PENOLA BYPASS

In reply to the Hon. M. PARNELL (30 October 2008).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Transport has advised:

1. The State Government's funding contribution to the project is $9 million.

2. The State Government's contribution is not contingent on matching Federal funding.

3. The premise on which the question is asked is incorrect. Construction of a full bypass alignment will remove from the main street all Riddoch Highway traffic that does not have a destination in Penola. The southern section using state funds will be undertaken as a first stage. This first stage alone will divert the expected 200-300 truck movements from the harvest of the blue gum plantations to the west of Penola away from the main street.