MURRAY BRIDGE RACING FACILITIES

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (14:58): Is the Minister for Urban Development and Planning aware of proposals to upgrade thoroughbred racing facilities at Murray Bridge and how this redevelopment is being used to help accommodate an expanding population in this important regional centre?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:58): I thank the Hon. Mr Finnigan for his question. The rural city of Murray Bridge recently adopted an urban growth plan, which aims to ensure there is sufficient land to meet the anticipated growth of this important regional centre. The population of Murray Bridge is forecast to grow by 30,000 people—

The Hon. S.G. Wade interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Sorry; what's your problem?

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Before you postpone the prison, how can you plan when the government can't—

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: The population of Murray Bridge is forecast to grow by 30,000 people in the next 20 years, which requires the construction of about 7,500 new homes. An election is coming up in 12 months and, if members opposite want to put sports stadiums and bring forward prisons instead of hospitals, I am sure they can put that all before the electors next year. Meanwhile, this government will continue to make sensible conditions. Nevertheless, the population of Murray Bridge is forecast to grow by 30,000 people in the next 20 years, and that certainly covers the time frame. A new prison will be built well before that. It requires the construction of about 7,500 new homes.

In a proposal that reflects the principle of the city's urban growth plan, the Murray Bridge council has identified an opportunity to relocate the existing Murray Bridge racecourse. This master plan development will include best practice horse racing and training facilities, as well as some 3,500 residential allotments, associated retail and community facilities, wetlands and open space. The proposal to relocate the racecourse and create these additional residential allotments affects about 853 hectares of land located on the southern outskirts of Murray Bridge. That is directly south of the bypass road that goes to the Swanport bridge.

To allow such a project to go ahead and provide an important economic shot in the arm to Murray Bridge, the area needs to be rezoned. That is why I announced last year my intention to amend the Murray Bridge development plan, as the area is now currently zoned for agricultural activities, primarily grazing and cropping.

Last month, a draft development plan amendment was published to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on this proposed rezoning. There are strict processes surrounding a development plan amendment, a key part of which is to formally release the DPA document prior to its implementation so that members of parliament can make written comments about the proposed changes. At the end of this period, a public meeting will allow people who have made written submissions to comment further about the development plan amendment.

To enable the development to proceed, it is proposed that a residential and equine recreation zone be introduced to cover the majority of the affected area. Within this zone, there would be the following policy areas: an area for the new racecourse, its associated buildings and extensive areas for exercising and training horses. It would also include a visual barrier so that the facilities would not be seen from the freeway. As I have said, this 800-plus hectare area is immediately south of the freeway. Also, a commercial area used to service the needs of business associated with the equine industry would be part of it; a rural living area for owners to live and keep horses; an area for residential development; and a retail and community facilities area to serve the residents.

The development would include environmentally responsible initiatives, such as protecting and re-establishing areas of native vegetation, collecting stormwater, recycling grey water and ensuring that all buildings are water and energy efficient. About 44 hectares of land in the north-east corner of the affected area would be rezoned to rural fringe to act as a buffer for new developments against the impacts of the South-Eastern Freeway.

The complete DPA document is available online from the Department of Planning and Local Government website and through the Murray Bridge Council offices. The eight-week public consultation process is being run by the Development Policy Advisory Committee (DPAC), an independent statutory committee which provides advice to me on planning and development issues.

Written submissions on the DPA will be received until close of business on Thursday 12 March 2009. Public submissions will be posted for viewing on the Department of Planning and Local Government website after the 12 March deadline. Following the close of written submissions, a public hearing has been scheduled to be held at 7pm on Tuesday 31 March 2009 at the Adelaide Road Motor Lodge in Murray Bridge.

After this extensive consultation process, I will receive a report from DPAC suggesting any changes to the draft in response to feedback from the public. If the development plan amendment is adopted, the policy and mapping changes proposed will be made to the Rural City of Murray Bridge Development Plan. I urge members of the public interested in this redevelopment at Murray Bridge to ensure that they make their views known through this consultation process.