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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-31 Daily Xml
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Hahndorf Bypass

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley) (14:20): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister explain to the house the status of trees along River and Strathalbyn roads? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: On 31 August in question time, the minister stated that there will be no trees cut down along River Road or Strathalbyn Road based on his advice. Since, residents have reported that several trees have been cut down and the minister's department has also informed residents that up to 27 trees will be cut down.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:21): That is true. I did advise the house at the time that the advice I had was that no trees would need to be removed but, as the department was doing tree trimming, they came across trees that they believed were either ill or needed to be cleared. I understand—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Well, members opposite are free to move any motion they like. If members opposite think that I have done anything deliberately to mislead this parliament, let's do it.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: In my memory, there has only been one member of this house—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morialta!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —who was noted by this house for misleading the parliament. There is no-one on this side of the parliament—not once. The advice I received at the time was that there would need to be no trees removed. On subsequent advice the department felt—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —that trees would need to be removed. I understand a constituent of the member for Heysen who lives on River Road contacted the agency, contacted my office, about potential tree clearance. I understand that that constituent was picked up and shown each and every tree that needed to be cleared and there was then consensus: 'Oh well, fair enough, these trees need to be removed.'

We received all the approvals that were necessary to remove these trees and that was done on the basis of safety. The alternative is to leave trees that we know to be unsafe on the roadside. That would be what we call irresponsible.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Unley!

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