Question Time

Adelaide Beach Management Review

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Attorney-General, as the representing minister, on the Adelaide Beach Management Review.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The opposition has been made aware that the coastline of West Beach is now a destination for South Australian high school science students to look at examples of poor beach management and the impacts of beach erosion. They are instructed to take photos of erosion as well as rip rap and metal struts supporting important infrastructure. They are asked to think about the environmental degradation of our metropolitan beaches, as well as beach safety. So my questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister inform the chamber when the completed Adelaide Beach Management Review will be released?

2. Does the minister believe that all options considered by the panel at final assessment were viable, costed and contained a known sand source?

3. What messages does the minister believe this two-year process sends to our coastal communities, considering no new science has been considered?

4. In the context of the current review, does the minister believe the southern pipeline between Kingston Park and Glenelg works effectively?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:20): I thank the honourable member for her questions. In relation to her first question, the review has been completed and it is being considered by government now. It is a complicated area and there is complicated science that needs to be further investigated. In relation to question 2, as I just mentioned, there is further work to be done that is ongoing at the moment. In relation to question 3, it absolutely indicates that the government is taking it seriously, and that is why we have conducted the scientific review and have taken the time to consult with community. In relation to question 4, the pipeline in the southern beach cell is just one of the options that is being considered.