Adelaide City Council

The Hon. S.L. GAME (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, the Hon. Clare Scriven, representing the Minister for Local Government, regarding the Adelaide City Council.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: On 11 May, a Sunday Mail report carried warnings from Hutt Street business owners of a possible mass exodus of traders should on-street car parking be reduced as part of a $12 million Adelaide City Council revitalization project. As reported, the council has previously announced plans to revamp several main streets across the CBD and North Adelaide, including O'Connell, Hutt, Gouger and Hindley streets, plus Light Square.

The Sunday Mail said these projects are focused on making the CBD more pedestrian and bike friendly, but reduce the number of on-street car parks and restrict traffic flow, negatively impacting local businesses. Decisions on these projects will be made by the council's elected members, who gained their position as a result of the less than 9,000 votes received in the council's 2022 elections. My questions to the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Local Government, are:

1. Given that less than 9,000 people voted in the 2022 Adelaide City Council election, what is the government's plan to ensure better representation among the thousands of people who frequent the CBD daily but do not and cannot vote in the election?

2. Does the government concede that effectively discouraging car parking in the CBD has a negative impact on business and subsequently makes South Australia a less attractive option for investment?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:09): I thank the honourable member for her question. I am happy to refer that to the minister in the other place and bring back a reply.