Question Time

DESALINATION PLANTS

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning and Minister for Regional Development a question about the proposed new port for the Upper Spencer Gulf.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: In February 2006, Premier Rann announced that the state government would participate with mining giant BHP to investigate the development of a seawater desalination plant in the Upper Spencer Gulf.

Yesterday, Premier Rann issued a media release entitled 'Proposed new port for Upper Spencer Gulf.' The release stated that 'expressions of interest will be called for today in developing 500 hectares of industrial land for a new export harbour at Port Bonython.' My questions are:

1. What is the estimated cost of the new export harbour, how will it be funded, and will it be funded by a PPP?

2. At what stage is the environmental impact statement for the proposed new harbour?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:22): Yesterday, expressions of interest were called, and there have been a number of inquiries from a number of bodies which run ports and which are interested in establishing a port there. Presumably, that will be funded by the export of all the minerals that have been discovered in this state in recent years. So, the expression of interest—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: As I understand it, it was members opposite who privatised the port here; that is how our ports operate. Flinders Ports operates the port. Of course, originally it was established by the government, but Flinders Ports is the operator of it. As I understand it, Flinders Ports has a long-term lease on it, and it gets its income from the fees it charges for exporting. What the government is seeking here is the establishment of a port by an established operator and, presumably, it will be paid for in the same way as Flinders Ports funds its operations for the rest of the state.

In relation to an environmental study, it depends on the outcome of the expressions of interest as to what proposal is ultimately adopted. I believe the Premier has indicated that there will be a thorough environmental examination before any port goes ahead. In relation to planning, though, I can say that significant work has been done on the Port Bonython area, and a master plan has been prepared through the Office of Infrastructure. My colleague the Minister for Transport is essentially responsible for the project and, if there is any further information, I will seek it from him. Obviously, as the Premier indicated yesterday, there will need to be a substantial environmental study before any such port proceeds.