STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:26): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about the Stormwater Management Agreement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: The Stormwater Management Agreement between the state government and the Local Government Association of South Australia incorporates a funding commitment by the state government for a 30-year period from 2006. Within the Stormwater Management Authority Annual Report 2011-12, it is documented that the authority undertook a financial assessment on two large pending projects, being the Brownhill-Keswick stormwater project and the Port Road rejuvenation project. It was determined that if the projects proceed, it is unlikely there will be sufficient funds to fund any other capital projects of a flood prevention nature. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister confirm whether she has had discussions with the LGA regarding future funding levels?

2. Can the minister confirm whether the state government has approached the federal government seeking funding for stormwater management and flood mitigation projects in South Australia?

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) (15:28): I thank the honourable member for her questions. Indeed, the Stormwater Management Agreement is a formal agreement between state and local government outlining roles and responsibilities for funding arrangements for stormwater management and flood mitigation and provides for the establishment of the Stormwater Management Authority. I am advised that the agreement was originally executed in 2006 and includes a 30-year funding commitment from the state government which includes the provision of $4 million indexed per year.

This question really should have been directed to the Minister for Water who is actually responsible for this but, anyway, I am happy to provide what information I can. I am actually not the minister responsible for this. Nevertheless, as usually occurs in this place, the opposition failed to work out the responsible minister but nevertheless, as I said, I am happy to provide what information I can.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: As I said, I am happy to provide whatever information I can, even though, as I said, it is the Minister for Water who is responsible for this. This agreement was originally executed, I am advised, in 2006 and includes a 30-year funding commitment, which includes a provision of $4 million indexed per year. For 2012-13, the state funding is just over $4.6 million.

The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources has, I have been advised, worked very closely with the Local Government Association to prepare a draft revised stormwater management agreement. The Local Government Association, I have been advised, has approved a final draft of that revised agreement, which is now under consideration by the state government, for which the minister for the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources is responsible. It is anticipated that the Stormwater Management Agreement will be finalised in 2013 and adopted by the state government and the Local Government Association.

I have been advised that the Brownhill and Keswick Creek catchment covers land within the City of Mitcham, the City of Burnside, the Corporation of the City of Unley, the Corporation of the City of Adelaide and the City of West Torrens. These councils have primarily responsibility for managing stormwater and drainage risk within the local council areas.

Following formal public consultation and further engineering feasibility in the upper reaches of Brownhill Creek, the councils agreed to deliver the 2012 Stormwater Management Plan made of two parts, I am advised: part A, which contains the agreed works that the councils will proceed to design in readiness for construction, and part B, which will contain the ongoing investigation to determine the most effective solution for the upper reaches of Brownhill Creek.

I am advised that as part of the approval process the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board considered the plan and submitted its advice to the Stormwater Management Authority on whether the plan contains the appropriate provisions. The Stormwater Management Plan has estimated that $147.6 million would be required to construct infrastructure within the Brownhill and Keswick Creek catchment over the next 10 years.

I am also advised that the 2012 Stormwater Management Plan has been endorsed by the five councils and, on 26 February, the Stormwater Management Authority approved the plan. The state government welcomes this as a significant milestone in delivering a flood mitigation strategy to protect residents of the Brownhill and Keswick Creek catchment area.

Now that the plan has been endorsed by the authority, the state government will obviously need to work with councils to explore funding options, including assistance from the commonwealth government. The Stormwater Management Agreement between state and local governments includes a commitment for funding by the state government of $4 million per year for 30 years. As I said, it would be helpful if opposition members could work out to which minister to direct their questions. It is not rocket science.