HIGHBURY AQUEDUCT LAND

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning a question regarding the old aqueduct land at Highbury.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I understand that in 2006 an additional 51 hectares of land was added to the River Torrens Linear Park as a result of the government's decision to build a new $21.5 million pipeline to replace the Torrens Valley aqueduct system originally constructed in the late 1870s. The new pipeline has secured water supply for more than 85,000 households in Adelaide's north-eastern suburbs, while providing an opportunity to retain the existing aqueduct land in public ownership for future generations. Now that the new pipeline is carrying water from the vicinity of Gorge Weir on the Torrens River to the Hope Valley reservoir to replace about 4.5 kilometres of open channels, pipes and tunnels, will the minister please provide an update on what is happening with the more than 50 hectares of land added to the River Torrens Linear Park?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:44): I thank the honourable member for her timely question. I announced 14 months ago my decision to establish the Highbury aqueduct land consultative committee to consider the management of the old aqueduct land at Highbury. This four-member consultative group, ably led by the member for Newland, Tom Kenyon, has spent the intervening time investigating how to ensure that the aqueduct reserve can be incorporated into the River Torrens Linear Park in a way that provides a highly valued asset to the local community.

I am pleased to inform members that in the past week the member for Newland has begun to distribute a quality concept plan for the future management of this important reserve. Now that the consultative committee has agreed on a way forward, it is time for the committee to have its input in terms of upgrading the former South Australian water department aqueduct land. The plan envisages a development of the reserve in four stages that will provide better community access, reduce bushfire risk and better integration with the River Torrens Linear Park.

The government's purchase of the aqueduct land provides a wonderful opportunity to better manage this reserve in a way that preserves the natural bushland setting, while providing a network of trails and open space for use by the South Australian community and, in particular, the local community of Highbury. With an allocation from the Planning and Development Fund, the government hopes to develop the reserve during the next few years in a way that will also allow for better bushfire management.

While this land was off limits to the public while it was used to convey drinking water along the aqueduct, the construction of the underground pipeline mentioned by the Hon. Ms Zollo means this area of bushland can be opened up for the community's enjoyment. As I said previously in my answer, coloured maps of the concept plan are being distributed throughout Highbury and surrounding suburbs through a mail-out coordinated by the chairman of the Highbury Aqueduct Land Consultative Committee.

This committee welcomes feedback, with submissions to be lodged by 15 November (which of course is next Monday), so the staging of this project can be finalised and work begun as soon as possible on improving the reserve. In the meantime, an interim fire management plan has been put in place that includes hazard reduction such as slashing long grass and a comprehensive assessment and strategy for the staged removal of potentially dying and dangerous trees. Priority will be given to pruning or removing any trees that might be considered to compromise the safety of the reserve and neighbouring properties.