EYRE PENINSULA LAND USE SUPPORT PROGRAM

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:04): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Regional Development a question regarding Eyre Peninsula.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Eyre Peninsula is a key region for the future of South Australia's mining industry, and the South Australian government continues to work to support growth in this industry along with Eyre Peninsula farmers and residents. My question is: can the minister inform the chamber about how the government is supporting realising the benefits of the mining boom for all through the Eyre Peninsula Land Use Support program?

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) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. As honourable members would be aware, the 2013 state budget delivered for our regions and our mining sector. The state government continued its support of exploration and innovation in the resources and energy sector by committing $8.6 million of new funding to these industries. Of this funding, over $500,000 has been allocated to fund the Eyre Peninsula Land Use Support program, and I am pleased to be able to update the chamber on the progress of the establishment of that particular program.

Eyre Peninsula was selected as a target region because of the existing level of resources exploration and development activities occurring in the region. However, I am advised that the model will be readily transferable to other regions across South Australia as the need arises. The Eyre Peninsula Land Use Support program will assist Eyre Peninsula landholders in realising the benefits of statewide growth in our minerals and energy resource areas.

Further, it is another way in which this government continues to ensure long-term sustainable growth of Eyre Peninsula. EPLUS—the other name for this program—will be delivered by the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy and also Rural Solutions SA, a division of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia. It is a collaborative initiative with a range of other agencies and industry stakeholders such as the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy.

The conception of the program began in June 2012 when DMITRE held community workshops across Eyre Peninsula to provide landowners and regional communities with information on their land access rights under mining legislation, regulation of the minerals exploration and mining industry, responsibilities of exploration companies under the mining legislation and the assessment and approval processes that mineral explorers and mining developers are subject to before they are able to carry out any activities.

From these workshops, DMITRE gained a firsthand understanding of the types of challenges and pressures landowners and farming communities face in relation to exploration and mining. EPLUS aims to continue this work through coordinating better relationships between exploration and resource companies and landholders and local communities, and it will build on current existing government support services to make use of the information and programs already in place.

To support the above, the program will include the provision of information aimed at increasing landholder opportunities and strategies on building resilience and community capability to respond to and benefit from multiple land-use opportunities. Shaped to suit the specific needs of Eyre Peninsula, funding will also be used on services that include a one-stop shop for mining-related information, a series of regional tailored information sessions and the development of links between landholders, communities, existing service providers, industry and government agencies.

I am advised that the delivery will commence with a formal launch in late October 2013, and I congratulate my colleague in the other place, the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, on his department and the work that they have contributed to this project. I certainly look forward to the continuing progress of this much-needed and innovative state government program.