REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:37): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about regional development funding in the Clare Valley.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: She's rolling her eyes as she asks the question.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I wasn't rolling my eyes.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Yes, you were.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway, just sit there quietly.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: He can't see very well.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: I can see you pulling faces.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: Well, I definitely can't see very well.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Don't be baited by the Hon. Mr Ridgway.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: You're right, Mr President; I shouldn't be baited by him.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Just drink your water and sit there quietly.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: Chuck him out!

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Maher, I don't need any of your advice either. The Hon. Mrs Zollo.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: Thank you, Mr President. I do have to say that I haven't got my glasses—I left them in my office—so perhaps that was what the Hon. Mr Ridgway was talking about.

Grant funding was approved from stream 2 of the Regional Development Fund (RDF) to Regional Development Australia Yorke & Mid North to promote the premium food and wine industry in the Clare Valley. Can the minister inform the chamber of how this funding will build worldwide demand for premium food and wine products from the Clare Valley?

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) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for her most important question. Stream 2 funding of the Regional Development Fund (RDF) is aimed at providing support to leverage funds to deliver projects that develop and support the priorities of premium food and wine from a clean environment, growing advanced manufacturing, or realising the benefits of the mining boom for all. Funding in this stream is available to various stakeholders, including the South Australian non-metropolitan regional development associations.

The South Australian government is committed to ensuring that real actions from industry are driving results from the premium food and wine from our clean environment strategic priority. Our food and wine industry is a significant contributor to our state's economy and crucial to our vibrant regions; Yorke & Mid North are obviously no exception to that. In 2008-09, the wine industry was the number one contributor to the GRP in the area covered by Clare & Gilbert Valleys. I am advised that approximately $102 million was attributable to the wine industry alone.

Further, I understand that the wine industry in this region was estimated to directly employ 784 FTEs and generate approximately 412 further FTE positions in flow-on business activity. These figures are even more impressive when you realise that this is without incorporating viticulture or tourism numbers. Numbers like these are tremendously telling on how important the premium food and wine industry is to our regions.

It is my firm belief that vibrant food and wine industries help grow our regions and, of course, they are a significant player in South Australia's economy. They are vital to our state's continued prosperity and, unlike those sitting opposite, this significant industry is not only acknowledged by a Labor government, it is supported financially by our RDF grants process. This government puts its money where its mouth is when we talk about supporting South Australian industry in South Australian regions. We believe in providing funding which grows industry, business and community.

I am extremely pleased to be able to announce that the RDA Yorke & Mid North, in collaboration with the Clare Valley Alliance, has been successful in their RDF stream 2 grant application for up to $80,000 to build worldwide demand for premium food and wine products from the Clare Valley. The Clare Valley Alliance is a cross-organisation group that has come together to work with the RDA on a collaborative approach to marketing the Clare Valley.

The alliance consists of the Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council, Clare Valley Cuisine, Clare Valley Business and Tourism Association, Clare Valley Winemakers and the Clare Region Winegrape Growers Association. The alliance came together to support the development of food and wine experiences in the Clare Valley, to promote premium food and wine products made in the Clare Valley, and to market this region as one of our state's premium food and wine destinations.

The successful application will result in seven projects being funded, raising the profile of the Clare Valley and developing food and wine tourism. The project will encompass a range of initiatives and activities to assist farmers, aid winegrowers and also grow tourism, while highlighting the Clare Valley's clean green credentials.

The collaborative approach taken by the Yorke & Mid North and the Clare Valley Alliance should be encouraged. When regional stakeholders come together, we know that our regional communities benefit. I would certainly like to take this opportunity to congratulate the RDA Yorke & Mid North and Clare Valley Alliance on their partnership. I wish them every success, and I watch with interest as they roll out their seven projects.