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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-06-30 Daily Xml
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Adelaide Oval Hotel Development

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (14:18): My question is to the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government. Can the minister update the house on the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left, please! I would like to hear the question again.

Dr HARVEY: My question is to the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government. Can the minister update the house on the Oval Hotel and how it is creating jobs for South Australians?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:18): I do thank the member for Newland for his question and note his very strong support for this government's record-breaking infrastructure spend here in South Australia. One of the very early decisions that this government took was to help support the Stadium Management Authority to build a new hotel as part of the Adelaide Oval development. It is fair to say that there were some detractors at the time. There were some people stirring up the pot because they didn't like this investment. Well, the Premier and I had the fantastic pleasure last week to go and inspect the hard work and the handiwork of the Stadium Management Authority in the development of that hotel.

Again, to outline to South Australians, there was a $42 million loan provided by the taxpayers of South Australia, but I can assure South Australians that their money has been well invested and is actually providing a commercial rate of return in relation to that investment. It's not only the financial contribution that the state government and the state taxpayers are going to get back but it's the fact that we are now going to get a fabulous new asset in the heart of Adelaide, helping to improve our tourism offer here in South Australia.

There are 138 rooms, and we had the opportunity to inspect the views from even the most modest room overlooking the Parklands—really using our Parklands to the greatest extent possible to showcase them and, again, the brilliant asset that they are to the people of South Australia—showcasing that as part of this hotel development. In fact, every guest who goes up to the reception area on the mezzanine floor is going to look beyond the reception desk out across, heading east of the Parklands in South Australia.

To be able to turn around and see the cathedral at one side and then turn around to see the CBD on the other side and that beautiful vista in between and the foothills of Adelaide is a fantastic experience and one that is going to add to South Australia's tourism offer. Here we are in the middle of COVID trying to find jobs to help support our economy. We know that infrastructure projects take time to get off the ground, so having the Adelaide Oval Hotel being developed at this time, supporting up to 800 construction jobs, has been a fantastic boon for our economy.

We did make promises to the people of South Australia, and especially to the supporters of our Parklands, that not one blade of grass would be touched as a result of this development and we have kept that promise. I have quizzed Andrew Daniels and the Stadium Management Authority on a very regular basis to ensure that no part of this construction has taken place even by placing temporary equipment on the Parklands—and especially on the grassed areas—to make sure that our beautiful open public space is there, and it is protected.

The other good news is that this is a project that is on time and on budget. It is sad that with the World Cup not proceeding it won't be able to be showcased as part of that, but this is an enduring asset for the people of South Australia and one that is going to help encourage events to come to Adelaide Oval, as well as the broader public.

The great news is that as of last Thursday bookings are being taken, with a very special introductory rate, for South Australians to be able to get in and experience this brilliant new facility supported by South Australian taxpayers, supported by this government, to help grow our economy here in South Australia. This is an example of a project that had its detractors within this parliament, but this is a government that's getting on with the job of growing jobs here in South Australia and also delivering the better South Australian future that we promised at the last election.

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: Rooms for all country MPs.

The SPEAKER: The member for Lee is warned. If this continues, he will be leaving today.

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