Northern Adelaide Plains Primary Producers

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister tell the chamber about her recent visit to producers in the Northern Adelaide Plains?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:30): I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in and support for the horticulture industry in South Australia. It's something that I know he is very passionate about and advocates on very positively and productively, on numerous occasions.

I had the opportunity to visit a number of producers on their farms last week in the Virginia area—in fact, I was accompanied by a colleague in this place, the Hon. Tung Ngo. The Northern Adelaide Plains plays a key role in the development of our horticulture industry in South Australia. This is an industry that certainly bats above its average—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —in terms of the contribution made in providing fresh fruit and vegetables—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —to this state and indeed across the nation.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Unless I am wrong, I thought the Hon. Mr Ngo asked the minister to update the chamber on her visit to the northern parts.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Ngo asked the minister to update the chamber, so the minister is updating the chamber.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I am disappointed that those opposite don't have any interest in the horticulture industry, particularly given that tonight a number of them will be attending the Premier's horticulture industry awards and dinner.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Sit down.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Point of order, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: What is your point of order?

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The minister is putting words in the opposition's mouth, and I ask her to withdraw.

The PRESIDENT: Minister, complete your answer, please.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley! I don't need your—

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I will take your advice, Mr President, but I have barely begun. I only got through my first part—

The PRESIDENT: Yes, which is why I didn't say 'conclude'.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —before those opposite decided to interject.

The PRESIDENT: Continue.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Perhaps those opposite are not aware that the Northern Adelaide Plains plays a key role in the development of our horticulture industry here in South Australia. This is an industry that certainly bats above its average in terms of the contribution made in providing fresh fruit and vegetables to the state, and indeed across the nation.

The South Australian horticulture industry—I know you are aware, Mr President, but perhaps not those opposite—contributes over $2 billion a year. The Northern Adelaide Plains horticulture region produces approximately 200,000 tonnes of fresh produce and over $300 million in farmgate value annually. Some of the produce grown in this region includes potatoes, carrots, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, capsicum, cucumber and a number of varieties of tomatoes.

During our visit, something that became very clear was the large use of undercover cropping. The prevalence of undercover cropping in this region is now acknowledged as the largest undercover cropping region in the Southern Hemisphere, with over a thousand hectares of greenhouse production. I understand the region is continuing to expand by 100 hectares a year.

There are many advantages to undercover cropping. It provides a greater level of protection to the produce in the event of a hailstorm, something which of course we have seen in recent years. It also allows for faster growth rates, increased yields and extended growing periods while maintaining excellent quality produce.

It was also good to visit Living Colour Nursery in Penfield, and I thank David Eaton, the President of the Nursery and Garden Industry, for attending and joining the tour. I also want to thank Van and Tracey Le, owners of Le Fresh Hydroponics, for the tour of their facility, where they grow cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, and for seeing the impressive work that has gone into growing their business, which now includes a three-hectare greenhouse and a state-of-the-art packing facility.

We also had the opportunity to visit Merenda lettuce, which is based in Virginia. I want to thank Anthony for the opportunity to speak about some of the current issues facing the horticulture industry. Merenda Lettuce was established in 1989 and grows hydroponic lettuce. The farm has the capacity to grow 110,000 plants, which from the time of planting can be ready for market in just three weeks. Some of the varieties include green oak, red oak, green coral, red coral and butter. I also visited Lewis Horticulture, which had previously received close to $40,000 in funding from the Department of Primary Industries for the purchase and installation of 0.9 hectares of protective permanent netting as part of PIRSA's horticultural netting program.

We also visited the Virginia Farm Produce site, which was a hive of activity. Jessica Avery gave us a tour of the site, where they are currently in the process of investing over $50 million on the site to help expand their business. Local tradespeople have been given the opportunity to work on this site, which means it will not only be a large employer in the future but is already providing significant work opportunities now for local trades.

The Farmer Group, which operates the site, has land that spans 85,000 hectares and produces a wide range of produce, while employing a significant number of people in the Northern Adelaide Plains region. The Northern Adelaide Plains feeds many South Australians through the produce it grows. It is also a key employer in the region, and I look forward to continuing to work with this region in assisting it to continue to grow and expand.