PORT LINCOLN AIRPORT

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (14:41): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question about Port Lincoln Airport.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: The minister has spoken in this place about the importance of regional development and of her role as a champion for the regions. South Australia has great prospects from some of the developments which have been recently mooted and are set to take place in the regional areas of our very diverse state.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Have you finished? You've had your comments? May I continue? Regional areas may be dependent on their transport links to metropolitan areas and regional centres. My question is: will the minister tell the council about a recent development to help improve regional air transport infrastructure?

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, Minister for Gambling) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for his important question. This government has committed to investing in the growth of regions through its support for a range of capital spends in areas such as health, education and communities, as well as by supporting services.

One of the areas which is growing and seems to grow further and benefit through the growth of mining, for example, is Eyre Peninsula. We have seen the federal government recognise the importance of investing in this region to support the expected expansion of mining in South Australia. So, I am very pleased today to be able to announce that I have approved a grant from the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund of $1,022,530 for the transport and electricity infrastructure to support a major upgrade of the airport of the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula.

I understand that the airport, which services many Eyre Peninsula communities and industries, provides a very fast transport option and links the city of Port Lincoln and southern Eyre Peninsula to Adelaide. It is a gateway for tourists and business visitors to the very beautiful Eyre Peninsula. Port Lincoln itself is a very busy regional centre, as I know you are well aware, Mr President. I am advised in the 10 years between 1996 and 2006 the census data showed that population in that area grew by 17 per cent compared to South Australia as a whole which during that time only grew at 2.7 per cent, so we can see that it is a rapidly growing area.

It is a major service centre to the Eyre Peninsula with fishing, aquaculture activities, farming, and the list goes on. I am advised that both the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula and Regional Development Australia Whyalla and on Eyre Peninsula have recognised the airport's strategic importance for industry and the community generally. I am advised that the Port Lincoln Airport is South Australia's busiest regional airport, in particular in regard to regular passenger transport flights. It is also used by charter planes, medical retrieval services and general aviation operators.

The airport is owned and operated by the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula, and I am advised that, on current airline schedules, it provides up to eight return services per day to Adelaide with Regional Express (Rex), a SAAB 34-seat aircraft, and up to four return services per day with QantasLink, which has a 74-seat aircraft. This weekly flight schedule offers in excess of 7,000 seats, serving more than 4,000 passengers per week on the Adelaide-Port Lincoln route.

The Regional Development Infrastructure Fund is a competitive fund, with three rounds per year in March, July and November, and it provides support for infrastructure costs of projects which support sustainable economic development. Eligible applicants for the fund include local government, private sector, business or industry associations. They can apply for up to 50 per cent of the eligible infrastructure costs of a project.

Proponents are required to provide detailed financials, company business plans and project-specific information, and DTED undertakes comprehensive financial due diligence and assesses projects against published guidelines and assessment criteria. Applications are very carefully assessed and scrutinised to ensure that funding is directed to worthy projects such as this one.

As part of the total estimated project cost, which is $13 million, this RDIF grant of over $1 million for the Port Lincoln Airport is directed to construct the new taxiway and an extension of the apron, as well as electrical mains connection to the proposed new terminal. I am advised that extending the airport taxiway and apron will help give Port Lincoln's facility maximum flexibility for different sized aircraft, which is important to its future.

Finally, I take this opportunity to encourage those who consider that they have a suitable project to contribute to sustainable economic development in the regions to seek the guidelines for the RDIF funding, which are on our website.