JOY BALUCH BRIDGE

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question regarding the Joy Baluch bridge.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: A ceremony was held on Friday 17 May in Port Augusta naming the Spencer Gulf bridge crossing on Augusta Highway in honour of the late former mayor Joy Baluch AM. Can the minister advise us of the details for the bridge-opening ceremony?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:54): I thank the honourable member for her most important question and her ongoing interest in this area. As the chamber would be aware, Joy Baluch AM was mayor of Port Augusta until her passing on 14 May 2013 after a very long battle with cancer. To coincide with Joy's 80^th birthday in 2012, it was decided by the Port Augusta council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, with the support of the Surveyor-General, that the previously unnamed bridge that crosses the gulf and links the two sides of Port Augusta be named after Joy to recognise her significant contribution to the Port Augusta community and her years of service in local government.

The bridge is a significant piece of infrastructure and carries National Highway 1 across the Spencer Gulf, and in so doing links Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the northern and western South Australia to south-east Australia. It has enormous national significance in connecting communities and building the nation, and truly reflects the spirit of the work Joy undertook in her community. Much like the bridge, Joy united her city, carried a great load and provided strong support for her community.

I was honoured to be asked to speak at the naming ceremony. Unfortunately, Joy passed away only a few days before we could publicly honour her at the ceremony. However, she was represented by her family and the Port Augusta council, along with an incredible turnout by the community, which I am advised numbered hundreds of the people she worked so hard to represent.

Joy was so highly regarded by the community that the night before the naming ceremony a portrait of Joy was painted onto the base of the bridge by local artists Angelique Boots and Craig Ellis and, although the portrait was unauthorised, I understand the community and council like it so much that the council has decided to discuss with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure how to preserve and protect the portrait. It is a truly remarkable portrait, most impressive, an extremely wonderful piece, so I hope they are able to preserve it in some way.

I am sure there are few honourable members here today who did not have dealings with Joy over the years. I am sure that each honourable member would very much remember their interaction with Joy; even if it was not fondly, it would be remembered vividly. Joy was known for her determination and her tenacity and, regardless of the situation, she was never shy about speaking up and never held back when working towards getting the best for her community.

Joy was Australia's longest serving female mayor, and when she became a councillor in 1970 she was only the second woman to ever be elected to the council. At the time of her death Joy had been active in local government for over 30 years, and during that time had built a reputation as a fierce defender of the interests of her community.

A former president of the Local Government Association from 2007 to 2009, she also served on the LGA state executive for 15 years, 13 of those as vice president. She consistently fought for the Upper Spencer Gulf region and was known for her passionate approach to driving her community and its economic and regional development. The Upper Spencer Gulf region is a region that I very much enjoy visiting. I enjoy getting up there, as well as to the outback of South Australia, further north of that truly remarkable and very beautiful country. I very much enjoy visiting there.

Although Joy's ill health took a toll on her, right until her passing she was a formidable advocate for the region and was a member of several committees, including being the chairperson of the Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group and chairperson of the Provincial Cities Association. It was certainly a privilege to be able to partake in the Joy Baluch AM bridge naming ceremony on behalf of the South Australian government and a great privilege to be able to acknowledge her for a lifetime of service to her community. It was certainly a very moving day for those who were able to attend.