CITY OF ADELAIDE PLANNING

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:42): My questions are to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, representing the Premier. With regard to any proposal to develop the land between the rear of Parliament House and the Festival Centre, can the Premier advise:

1. Whether the land will be sold to a successful tenderer at market value or less than market value, or even given to the developer?

2. Whether the land will be leased to a successful tenderer at market rental or less than market rental?

3. Whether the government would intend to commit to lease the whole, or predominantly the whole, of any commercial office accommodation provided by a developer?

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) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions, and I will refer those to the relevant minister, or ministers, in another place and bring back a response. Just very briefly, this government has really gone to the most extraordinary lengths to encourage development within that Riverside precinct, right around to the Brompton development. This government has really gone to the most extraordinary lengths and achievements to develop a housing residential development there next to the Parklands. We have put a tram down there as well to connect that through the Parklands around to North Terrace.

Of course, we have the marvellous Royal Adelaide Hospital site going up there. It is remarkable to see the work going on there now. The SAHMRI site is an absolutely awesome building, and of course it is great to see the developments there at the Convention Centre nearing completion and recently the opening up of the proposals for the Riverside development. We know that the Casino is looking at the potential to do some developments there, and if we go around to Adelaide Oval we see the truly remarkable work that is being done there. It took vision and leadership by a strong government to invest in that vision and to deliver that, and we can see that a great deal of work has already been achieved on that ground. There has been an enormous amount of infrastructure investment, and we can look at the number of cranes on our horizon.

We know that our construction industry has had many challenges of late, but these government projects have been critical to assisting our construction industry, and all the run-offs from that, in ensuring ongoing work in that sector—our builders, concreters, tilers, plumbers and electricians. These developments provide critical work for this sector, and this government has provided investment initiatives to ensure that economic development. It has huge potential. As I said, it is a government that has shown real leadership and vision that has been able to deliver that, and it continues to deliver that.

An honourable member: What about the question?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: As I said, in terms of the detail of the questions asked, I am happy to refer those to the relevant ministers in another place and bring back a response.