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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-04-07 Daily Xml
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BAROSSA VALLEY

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (17:15): A few weeks ago, the Premier announced that he would investigate implementing legislation to allow for a statutory line to be drawn around the Barossa Valley to protect it for future generations. Again today, the Deputy Premier mentioned it during question time, and also a few minutes ago in this house. The Premier tweeted on 9 February:

I've asked John Rau to look at ways that we can protect the unique identity and integrity of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale...we will look at special legislation. We must never allow the Barossa or McLaren Vale to become suburbs of Adelaide.

Last Friday, the Deputy Premier spoke about this proposal to draw a statutory line around the Barossa to protect it from urban sprawl at a forum organised by the RDA Barossa, in the Barossa, and it was entitled 'Can we have it all?' He explained that such a line could not be altered by the minister once implemented, and if changes were required, they must be debated and passed through the parliament.

The minister challenged the audience to think about whether the community would like to see such boundaries drawn, and any decision would need to be consistent with the lifestyle of the people of the Barossa Valley. I agree with the concept—and the reason I mention it now is that there is likely to be a fair bit of public comment about it—of a statutory line being implemented across the Barossa Valley region to protect it from urban sprawl and to maintain the integrity of the region. However, I would like to see more detail of the plan before pledging my full support for it.

I know that this is a big move and obviously it will not be supported by everyone. The minister's comments at last week's forum have received widespread coverage in the local media this week, and I wait with interest to see what the community's thoughts are also. I am also very cognisant of what The Barossa Council's stance is, and no doubt it would also affect the Gawler council—and I note the previous mayor is sitting here today—because it does affect everybody. We must ensure that any statutory protection measure serves to protect the valley but does not impede upon the existing lifestyle and activities of residents. I will be very interested to learn more about the proposal, and I have indicated to the minister that I would like to receive a briefing on the matter as soon as possible. Also, when we see the words 'world heritage listing', I do raise my eyebrows and say again that that is a totally different category and a totally different issue. I do not know how you can world heritage an area but, if it does what the community wants, we can certainly look at that. That is certainly another issue that needs further scrutiny.

On another matter, I take this opportunity to congratulate The Barossa Council on the opening next week of 'The Rex', the new recreation centre in Tanunda—the Barossa's new recreation centre. I have toured this centre a couple of times and it is very, very impressive. It has an indoor lap pool, a hydrotherapy pool, a spa, a large gym with new equipment, a new basketball court, a cafe, allied health consulting rooms, and the list goes on and on. Such a centre is well overdue and I commend the council on making the tough decisions needed to bring this project to fruition.

What has been happening is that the people in the Barossa have been going to Gawler to the STARplex centre, and it has meant a lot of business going out of the Barossa and a lot of travelling. For those people—particularly our older folk—who cannot and would not travel, now they can have it right at home in the Barossa. It is a very impressive facility. I acknowledge it has not been popular with everyone in the community because, for those who live down near Gawler but are actually in the Barossa Council area, it feels much easier to use the Gawler facility for nothing and don't have extra rates to pay for it. Of course, the ratepayers are supporting this venture, but I do think it will be a great asset to the region.

Now all we need is a commitment from the government to build a new hospital—their business case says that the Barossa needs one—co-located next to the Rex on the land gifted by the council, and the community will have a complete centre of health and wellbeing. I commend that to the community. I commend the council, and I look forward to the opening next week. It has been a long time coming and a person like me should be the first person through the door.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am sure you will be.


At 17:21 the house adjourned until Tuesday 3 May 2011 at 11:00.


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