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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-09 Daily Xml
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Grievance Debate

GILLMAN MOTORPLEX

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (15:05): I rise to speak on the Gillman motorplex proposal, an excellent proposal to spend $100 million of private money at Gillman to establish a motorplex for the enjoyment of thousands of fans. This proposal began over four years ago. The proponents of the motorplex have money in the bank to build the complex. They are not asking for any money from the government, but simply for the government to get out of the road so that they can proceed with this terrific investment.

There are two main private developers involved—Mr David Georgiou from the property investment industry and Mr Bill Russo from City Dismantlers—as well as other investors. The business case stacks up and income would be generated from ticket sales, corporate boxes, signage, etc. The proponents of the motorplex have looked at a variety of sites and the Gillman site at Port Adelaide is the best. The site is owned by the state government and it is held by the Land Management Corporation, which is part of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure. The proponents would be happy to buy or lease the land at a competitive market rate. They are happy to pay on a full commercial basis, so why on earth would the government not agree?

Tailem Bend and other locations out of the City of Adelaide are not suitable in the view of the motorplex proponents. They are too far away. The site must be close to the city and the airport, where fans and competitors can easily access it, and where the appropriate infrastructure should be built. The site is also close to the water and linkages have been formed between the proponents of the motorplex and the boat racing and jet boat racing communities which are adjacent to the site. There are considerable synergies for circuit racing and for boat racing, so the two can feed off each other.

I am advised that the Land Management Corporation and the government have been less than fully supportive. I heard the minister say, in answer to a question today, 'Why don't they put a proposal together and we will consider it?' The reason is simple: that will require spending a quarter of a million dollars putting the work together without any guarantee that the land will ever be made available. You need something you can take to the bank.

So, I say to the government, give them a surety before you ask them to spend a significant amount of money doing detailed planning. This is a no-brainer. There will be people employed at such a motorplex doing everything from selling pies and pasties to working on cars and vehicles worth many, many thousands of dollars in complex motor trades. This is a terrific investment proposition. It involves private sector money. It is good fun; it is good sport; it is good business: why on earth would you not do it?

I bring to the house's attention that there are some very senior Labor people, not from Mr Foley's faction, who think it is a very good idea. For example, the federal member for Port Adelaide, Mark Butler, and the federal member for Makin, Tony Zappia.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is someone in the gallery displaying material. I would ask them to not display that or they will be removed from the gallery.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: So, Labor, again, is divided on this issue. We have Labor members from the left saying, 'Do it,' and Mr Foley from the right saying, 'Let's not do it.' The common sense of the investment stacks up. The motorplex proponents have indicated that they will be running a series of protests. I hope to table one of the biggest petitions ever submitted to the state parliament after the Clipsal weekend. They have asked fans to sign the petition during the Clipsal. They will also be running a law-abiding and peaceful protest as part of the Clipsal celebrations. Motorsport fans want their industry to prosper. Like horse racing, it is good business and it is good for the state. It is good fun and, in a city that is vibrant and goes forward, these are the sorts of investments you need to have.

Young people love them, young families love them, it is great for enthusiasts, it is great for business, it creates jobs—why wouldn't you do it? The Liberal opposition calls on the government to agree so that it can proceed.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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