North-East Water Supply

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Water and the River Murray. Can the minister tell the chamber how the government is investing in vital water infrastructure for residents in Adelaide's North-East?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The state government and SA Water are committed to ensuring that South Australians have access to high quality and affordable water, and we continually look at ways to improve our customers' water supply across the state.

Over the past few months, sir, if you have driven along Grand Junction Road, you may have noticed on the skyline a number of large cranes operating at SA Water's Hope Valley large water storage tank site, between Canopus and Madeira Avenues at Hope Valley. That is because we are commencing a $21.6 million upgrade program to the largest metropolitan water tank we have in Adelaide. This upgrade is part of a wider program of $89 million worth of works, which will see the refurbishment of 111 water storages right across the state over the next four years. This demonstrates our ongoing commitment, as a utility, to upgrading our infrastructure.

The Hope Valley tank is a 136-megalitre water storage facility constructed in 1955. It was roofed, I think, at a later stage, somewhere around 1971 and 1972. It is a large and impressive structure, but you would have to be on site to know that because a lot of the size of the tank is hidden underground. It has the capacity for water storage equivalent to almost 55 Olympic-sized swimming pools and is a critical asset for SA Water, providing water supply to approximately 100,000 households and businesses. The roof of the tank is supported by 117 concrete columns and associated structural elements. Condition inspections have revealed that approximately half of the 117 structural elements—specifically the corbels—are in need of replacement, as the roof is nearing the end of its asset life.

The upgrade will include demolition of the existing roof and replacement with a lightweight aluminium roof. By replacing the ageing roof we are ensuring the ongoing security of supply and water quality for SA Water customers. I understand, from my inspection on site, that they are also taking the weight-bearing away from the side of the tank and giving it its own weight-bearing structure to separate that from the sides of the tank—so they have a double protection, I suppose. I am advised that the upgrade will employ about 250 people throughout the length of the project, and works will be undertaken by SA-based construction company York Civil. York Civil has told me that at the height of construction there will be at least 75 people working on the site.

Other water storage tanks being upgraded as part of the refurbishment program include one in North Adelaide—I think it was featured in an InDaily article a few months ago—which was constructed in 1878 and is still operating well. I can tell the chamber that SA Water has undertaken a comprehensive suite of planning to ensure that works don't interrupt water supply to local residents. SA Water will temporarily supply residents in the area through an alternative part of the network which they have connected up, and will schedule works during the wetter months of the year when the demand for water from the system is obviously lower.

I also understand that the local community has been a valuable asset to SA Water in the lead-up to construction by providing constructive feedback on the project during community meetings that SA Water has coordinated. This feedback identified the importance that the local neighbourhood attaches to the visual amenity of the area and, of course, around this rather large structure. In response, SA Water has committed to working with residents in restoring and improving the site's amenity through revegetation programs and the associated landscaping works.

The upgrade of the Hope Valley water storage tank is expected to be complete by the end of the year. If any honourable members have an interest, they can look at the infrastructure upgrades being undertaken by SA Water on their website www.sawater.com.au.