GREATER EDINBURGH PARKS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about the Greater Edinburgh Parks precinct.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: You're harping for them now, are you? Be a little bit individual, mate. Don't harp the Dawkins' line, make up your own lines, mate. We are hearing so many regenerated lines around this place today, I just want to be sick. Be original—

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Wortley will ask his question.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Thank you, sir. I thought I would explain something. Last week, the minister outlined some of the winners of the Local Government Management Association Leadership Excellence Award 2010. I understand that a project was also declared the most outstanding example of local government partnership designed to achieve growth.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Take his line again, mate; just remember what he is saying. Will the minister inform the chamber about this project?

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 for the City of Adelaide) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his most important question and his interest in these important policy matters. The City of Playford and City of Salisbury have cooperated in establishing the Greater Edinburgh Parks precinct as an employment hub. The precinct is estimated to have over 1,100 hectares of potentially developable land and should attract 25 to 50 per cent of Adelaide's industrial land consumption over the next 20 years.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I cannot hear myself think, Mr President. The land is currently designated by the draft of the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide to provide well-located industrial land that is free from residential development for the long-term future of metropolitan Adelaide. It will enjoy world's best practice in the application of ecologically responsible high-tech and knowledge-based technologies. The precinct will strive to take advantage of emerging new industry and business sectors, including defence, mining, construction, aerospace, food processing, education and environmental. The Edinburgh Parks precinct has already attracted major companies, including:

a $125 million state-of-the-art distribution centre for Coles;

a $100 million food processing facility for Inghams;

a $24 million logistics optimisation centre for DHL;

BAE national headquarters;

MTU Detroit Diesel;

Futuris;

and many others.

The state government estimates that the growth in Edinburgh Parks and the surrounding area is likely to create over 38,000 direct jobs over the next 20 years, with direct economic output likely to be around $3.4 billion.

The department of transport has been involved in this initiative by realigning sections of the Northern Expressway. The Department of Trade and Economic Development has adopted a similar model for the Tonsley Park redevelopment. The precinct presents a range of opportunities, which makes it an ideal location for additional industrial expansion, creating a higher level of confidence for investment in the region.

In addition to the comprehensive transport infrastructure, Edinburgh Parks features innovative landscaped areas, including open space, walking and cycling trails, and sporting/recreational facilities. The site offers a range of benefits for people working in that area.

Environmentally sensitive stormwater management, involving an aquifer for a storage recovery system and reticulated non-potable water supply, has also been incorporated in the Edinburgh Parks design.

Northern Adelaide is one of the fastest growing areas in South Australia, with over $8 billion in projects which are either nearing completion or soon to commence. So, it is not surprising that this very innovative project was declared the most outstanding example of local government design to achieve growth and that it received such an important award in acknowledgment of that achievement.