REGIONAL FUNDING

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:04): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question about funding to regions.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The South Australian government provides funding through its regional development infrastructure program to support critical regional infrastructure projects. As the President would be aware, since 2002 the Labor government has embarked upon probably one of the greatest infrastructure programs in the history of this state. That was a necessity after the nine years of neglect prior to our taking office. My question is: will the minister tell the house how an important project has recently been provided with assistance in the South-East of the state?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. It certainly did give me great pleasure last week to be able to announce funding of up to $500,000 through the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund (RDIF) to go to the District Council of Grant towards the upgrade of the Mount Gambier airport.

Members may be aware that the council has for many years wished to upgrade the airport, and this money will help to achieve the council's 15-year airport redevelopment plan. The funding will specifically support runway lighting and assist with the strengthening of the main runway apron and also the taxiways. It is envisaged that the project will help boost local employment during the construction phase, potentially result in greater tourism to the area and also improve business access.

The total cost of the project is around $3.2 million. The runway upgrade may also help attract a second carrier to the region. The District Council of Grant has advised that work on the project will begin shortly and be finished by the end of this financial year. I understand that the runway, taxiways and aprons at the airport have not been upgraded to any extent since the 1950s, and this upgrade will ensure that the Mount Gambier airport meets its legal requirements, as set out by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

I met with the mayor of the Grant district council, Mr Richard Sage, on Friday, and he expressed his appreciation to the government for its assistance. The mayor told me that he expects this initial investment to be the catalyst for further development of the airport, which I know is also a matter of interest to my honourable colleague the Minister for State/Local Government Relations.

I would like to acknowledge the representations made by the member for Mount Gambier in another place. The member informed the ASET panel that the Mount Gambier airport is the second-largest regional airport in South Australia and a critical gateway for social and economic activity. The honourable member was very persuasive in advocating that an upgrade for the airport was critical to sustainable development in the region. This project is just one of the many RDIF projects that are given out to assist the state to reach South Australia’s Strategic Plan targets in the areas of regional jobs, investment and also export earnings.