VICTORIA SQUARE

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the City of Adelaide a question about Victoria Square.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: The Hon. Michelle Lensink asked the minister a question about the costing of Victoria Square yesterday, and the minister responded that the total cost is estimated at about $100 million. This is obviously a significant and important project to Adelaide and for South Australia. In the past, the media have reported that the government has not been sensitive to all the stakeholders when it comes to consultation with the public about major projects.

When it comes to Victoria Square—which has been marked by the government as an exciting concept—if this project were to go ahead, it would no doubt change the landscape of Victoria Square forever. It would have a huge impact for all those who come to the city and it would also impact on hundreds of businesses within Adelaide, as well as all the traders and small businesses within the Central Market and the Chinatown precinct.

I am aware that many small business owners and traders are from a non-English speaking background and that they may not be aware of what has been proposed for Victoria Square. The development may significantly impact on their livelihood or business viability if they do not fully understand what has been proposed by the government. My questions are:

1. If the government is seriously seeking views and encouraging all South Australians to take part in the master plan consultation for Victoria Square, why is the closing date for consultations set for 7 June 2010?

2. Does the minister believe that the short time frame is sufficient for public consultation, given that this is considered a major project for the city?

3. Has the minister considered a different consultation format for small businesses and traders in the area to ensure that their views will be heard and that this group of stakeholders will not be disadvantaged?

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) (14:34): I thank the honourable member for her most important question and her interest in these important matters. Indeed, as I said previously, the developments that this government has in mind and is looking to support are many, and they are visionary for this state. Hopefully, these are developments that we can be very proud of.

We have seen attempts to revitalise Victoria Square over a number of decades but, unfortunately, those attempts have failed for a wide range of reasons. At present, the Adelaide City Council has put forward a master plan. The honourable member needs to understand that this is not a state government master plan; this is an Adelaide City Council master plan.

It is a project that is owned and managed by Adelaide City Council. It is not a state government project. It is a project where, obviously, the Adelaide City Council will be looking for support, and it will require support to be able to bring it to fruition. No doubt the state government will be requested to support it, as we have already, and we have indicated a $2 million contribution to date, which I have already talked about in this place.

The consultation process is one that the Adelaide City Council has formulated and is conducting, it is the Adelaide City Council that will collate the responses, and it is the Adelaide City Council that will then use that information in the way it sees fit to modify or amend and feed into its master plan.

If any member in this place or the other place, or a member of the public, believes that the consultation period of, I think, a month is too short, then they should raise that directly with the Adelaide City Council. I understand that the Adelaide City Council has put in place an online process of information and consultation. I understand there is a model you can go into and move around to see the proposed changes. I understand there is also online provision for feedback.

If people require assistance they can go to the council and obtain maps and plans to look at and explanations, if required, and they can put forward submissions or comments in writing if they do not want to use online facilities. I believe that the council has gone to some lengths to accommodate the different preferred styles people may have in submitting their views and obtaining information

As I said, this is a project that belongs to and is in the control of the Adelaide City Council, and the consultation is their process. If anyone believes that is inadequate, they should raise that with the Adelaide City Council, and I think that is a fair and reasonable thing to do.