Regional Housing

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of regional housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Yesterday, the ABC reported that regional housing shortages are being exacerbated by the lack of essential infrastructure, such as sewerage, water supply and power. Kingston District Council has said that such infrastructure projects will be multimillion dollar ventures that are far beyond councils' financial capacity to deliver.

The National Regional Housing Summit last year heard evidence that small towns have plenty of residential land available, but a lack of infrastructure has made them not ready for development. The government's own document from 2023, A Better Housing Future, states there is strong demand for housing in regional towns and, according to data from the Valuer-General, the median house prices for regional SA have increased by 14 per cent over the last 12 months. My questions, therefore, to the Minister for Regional Development are:

1. What communication has the minister had with these regional councils?

2. What action has she taken to ensure they have the infrastructure they need, or is this just another case of 'that's not her job'?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for his question. He asked what engagement I have had with councils and I am pleased to say that I engage very regularly with councils across the state, whether that be through formal forums, and that could include things such as our country cabinet forums, through one-on-one meetings or other mechanisms.

I think it is something the Malinauskas Labor government has taken a strong lead on in terms of addressing the housing crisis. We established the Office for Regional Housing vey early in our term and of course the things that that office is looking at include those very matters—the infrastructure. As a government we have been looking at those now for several years.

A number of initiatives have already been announced. Of course, we have a vast state, but to mention a few: over on the Eyre Peninsula they are facing severe threats to their water supply, with the basin getting to unsustainably low levels, which is why there is going to be a desal plant finally constructed on the Eyre Peninsula—incredibly important for water security for existing residents, not to mention expanding developments. I think there is a strong focus from this government. I am pleased that we work as a team across this government, because we are keen to be able to deliver for all South Australians. We have a strong focus on our regional communities and will continue to do so.