House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-10-25 Daily Xml

Contents

MORGAN-WHYALLA PIPELINE

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Water Security. Were sufficient replacement pipes available in South Australia when the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline burst so that repairs could be made properly? Can the minister further assure the house that the necessary ongoing maintenance will be carried out to assure people of the Upper Spencer Gulf that all steps have been taken to prevent further breakdowns?

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Small Business, Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade) (15:05): I am advised that there is absolutely no truth to the rumour that the availability of pipe was a factor in repairs at Port Augusta. SA Water advises that the large diameter pipe needed to repair the mains was in stock at SA Water's Crystal Brook depot and the smaller plastic pipe required was available from the Port Augusta depot.

As a consequence of the breach of the Morgan-Whyalla pipeline that occurred and interrupted the supply to Port Augusta, there will be an extensive review of the cause of the problem, and we can assure the house that SA Water will take all steps to ensure that that does not occur again in the future.