made accessibility to other ferries, including Tailem Bend, Purnong, Walker Flat, Wellington, Narrung and Swan Reach, more difficult, particularly for heavy vehicles. My questions are:

1. Given the important road safety aspects relating to public access to ferries, will the minister indicate what options are being considered by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure to ensure safe and unrestricted access to all River Murray ferries?

2. Will the minister inform the council whether modified landings have been implemented at any ferry sites and, if so, which ones?

3. If that is the case, will the minister indicate whether modified landings are planned for other ferry sites?

4. In addition, I ask the minister in her emergency services role to indicate what action she has taken to ensure that heavy emergency services vehicles have unrestricted access to these vital transport links.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:12): I was asked a question by another member in relation to what alternative transport routes there were in cases of an emergency. I responded at the time that all emergency services would have alternative routes in the case of an emergency. I have not had the opportunity to table the response to the honourable member.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: Certainly, I will be doing that in the near future. In relation to the ferries, I will have to consult with my colleague the Hon. Patrick Conlon (Minister for Transport in the other place) and bring back a response for the honourable member.