YORKE AND MID NORTH PLANNING REVIEW FORUM

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (16:17): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations about his attendance at the Yorke and Mid North Regional Planning Forum.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Kandelaars has the call.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: I understand that the minister recently attended the Yorke and Mid North Regional Planning Forum regarding the 2012 progress report. Will the minister provide further information on this matter?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (16:18): I would like to thank the honourable member for his very important question. I have previously informed members that, in my role as Minister for State/Local Government Relations, I have been visiting regional local government associations throughout the state. These visits give me an opportunity to talk to elected members, council staff and community volunteer groups about what issues are important to them, what challenges and barriers they face and what successes they have experienced.

On 30 March 2012, I attended the Yorke and Mid North Regional Planning Forum held in the Northern Festival Centre in Port Pirie. More than 80 community leaders met at this forum, which was jointly hosted by the central local government—

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Central local government what?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: —region—don't panic, mate, I'll get there.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: You'll find your place somewhere.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I'll get there, don't worry—the Natural Resources Management Board and—

The Hon. G.E. Gago interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: They hate it, minister—and Regional Development Australia.

The Hon. G.E. Gago interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: What can I say? As I have stated in this chamber before, if it wasn't for me being out there—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The honourable minister doesn't require any assistance from his colleagues.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: If it wasn't for me going out there, these people would have no contact with this parliament. There are many issues that they face. As we know, the potential for benefit out in these regions due to the future mining boom is massive. It is important that ministers like myself, and there are many other ministers—I understand the Minister for Tourism and Regional Development was at Coober Pedy recently, and I actually think you were there during the earth tremor that was there—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: They did. The Hon. Tom Koutsantonis is out there quite often and any minister who has anything to do—I know that there are many comments in Port Pirie with regard to how many ministers frequent the city and how much interest they take in the future of Port Pirie. That is not only true of Port Pirie but also of Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln. All of these have great potential and great futures with this mining boom.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Streaky Bay.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Streaky Bay, yes. Over the course of the day, we heard about the region's strategic planning goals and measures. Topics covered on the day included economic development, health plans, infrastructure and land use planning, natural resources management, skills development, and planning for climate change and emergencies.

I was criticised a little while ago because I made the comment on television that I need to hear about these things, about the challenges, so that, when these issues are discussed in cabinet, I have some understanding of what goes on out there and I can contribute to that debate. I think that is what a responsible minister should be doing. I know that often, when we talk about certain issues, there are contributions from five or six ministers because of the fact that they are out there in the regions and they are discussing and listening to the issues of these regions.

There is a lot of optimism out there. While there are lots of challenges, there is a lot of optimism. I often hear and talk to the various mayors, the various councils and the various agencies out there. They are working towards ensuring that, if there are any benefits out of the mining boom, they are well placed to capitalise on them. These forums in themselves play quite a significant role in trying to coordinate all of these issues which need to be coordinated.

I am very excited about the potential in the Central Local Government Region. From my observations on the day and the conversations that I have had with other participants, the event was extremely positive. We heard of the future planning of infrastructure, power, water, skill and youth. It is my intention to put the day's outcomes on the table to ensure further discussion takes place around these important issues.