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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-16 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:03): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: As outlined in the Governor's speech this week, our government has identified seven strategic priorities for the government's forward agenda. I am pleased today to announce the creation of an authority with a specific mandate to work on three of those key priorities—creating a vibrant city—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —maintaining our safe communities and healthy neighbourhoods, and having an affordable place to live for everyone. The government has approved the creation of an urban renewal authority to be established under the Housing and Urban Development (Administrative Arrangements) Act 1985, starting from 1 March.

South Australia has a reputation for being liveable and affordable, and we want to keep it that way. An urban renewal authority will make sure we protect and grow what South Australians love about our healthy and safe neighbourhoods, as well as adding to the excitement of our city. The new authority will work cooperatively with communities, local government, the private sector and not-for-profit sector to achieve this aim. It will have a strong focus on community engagement.

The authority will be charged with all of the residential and industrial landholdings of the Land Management Corporation. Defence SA industrial holdings will be added to this portfolio. The authority will immediately take over delivery of current state renewal projects at Bowden and Woodville West and work on the releases of new opportunities in the inner city and Marden.

It will also plan all future significant redevelopment projects of assets currently owned by the South Australian Housing Trust and work with not-for-profit organisations to strengthen the community housing sector and allow them to—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —play a larger role.

The SPEAKER: Member for Bragg, order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: These functions are about getting South Australians into houses they can afford in places where they want to live. In fact, key parts of the new authority's charter will be to increase the supply and diversity of affordable housing and to accelerate the renewal of social housing stock to improve the quality of housing. These functions are also levers to boost economic activity in the state, to create new energy in our city and to create jobs for our construction industry.

Today we have advertised for a new chief executive to lead the authority. In the interim, the Chief Executive of the Department of—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Rod Hook, will act in this role and manage the transition of staff from various agencies from 1 March. Mr Hook will also take on board responsibilities pending formal appointments.

The new authority will contain planners, project directors, land managers and urban renewal staff from the three relevant government agencies. I thank Andrew Fletcher, who has chaired the group to create the authority, and all those who have contributed to the project thus far.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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