Biosecurity Precinct

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister update the council about the recent announcement of the construction of a $50 million biosecurity precinct in South Australia?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for this question and also his long advocacy and involvement in a lot of the horticultural sector, particularly in the northern areas of Adelaide.

I recently had the very distinct privilege of being able to announce a partnership between the commonwealth and state government along with industry for the development of a $50 million biosecurity precinct to be based at the South Australian Produce Market in Pooraka. I was joined by Tony Zappia MP, member for Makin, representing the commonwealth government; the CEO and chair of the South Australian Produce Market, Mr Angelo Demasi and Ms Joanna Andrew; along with Citrus SA chair, Mark Doecke; and Tony Ceravolo from Ceravolo Orchards in making this announcement and I thank them all for their ongoing work on this project.

A state first for South Australia, the post-harvest treatment facility will provide inspection, quarantine and treatment of fruit and vegetable produce, which is vital for exporting SA's produce globally. This industry-led initiative, which has also received funding from the commonwealth government through fruit fly resilience funding and the state government through the Thriving Regions Fund, will see the construction of a facility that will provide pressure cooling and treatment technology and will be the largest scale multitreatment and inspection facility in South Australia.

Once completed, the project may unlock a potential additional $100 million in fresh produce exports over a five-year period, creating up to 172 direct and indirect ongoing jobs and assisting in cost reduction for our state's primary producers. Previously, producers have had to send their fresh produce to either Melbourne or Brisbane to be treated, which then adds additional costs for freight. The biosecurity precinct here in Adelaide will cut out a significant cost in the process, which is great news equally for producers and consumers.

The biosecurity precinct will ensure produce coming from fruit fly-impacted areas within the state is able to be inspected, quarantined and treated if required before produce is distributed to retailers across South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and overseas.

I am advised that construction of the biosecurity precinct at the South Australian Produce Market at Pooraka will commence in early 2024 and will provide a more sustainable alternative, along with the ability to increase the shelf life of fresh produce for export purposes. Having this technology here also opens the door to other potential and exciting benefits to the state, such as sectors including health and medical, space and defence. Once in operation, the precinct will allow us to inspect, quarantine and treat produce, which will safeguard our industry and ensure a stable supply chain.

Once again, I thank all key stakeholders for their ongoing involvement in delivering this project and I look forward to being able to continue to provide updates in this place as the project progresses.