Statutory Authorities Review Committee: Inquiry Into Stormwater Management Authority

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (17:45): I move:

That the report of the committee on its inquiry into the Stormwater Management Authority be noted.

The Stormwater Management Authority is a statutory authority. It operates as a body for the planning, prioritisation and funding of stormwater management initiatives. It also implements the agreement on stormwater management between the state of South Australia and the Local Government Association of South Australia.

On 4 December 2020, the Statutory Authorities Review Committee resolved on its own motion to inquire into the Stormwater Management Authority, with particular reference to the function of the authority pursuant to schedule 1A of the Local Government Act 1999, the effectiveness of the authority in carrying out its function, including the application of the Stormwater Management Fund, and any other relevant matters to the operations of the authority.

During the inquiry the committee received evidence from the Stormwater Management Authority, the Gawler River Floodplain Management Authority, the Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA Division), the Local Government Association of South Australia and the Brown Hill and Keswick Creeks Stormwater Board.

Evidence to this inquiry described the current and future challenges that exist regarding stormwater management. Stakeholders spoke of the need for substantial funding required, now and in the future, for significant stormwater management infrastructure investment. Evidence received also referred to the opportunities for institutional and funding reforms in order to achieve better outcomes regarding stormwater management in South Australia.

The committee's report contained three recommendations. This includes that the Minister for Environment and Water develop a cost-sharing framework for all future stormwater projects in South Australia, including local, state and federal governments. The committee recommends that the minister establish a feasibility study into future stormwater management for the state as part of this process.

The committee also recommends that the agreement on stormwater management between state and local government be reviewed to determine whether further official collaboration between state and local government can be achieved in relation to stormwater management and strategic future planning. On behalf of the committee, I thank all the previously mentioned organisations which provided evidence to the inquiry.

I also acknowledge and thank the members of the committee for their hard work during the inquiry, including the Hon. Justin Hanson, the Hon. Frank Pangallo, the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos and the Hon. Terry Stephens. I also thank the Hon. David Ridgway for his contribution and strong interest in the inquiry while he was Presiding Member of the committee and a Legislative Council member. Finally, I wish to thank the committee's staff for their assistance. I commend the committee's report to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.