RIVERLAND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES FUND

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:50): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question about the Riverland.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: The minister has previously told the chamber about the importance of local solutions to regional development. I expect this is of particular importance in an area such as the Riverland where economic activity has historically been centred around viticulture, horticulture and agriculture and based on the strengths of the region, its climate and its position straddling the mighty River Murray. The ingenuity and strength of people in the regions is legendary—an example to us all. Can the minister inform the chamber about her recent visit to the area and of recent developments in relation to the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund?

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) (14:51): I thank the honourable member for her very timely question. I have recently visited the Riverland to have a look at a range of projects which have put forward applications to the $20 million Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund. I have visited there, as you know, Mr President, on a number of occasions in my other capacity but also as Minister for Regional Development. I have to say that each time I go I learn more about this wonderful place. It is looking particularly beautiful at the moment. The river, in particular, is just glorious at the moment. With the long weekend coming up, I encourage anyone who might want to hire a houseboat to spend their long weekend along the Murray. I would encourage them to do so; it is particularly beautiful at the moment.

Members will recall that the aim of that investment in one of our iconic areas is to help leverage investment in the region and facilitate projects that improve infrastructure, support industry attraction and also help grow existing businesses. The fund's focus is on ensuring that the key enablers of the economy are in place to build on the existing strengths of the region and improve its competitive advantages. It is expected that over time this initiative will deliver structural change, population growth and enhanced employment outcomes for the Riverland to fund projects that make a major and sustainable impact on the region.

I was pleased to be able to visit the Airport Road nursery of Plummers Nurseries (Plumco Pty Ltd) to hear directly about their plans to upgrade facilities. This $1.1 million project which is expected to be staged over three years, beginning this year and scheduled for completion in mid-2014, has been supported by a $438,000 grant from the Sustainable Futures Fund. This is a well-established Riverland business, which has been operating since 1979 as a wholesale nursery, growing vegetables and supplying locally grown seedlings to growers and retailers. It is a family run, family owned business.

I understand the new permanent and semipermanent buildings and propagation machinery and equipment will enable Plummers Nurseries to produce a large variety of plants. Also, local production of small seedlings in trays means that the nursery will no longer have to import this type of stock from Victoria and Queensland, obviously providing an economic benefit to the region and making this particular part of the industry more self-reliant. I also understand that producing seedlings in the Riverland means that exports to other states will also be increased which, as we know, is a good thing.

I was also pleased to be able to visit Biological Services Pty Ltd in Loxton. This is a company producing biological control agents for agriculture and horticulture. Biological control agents, as the name suggests, use naturally occurring enemies of plant pest species to fight the bugs and diseases which afflict some of our very valuable crops. The $245,000 Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund grant awarded to Biological Services is to help to develop technology systems for mass production, packaging, freighting and distribution of their selected biocontrol agents.

This Riverland company has been producing biocontrol agents for the citrus industry since 1976, so it is a well established organisation and has worked to supply the broader horticulture and greenhouse industries. I understand controlling pests such as thrips and whiteflies, etc., that infest really important horticultural crops such as strawberries, capsicum, eggplants, tomatoes, etc. The $490,000 project is expected to be completed in December 2012.

Whilst visiting the region I also caught up with the Murraylands Riverland RDA, which obviously helps bring these proposals together. It is the organisation on the ground in the Riverland that helps potential applicants access the futures funds. I was pleased to get an update from them about their work in progress, and I am sure the very dedicated staff of the RDA will ensure that I will be seeing further future exciting projects.