River Murray Ferry Services

The Hon. M. EL DANNAWI (15:14): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister inform the chamber about the recent announcement to secure ferry services in the Murraylands and Riverland?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:15): I thank the honourable member for her question. South Australia has 12 free River Murray ferries which operate 24 hours a day/seven days a week from Lyrup to Narrung. The River Murray ferry services provide vital transport for locals and visitors alike. Their importance to the community was particularly highlighted during the 2022-23 floods when many ferries had to close due to safety issues with high waters. This resulted in extended detours, often resulting in many hours of extra travel time for residents.

The Malinauskas Labor government understands the importance of regular ferry services to our river communities. That is why the government has committed an additional $37.4 million over the next 10 years to protect our state's vital River Murray ferry services. This brings the state government's total investment in the River Murray ferry services to over $110 million. Without this funding boost from the Malinauskas Labor government, our state's river communities would have risked downgrades in ferry services and potentially reduced operating hours, which would put at risk vital connectivity for those residents, because, after all, the ferries do not just provide transport for locals and visitors, they are vital to communities for both emergency and health services, education, work and transport of freight. They are a lifeline to residents and the additional funding ensures the role of the ferries in regional resilience continues into the future.

I am very pleased that we have been able to announce this funding boost as the River Murray communities and the region continue to rebuild and strengthen. It is also important to mention that this funding boost supports local jobs, with ferries involving approximately 70 full-time equivalent jobs. The new up to 10-year contracts, being an initial five-year term with the option for a five-year extension, begin on 1 November this year.

The new contracts include Mannum, both upstream and downstream ferries, with Murrundi Ferry Services; Waikerie with Kingfisher Ferry Services; Lyrup also with Kingfisher Ferry Services; Purnong with Little Ferry Services; Wellington and Narrung, Little Ferry Services; Tailem Bend, Murrundi Ferry Services; Walker Flat, Little Ferry Services; Morgan, Kingfisher Ferry Services; Swan Reach, Little Ferry Services; and Cadell, also Little Ferry Services.

The government continues to work with existing and new contractors to ensure the transition on 1 November is seamless. Current ferry services will continue to operate as usual throughout that time. I was very pleased to be able to be in Mannum talking with local people about the ferry services last weekend and I welcome the additional funding to support these vital services.