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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-27 Daily Xml
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ASHFORD ELECTORATE

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:35): There are a number of issues in the electorate of Ashford that I wanted to touch on today in my grievance. One of them is the issue of stormwater. Ever since I have been the member, particularly when I was the member for Hanson and then the member for Ashford, the issue of stormwater has been one that we have been concerned about. There has been a number of good works—good projects—done looking at how we can protect, particularly the plains of Adelaide, with regard to stormwater. My concern particularly is with the Brownhill and Keswick Creek catchment areas that run through the electorate.

I know that the members for Unley, Davenport and Colton have been involved with me, as has the member for West Torrens, in trying to make sure that we do have proper safety with regard to what would might be a one in 100-year flood. I notice that minister Ian Hunter is obviously having the responsibility now for this area, asking the councils on Brownhill and Keswick Creek to deliver on the many good plans that have been put in place. I think the previous minister for the environment, the member for Kaurna, was certainly involved in the very early days in trying to get this on the road. There have been a number of hiccups, particularly in getting the councils to agree to put this in place.

Despite the flood risk that we have got, there are five councils that are responsible for this catchment: Mitcham, Burnside, Adelaide, Unley and West Torrens. So far, the promise that was made in 2007 still has not been put in place. Being on the Natural Resources Committee in the last session of parliament and now being the presiding member of the Natural Resources Committee, we have received a number of submissions from various people about stormwater and stormwater catchment. Going back, I remember that this was a big issue when I was on the Environment, Resources and Development Committee at the time when the member for Schubert was the presiding member.

In terms of the Barcoo Outlet, I remember the then member for Colton, Steve Condous, saying that he would lie in front of a tractor if the Barcoo Outlet went ahead. We were all, across the chamber, joined in wanting some action to happen. The state government, as I understand it, has committed $4 million a year for 30 years through the Stormwater Management Authority. The Natural Resources Committee has heard from the stormwater authority on this issue, but so far the action seems to be reasonably limited. The minister for environment is saying we really do need to agree on the way forward, especially since the funding is allocated.

Around 7,000 properties continue to be at risk in this catchment area if there is a one in 100-year flood. This morning, Mr Deputy Speaker, you would be aware of the fact, we talked about the threat of bushfires, particularly in the Hills face area in the Adelaide Hills. I think there is also a real risk that this one in 100-year, even one in 50-year, flood, may happen. It is important that finally we do start to take some preventative action.

There is a number of natural disasters that are pending. I do not mean to be negative, but it is really important that this issue be dealt with and we do carry through the plans that have been around for at least 15 years, that I am aware of, to try to make sure that we do not put over 7,000 properties at risk, particularly the areas of Waite, Davenport, Unley, Ashford, West Torrens and Colton, just to name a few of the electorates, and probably a bit of Morphett as well. I hope that the councils do come to some agreement sometime very soon and that we do start seeing some action.

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