HOUSING SA

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:41): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion a question relating to public housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: In 2011, the City of Playford partnered with the state government's Northern Connections to commission a pre-feasibility study into urban renewal opportunities within Playford's older suburbs: Elizabeth, Elizabeth Park, Elizabeth East, Elizabeth South, Elizabeth Vale, Elizabeth Downs, and of course Elizabeth Grove, the home of DrugBeat.

Housing SA was part of the steering committee. SGS Economics was appointed to carry out the study and reported in September 2011. The report noted that only 42 per cent of residents in the study area aged over 15 are in the workforce, and 23 per cent of dwellings across the study area consisted of social housing. The report noted that Housing SA's asset portfolio is almost fully depreciated.

Housing SA undertakes maintenance on a 'fix on fail' basis and no investment in upgrading dwellings is programmed for the future. Structurally unsound housing stock is demolished prior to sale to prevent future inhabitation through private rental arrangements. At its 27 March meeting, Playford council called for the transfer of all SA public housing assets in the study area to the Urban Renewal Authority and the suspension of the sale of Housing SA stock.

I ask the minister: will the government commit to urban renewal in the Playford suburbs urban renewal area and, to that end, accede to the Playford council's request to transfer Housing SA stock in the area to the Urban Renewal Authority and suspend the sale of public housing properties in the Playford suburbs project area until an urban renewal strategy for the area is settled?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The report he referred to has been referred to the Urban Renewal Authority and, as such, I will refer his question to the Minister for Housing and Urban Development in the other place and bring back a response.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Dawkins has a supplementary.