BAY TO BIRDWOOD

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Regional Development, representing the Minister for Police, relating to the Bay to Birdwood run.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: All members of this house will be familiar with the Bay to Birdwood run, which was held again on Sunday. It is important to recognise that the Bay to Birdwood run was largely responsible for the introduction of South Australia's much-envied historic vehicle registration system, an initiative of the Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs of South Australia and legislated under a Liberal government, which recognised that historic motoring is an important facet of South Australian life and a revenue earner for the state.

The federation is a fifty-fifty partner in the Bay to Birdwood events, with the state government through History SA. The Governor of South Australia is its patron. The Bay to Birdwood run is a South Australian major event, which last year celebrated its 30^th anniversary. Problems during the first run in 1980 led the committee to request a one-way section through the Hills, and this was approved by the Tea Tree Gully council for the second run in 1982.

The traditional run for pre-1956 vehicles has continued to enjoy the one-way section, which drastically lessens problems that would otherwise be encountered by vehicles of different eras and hill climbing ability, for example, overheating as a result of being impeded by slower vehicles where it is impossible to overtake. The alternate year Bay to Birdwood Classic, introduced in 1997 for later model vehicles, initially enjoyed the one-way section, but in 2009 it was removed by SAPOL because, in its opinion, the more modern vehicles in that event did not need it.

There have still been instances of radiators boiling, however. In the past two years SAPOL has voiced its opinion that the one-way section should also be abolished for the traditional run and, indeed, the event should change its route completely. I am advised that SAPOL's reasoning that passing in the right-hand lane is not utilised by entrant vehicles is a flawed reasoning. Being attuned to returning to the left as soon as an overtaking manoeuvre is complete, drivers do precisely that, leaving the right-hand lane clear for the next faster entrant. That does not diminish the need for slightly quicker vehicles to be able to pull out without fear of encountering others coming towards them in the opposite direction. I understand that the one-way section did not operate for the event this year. My questions are:

1. Given that the Bay to Birdwood run has hundreds of entrants and more than 100,000 spectators, will the minister, first, ensure that the traditional one-way section is restored for the 2012 run?

2. Will the minister ensure that the present route through the metropolitan area and into the Adelaide Hills is retained?

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) (15:32): I thank the honourable member for his question and I understand that he is referring to the Bay to Birdwood Classic run and not the Bay to Birdwood run, which is a different event.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The event that is occurring currently is in fact the classic run. I understand that it was a huge success this Sunday. I have been informed that about 2,000 entered cars in that classic run and it was a huge success and a most enjoyable day, and the weather helped considerably too. In relation to the specific questions the honourable member has asked, I am happy to refer those to the relevant minister in another place and bring back a response.