MATTERS OF INTEREST

CITY OF ADELAIDE PLANNING

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:27): The government has clearly stated its interest in further revitalising the city precinct, the city shop trading amendments being part of that objective. My interest here though, is not to list the many projects and initiatives but to look at some of the views of the opposition, and others, on the issues surrounding the rebirth of the city.

The Hon. Robert Lucas's second reading opposition to the Statutes Amendment (Shop Trading and Holidays) Bill was predictable, and while he may share enthusiasm for the intention of the bill, his inability and that of his party to compromise and effect a realistic and fair outcome suggested little enthusiasm by them for positive resolution. Eighty thousand shoppers (or whatever the figure is) for the Easter public holiday shopping days is strong proof of public interest; $30 million dollars of Christmas-like spending over the last holiday break, according to Theo Maras, is something the Hon. Robert Brokenshire should ponder in his thoughts on representative democracy and the shop hours debate.

Contrary to the view of the Hon. Terry Stephens in one matter of interest, the last 10 years of this Labor government have seen significant revitalisation of the city. Those improvements are self-evident. Invigoration of the city is (seemingly) important to the opposition, but look at the comments of the current opposition leader, the Hon. David Ridgway, on Radio FIVEaa on management of the City of Adelaide and the rejuvenation of the Parklands when he noted, 'little things the government can do right now'. Those little things being: fixing up a dilapidated kiosk as a coffee shop or generally supporting business owners in the city precinct.

I suggest, and this is not taking his remarks out of context, there is something surreal and contradictory about his comments in light of their stance on the shop trading improvements in the city. Little things will happen when big things are accomplished. What about the big things the government has already implemented? We are informed by the same radio station that the Adelaide City Council has little or rare contact with the member for Adelaide. It should also be pointed out that the opposition had costly and, some would say, loosely costed, extensive plans for the city, one being a new stadium, a plan that evidently did not exist according to the opposition deputy leader. Their position seems to be more defined by politics than policy.

In the stoush over the shop trading and holidays bill, we had an opposition willing to play politics on an issue that has been festering for years, as discussed in an editorial in The Advertiser. The Hon. Stephen Wade's view of Business SA's role in promoting the shop trading and holidays bill is interesting when he called its decision-making process undemocratic. Business SA quite obviously saw the importance of this small measure to further open up the city. Perhaps Business SA is disenchanted with the opposition's negativity. Most certainly, the opposition is peeved by the independence of Business SA in seeking a sensible compromise over shop hours in the city.

I note with interest the budget measure regarding the abolition of stamp duty on apartments in the city centre when taken off the plan. We are also seeing renewed interest from investors in building new apartment towers now that approval for restrictions for high rise buildings has been removed.

According to one media report, $500 million of new commercial building projects has been proposed in the first months after height restrictions were removed. As announced in the press, the Chinese development firm Daton is moving to build Adelaide's second tallest building, a residential tower in Flinders Street. According to this report, the new regulation regarding height of buildings will see a growth in future investment given that taller buildings are now more economically viable.

The change in shop hours, the rebuilding of the Adelaide Oval, the Riverside development, the new RAH, and the health and medical research institute, to name a few projects—the very popular trams, opposed as we know by the opposition—are important blocks in the strategy to further the growth and relevance of the CBD. To conclude, the move by the government in cutting the liquor licensing fee and introducing legislation to promote laneway bars and venues, together with the big ticket items underway, show that the government has got the big and small about right.

Time expired.