Port Augusta Country Cabinet

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Gazzola has a question to ask, so please allow him to do it in silence.

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister, cool it down, the honourable member has a question for you.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Thank you, sir. Can the minister update the council on the government's recent community cabinet meeting in the north of South Australia?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for this very important question. Mr President, as you know, each year cabinet makes regional visits to bring government to those people who may not always have such a ready opportunity to meet with ministers or heads of departments to discuss important issues affecting them and their region.

Last week, country cabinet sat in the Far North of our state, in Quorn, home to the Flinders Ranges Council, a local government area and really the heart of South Australia's beautiful outback. It is also home to the Pichi Richi Railway and a frequently used location for some of our country's best loved films. In fact, I am advised that in weeks before our visit, filming had taken place for a new spin-off show based on the Wolf Creek movie, which I understand is one of John Dawkins' favourite movies.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Yes, it's a horror film. Cabinet travelled to Port Augusta prior to arriving in Quorn for the cabinet meeting proper. While there, I took the opportunity to meet with Alinta management at the site and also with staff to discuss how operations were going there in the wake of the announcement to cease operations later this year and in terms of their close-down plan and timetable.

I have made several trips to Port Augusta over the last few months, and I appreciate the opportunity to be updated directly by Alinta on the progress that they are making. I understand that some Alinta workers have already transitioned to new jobs within the same industry and that Alinta was working with staff to ensure that they had every opportunity to seek and find new employment options as operations continue to wind down at the Port Augusta Power Station. I understand that a community engagement program is being developed by Alinta, who have discussed with me that they will continue to do all they can to work with their employees and the community as they move towards their wind-down later this year.

One company that is working very closely with Alinta to benefit from their existing infrastructure is Sundrop Farms. Sundrop Farms is a developer, owner and operator of a high-tech greenhouse facility that produces high-value crops. The use of advanced technology, in particular solar thermal technology, allows them to operate their food production facilities in what is a non-traditional food growing area, such as Port Augusta. It would be easy to think that the land and climate of the region would not necessarily lend itself to high-value food production, but Sundrop Farms is using some of the newest technologies and innovations to expand their 20-hectare site to benefit the people of the area and the planet.

Sundrop plants are grown hydroponically with coconut husks, rather than soil, as a growing medium. The greenhouse coverage means there is a lower risk of pests and a reduced need for pesticides, and produce can be grown throughout the year. During a visit to Sundrop Farms I was able to see that the construction team is finalising the first of four new greenhouses and a very, very impressive solar field.

The 115-metre tall solar collector tower I think will use 23,750 individual mirrors to harness the energy drawn from the sun. This really is innovation in action and will result in many new full-time jobs in Port Augusta over the coming months and years. It is expected that once fully operational, Sundrop Farms will produce around 15,000 tonnes of tomatoes annually using solar power, sea water and natural pest management. This project is just one example of how new technologies and partnerships within regions are creating sustainable industries and providing and expanding new employment opportunities to people in the north of the state.

As part of community cabinet, the cabinet then met at the Port Augusta Secondary School for a series of one-on-one meetings with individuals and community groups to discuss key issues affecting the region. A public forum was held after that, where members of the public from the Port Augusta region could ask questions directly of ministers and chief executives. It was a pleasure to see a number of people who have a very strong interest in the area. The member for Stuart, Dan van Holst Pellekaan, was a member of the audience and he certainly is gaining a very high profile, not just in that area but across the state—a very high profile.

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire: He'll make a good minister one day, won't he?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I didn't quite hear the Hon. Robert Brokenshire's interjection, but I suspect it was something like, 'He might roll the leader one day,' but I wouldn't speculate on that at all. I am sure the member for Stuart would make a fine Leader of the Opposition one day, and even sooner than we may all think. He is getting a very high profile around the state—I repeat, a very high profile.

Also the local mayors, the Port Augusta mayor, Sam Johnson, who I speak to regularly, and the Port Pirie mayor, John Rohde, were both there. I met subsequently, after that trip, with the acting mayor for Whyalla. Pleasingly, in Port Augusta and at other events in the area, the member for Giles also attended. That was very pleasing. I was very pleased to see the acting mayor, Tom Antonio—not at the meeting; I did not get a chance to see him there, but I talked to him subsequently.

It was good to have the opportunity to speak to so many people at that cabinet meeting. As always, it was a fantastic opportunity for ministers to talk directly to members of the community, to understand issues and to look at ways where we can help.