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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-05-19 Daily Xml
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Davenport Electorate

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (15:15): I rise to discuss a handful of matters important to my community. My community in the electorate of Davenport and thousands of visitors to the area have been enjoying the Happy Valley Reservoir since it opened last year. The beautiful Happy Valley Reservoir is home to some incredible wildlife, including a huge kangaroo population, other native species and more than 90 species of land and waterbirds. Visitors can take in the wildlife while walking, riding, fishing or kayaking in this gorgeous part of the world. I particularly recommend stopping by Signatures Cafe, a coffee van run by local Flagstaff Hill resident Anne-Marie Thornhill. Anne-Marie makes a mean soy chai and is always set up—

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hold on a second, just stop. Members on the left—

Mr Speirs: We'll continue our conservation about reservoirs outside.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think the member for Davenport deserves the courtesy of being heard.

Ms THOMPSON: I will go back a second so that we can respect the local business owner in Flagstaff Hill the opposition leader clearly has little respect for. I particularly recommend that visitors stop by—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order: standing order 127, reflections on other members.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I must confess that I was speaking to another member of the opposition and I did not hear the comment. I really cannot make a ruling, so, member for Davenport, continue.

Ms THOMPSON: I particularly recommend that visitors stop by Signatures Cafe, a coffee van run by local Flagstaff Hill resident Anne-Marie.

Mr Gardner: An excellent suggestion.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Morialta!

Mr GARDNER: I am cheering, sir.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Do not interrupt, please. Member for Davenport, continue and you will continue uninterrupted. The next member to interrupt her will leave the chamber.

Ms THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I highly recommend that people stop by the fantastic coffee van at the Happy Valley Reservoir, Signatures Cafe, run by local Flagstaff Hill resident Anne-Marie Thornhill. Anne-Marie makes a fantastic cup of coffee and is always set up in a beautiful part of the reservoir with a gorgeous view for people to enjoy. The reservoir is accessible via a car park off Chandlers Hill Road and then there are—

Mr PISONI: Mr Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention to the status of the house.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will make a ruling. It is technically correct, but it is also a break in convention. I draw your attention to the members of the opposition. You might have your own speakers interrupted as well.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is grievances.

Mr Pisoni: Don't try and rewrite history, mate.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Are you reflecting on my ruling, member for Unley?

Mr PISONI: No.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you.

Mr Whetstone: He just asked the question.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey can leave for 10 minutes.

The honourable member for Chaffey having withdrawn from the chamber:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: A quorum is not present. Please ring the bells.

A quorum having been formed:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Davenport, continue your grievance. Can members please either take their seat or leave the chamber. The member for Davenport will continue uninterrupted, please.

Ms THOMPSON: The reservoir is accessible via a car park off Chandlers Hill Road and then there are various pedestrian gates dotted around the perimeter. One of these pedestrian gates located along Happy Valley Drive, near the Manning Road roundabout, has become an extremely popular entry and exit point with people parking their vehicles along the verge at times and on the other side of Happy Valley Drive.

It was not long before my community started to notice some serious safety concerns. People were dashing across the road with children and bikes in tow, at times even lugging kayaks across this 80 km/h section of road where there is no safe formal pedestrian crossing. I have been advocating for safety improvements at this location since long before being elected to parliament. The initial response has been to lock this gate until a safe solution can be found. Whilst the community was disappointed to find that the gate was locked, they understand the safety issues and are glad that it is being rectified.

I am pleased to inform the community that the Department for Infrastructure and Transport is working with the City of Onkaparinga to provide a safe crossing point here so that the gate can be reopened. I understand that this work is being undertaken over the coming few weeks. I will also speak with the council in regard to parking provisions or restrictions at this point.

Further to this, the community has also requested additional gates, particularly on the O'Halloran Hill side. The way it is now, some families who live right across the road from the reservoir are having to drive to get there, as there are no close or safe access points. I have been advocating to SA Water about the possibility of opening additional entry points and hope to report back to the community soon.

The community has also raised concerns about being locked in the park when the gates are closed in the evening. There have been a few stories of people who have indeed found themselves in this predicament. I have spoken with the great staff at SA Water who have improved signage reminding people of closure times and promoting the after-hours phone number that can be called in case of emergencies. I will continue to advocate for ongoing improvements to this beautiful part of our neighbourhood and I encourage members of our community to continue to bring forward any concerns or new ideas.

We are also very lucky to have the Glenthorne National Park in my electorate. There is still much to be done at this site. Right now, they are busy working on a huge nature play space, thanks to a $2 million investment from the City of Marion. This play space will be incredible. It is on track for completion in the next couple of months.

I would like to acknowledge Jared Eaton and Grant Pelton from the Department for Environment and Water, who are overseeing the works at Glenthorne. They walked me over the site and explained the fantastic biodiversity work, significant landscaping and the playground works that are currently underway. I also acknowledge the Friends of Glenthorne who have contributed greatly to the planting and conservation efforts.

With the addition of Glenthorne, as well as the new soccer facilities and the international BMX facilities, Majors Road is becoming quite the hive of activity. It is great to see that the long overdue reconstruction of the road is almost complete. It is fabulous to learn that the Marion council intend to build a shared-use path along Majors Road, making the facilities far more accessible for our community.

Last week, I had the pleasure to meet with students of IQRA College, the Islamic school on Majors Road. They raised the issue of safe access to the national park from their school, which is located on the other side of Majors Road. I have written to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport regarding possible solutions and consideration of the speed limit across this stretch.

Finally, while we are talking about Majors Road, I would like to remind the community that an elected Albanese government at the federal election this Saturday will mean we can deliver the much needed on/off ramp from the Southern Expressway to Majors Road. This project is one that the community has been calling on for years. The project would be delivered fifty-fifty by the state and federal governments.

Time expired.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call the member for Morialta.

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