WATARRU COMMUNITY

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:58): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation questions about the future of the Watarru community.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: The Watarru community was established in the 1980s and is one of the most remote in South Australia, located in the Great Victoria Desert in the north-west of the state. Millions of dollars worth of infrastructure has been spent on the community since its establishment. I have been advised that more recently the community store and transaction centre have both been closed, and that school attendance is close to zero. My questions to the minister are:

1. What is the status of the local school: is it open, is it staffed? If so, how many students are enrolled and how many, if any, are attending?

2. What is the current level of government expenditure in Watarru?

3. Has the $300,000 market garden failed completely?

4. Will the government continue to support this community?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:59): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions. This government has a strong commitment to the APY lands. As of 22 January this year, I am advised that there were only four residents residing in two houses at Watarru. The small size of the community and its remoteness present significant challenges, of course, for service delivery. I am advised that the school was closed in September 2012 due to low enrolments and attendance. Students who were previously going to Watarru, I am advised, are now attending school at either Pipalyatjatjara or Fregon. The store closed due to management issues and the clinic also closed due to an incident that led to the withdrawal of the service.

The community garden, I am advised, is operating. However, the garden beds have been left to lie fallow over the hot summer months but I understand that residents have been very appreciative of the gardens and the educative value they provide to them, and I am advised that the orchard is being hand-watered on a weekly basis with the assistance of a portable generator. I will continue to monitor the challenges facing Watarru and will ensure that government action is taken in the best interests of community members on the APY lands.