Kangaroo Island Ports Upgrade

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:35): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the minister update the chamber about the Kangaroo Island ports upgrade project?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (15:35): I thank the honourable member for his question and interest in this project. This has been of special interest to Kangaroo Island residents and visitors and the broader South Australian community, and I am pleased to share with the chamber that the Malinauskas Labor government's upgrades to the ports at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw are now complete.

These upgraded ports mean safer and more efficient infrastructure to support ferry services between Kangaroo Island and the mainland. As a vital link for cars, freight and passengers travelling to and from Kangaroo Island, each year the Kangaroo Island ferry service carries over 500,000 passengers, more than 146,000 cars and 14,000 freight vehicles. I am advised these upgrades ensure that this essential service continues to meet the needs of our community and the South Australian economy.

The improvements include a fit-for-purpose facility designed to support an increased number of ferry services, faster turnaround times, and enhanced safety for passengers and crews, especially during adverse weather conditions. That is great timing, considering South Australians can now secure one of 30,000 travel vouchers for their summer holiday in the expanded round of the popular government-led travel voucher program Coast is Calling. This round will expand to include the Kangaroo Island ferry, for the first time, to support local industry and the community. Save the date: there will be a public ballot from 1 to 3 December, with the ballot draw on 4 December, for the period of travel between 5 December and 26 April.

These port upgrades will also accommodate SeaLink's new and larger vessel, which we have been advised will arrive in June next year. While it is disappointing to hear of the delays, our focus has been to provide confidence and certainty in terms of what is happening in regard to the arrival of the ferries. In the meantime we have been able to step in, as a government, and ensure that Kangaroo Island residents start to see the benefits sooner.

Since I have been in this role I have been able to sit down with SeaLink and work through how we can get cheaper fares made available earlier. The current ferries will continue to operate, keeping tourism flowing and supporting local businesses, but we are bringing forward the Resident Vehicle Saver Fare originally planned to come in when the new ferries arrived. From 1 November Kangaroo Island residents will be able to book a vehicle on the ferry for just $30.35—a saving of nearly $50. This fare will be available on two morning departures from Penneshaw and two evening departures from Cape Jervis.

We also recognise the challenges our farmers have been facing during the drought, and that is why we have worked with SeaLink to keep livestock freight fees at a reduced rate of $39.60 until the end of 2026, I am advised, even after the new ferries arrive. This fee change, that was signed in 2021, will now be phased in to provide time for the industry to see how the new drive-on and drive-off ferries will work.

These measures provide certainty for residents and industry as we head into the busy farming and tourism season. The $73 million upgrade has supported around 135 full-time equivalent jobs each year throughout construction, boosting local employment and strengthening our regional economy.

I would like to also acknowledge the hardworking member for Mawson from the other place, Leon Bignell, for his sincere and dedicated advocacy and service to the KI community. We know how important this service is to local families, businesses and farmers, and that is why we are proud to deliver these new fit-for-purpose ports for Kangaroo Island and the South Australian community.