DEPARTMENTAL EXPENDITURE

106 The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (29 November 2012). Can the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion advise—

What was the actual level for 2011-12 of both capital and recurrent expenditure underspending (or overspending) for all departments and agencies (which were not classified in the general government sector) then reporting to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): As the Minister for Water and the River Murray I have received this advice:

Total capital expenditure for the South Australian Water Corporation for 2011-12 was $600.4 million, which was $75.1 million (11 per cent) less than the revised budget of $675.5 million. The underspend was primarily due to deferred timing on a number of major capital projects. These include:

North South Interconnection System Project ($16.8 million);

Paralowie Bolivar Rd Salisbury waste water trunk main rehabilitation ($12.6 million);

Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant Main Pumping Station Mechanical and Electrical upgrade ($6.7 million);

Adelaide Desalination Plant project ($6.3 million);

Christies Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade ($5.3 million); and

Deferral of other expenditure on various annual programmes ($15.0 million) and major projects ($12.4 million).

Total operating expenditure for the South Australian Water Corporation for 2011-12 was $953.8 million, which is $19.4 million (2 per cent) less than the revised budget of $973.3 million. The reduction related primarily to variances in the level of works undertaken and paid for by external parties ($19.9 million), most notably works undertaken on behalf of the Murray Darling Basin Authority being delayed due to weather conditions and high river flows. Any underspend in works undertaken for external parties are fully offset by a reduction in revenue and as such there is no impact on SA Water's profit and distributions to the government.