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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-10 Daily Xml
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SOLAR THERMAL PROJECT

Ms BREUER (Giles) (15:45): Today I will speak about a world-class solar project which is touted for Whyalla. A $350 million world scale concentrating solar thermal project is proposed near Whyalla, and I am hoping that we are able to get the strongest possible state support. Whyalla has already secured a $16 million concentrating solar thermal power plant as a result of a partnership between the private sector, the federal government and the Whyalla City Council, and is now in the running for a $350 million project, which, given the technology involved, will be a world first. I am very hopeful that the Premier will get behind the Whyalla project in the same way that he has got behind the major defence project and other projects for Adelaide. We need a major lobbying effort from the Premier and the state government to secure this world-class project, but it is looking very good at present.

This project will put South Australia on the global cutting edge when it comes to concentrating solar thermal. The project will use Australian developed and controlled technology, and will use the world's largest solar dishes capable of generating temperatures in excess of 2,000°. Each dish has a surface area of 500 square metres and can generate green electricity, but they can also use their wide temperature range to support a whole range of industrial processes. The 600-dish project will provide the greatest opportunity Whyalla has ever had to diversify its economic base.

I am told that, for tourism purposes, we will attract tourists from all over the world who will be interested in looking at this project. It is also our number one economic priority at present. It is a shovel ready project that comes at a time when we are experiencing a downturn in the steel industry. Up to 200 jobs are likely to be lost at OneSteel and the construction work crew to be employed over the next two years, if the solar project gets a nod, will be 200, plus the additional ongoing jobs. The project offers a real opportunity for other companies to collocate to take advantage of green electricity and high temperatures suitable for a number of industrial processes.

The private sector consortium is looking to invest $250 million, but we do need federal support and we do need the state government to get behind the project. It is too good an opportunity to miss and it certainly ticks all the boxes. It is green energy, green jobs, Australian technology, and South Australia will be leading in this project. It is diversification for Whyalla. They all get a big tick. My congratulations to all those who have been involved in getting this project to its present stage. I am looking forward to the opening on 25 September by the federal minister, and I am also looking forward to its further expansion.

Today, I also want to tell a couple of good news stories about the APY lands and my recent trip. First, the homemaker centres. Now, I only visited two of them—one at Amata and one at Fregon—but I am consistently impressed with the work that is being undertaken in the homemaker centres in these communities. The one at Amata is run by an incredible woman called Brenda Stubbs. It is always a hive of activity. They do incredible work, particularly with the young women in the communities, but also with some of the young men. They prepare food for the older people in the community. They provide nutrition classes, etc. They are also a safe haven for people. They are clean, beautiful and well cared for. Brenda does a wonderful job in Amata.

I was also very impressed with the Fregon centre, which is run by Roxanne Colsen. She is also working extremely hard, along with her dedicated staff. They are doing similar work. One of the jobs in which they are involved is dealing with children who are at risk, particularly from neglect. They play a major role in caring for those children and providing parental support, assistance and instruction.

The other issue I want to discuss is the role of AEWs (Aboriginal Education Workers) in the APY lands—an absolutely wonderful group of dedicated hard workers who keep those schools going in those communities. Remember that when many of the children first attend school (and even later), they speak very little English. Of course, land schools are very often staffed by young teachers who are straight out of university and who do not speak Pitjantjatjara, and so, without the AEWs, we would have disasters on our hands.

These AEWs work extremely well with the students. They are always there; they are very dedicated. I pay a particular tribute to the director, Katrina Tjitayi and Makinti Minujukar, who have this wonderful way of working with their people and keeping their AEWs in full control at all times.

Time expired.

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