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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-06-04 Daily Xml
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RIVER TORRENS LINEAR PARK

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:39): Will the Minister for Urban Development and Planning provide details of any new funding arrangements for the River Torrens Linear Park, and has he seen the report that suggests the government plans to fence off this important river flowing through the heart of Adelaide?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:40): I am delighted to inform members that the state government has decided to provide $850,000 to eradicate safety black spots along the 35-kilometre length of the River Torrens Linear Park. So, when one adds the $100,000 already earmarked for improvements to the River Street section of the Linear Park at Hindmarsh, one will see that the government has committed almost $1 million in the first part of this year to upgrading this important public asset.

This additional funding for the Torrens River safety initiative was prompted by a detailed safety and risk assessment of the Linear Park commissioned by the South Australian government and the Local Government Association after two tragic drownings. I take this opportunity to thank Wendy Campana and the other members of the Local Government Association for their support in ensuring that governments at the state and local levels responded in an effective way to these tragedies.

The new spending announced last month to tackle safety black spots along the river trail also builds on the $3 million previously provided by the state government through the Planning and Development Fund to improve the Torrens River Linear Park. Both the state government and local councils share a common objective in that not only do we want to maintain this special Linear Park that connects the Adelaide Hills with the sea but we also want to improve the level of safety for all users.

It is, of course, impossible to remove all risk from a watercourse without destroying its intrinsic natural beauty, and members of the public will still need to exercise caution when using the trail, particularly in areas with steep banks. However, there are measures that can be taken along the 70 kilometres of trails (it is a 35 kilometre park with trails along both sides) that will ensure a higher standard of safety for pedestrians and cyclists using the pathways and bridges.

The 35 kilometre trail running along both sides of the river crosses nine council boundaries and comprises land owned by the state, local government and private individuals. The safety and risk assessment conducted on behalf of the state government and the Local Government Association examined the physical condition of the path alignment and width as well as the path surfaces, slopes, gradients, cross falls, batters and banks, steps, stairs and ramps.

After consideration of that report by local councils, and based on advice from the Public Space Advisory Committee, the government has decided to provide open space funding to fix a number of black spots identified as high priority risks along the length of the river. Except for a $60,000 joint contribution from the City of Charles Sturt and the City of West Torrens to replace the Kanbara Street footbridge at Flinders Park, the state government will carry the full cost of these necessary upgrades.

The latest safety upgradings identified by the assessment report and local councils build on the extensive work already carried out on sections of the River Torrens Linear Park by this government through open space grants. Funds provided by the state government include:

$845,000 for the Seaview Road underpass at Henley Beach South that links the River Torrens Linear Park and Adelaide's Coast Park;

$1.5 million for the upgrading of the Underdale section near the old UniSA campus;

$575,000 for the purchase of land along the Felixstow section; and

$100,000 for recently approved improvements along the River Street section at Hindmarsh.

I would like to point out that this list does not include the money provided by the local government bodies themselves, many of which contribute up to 50 per cent towards the cost of these important public infrastructure projects.

The Rann Labor government has now invested more than $37 million from the planning and development fund to encourage local government bodies and community groups throughout the state to develop open space in their local area for recreation, walking and cycling. When matched by local government contributions, that is a large sum of money being spent throughout South Australia for the provision and improvement of public space for the benefit of all the community. Apart from improving safety aspects along the River Torrens Linear Park, the work to be carried out by the eight councils is consistent in delivering the South Australian Strategic Plan's objectives of improving wellbeing through the provision of quality open space.

The Hon. Mr Wortley asked whether I had seen reports about the safety initiative which has characterised this spending as evidence of some sort of nanny state mentality which will lead to the fencing off of the river. I believe that is a gross misrepresentation of the government's intention. Of the 70 kilometres of trails alongside the river, only a few lengths of fencing will be required, and only where the safety assessment has identified a very high risk. The Linear Park consists of two banks sloping down to a river and, therefore, a level of danger is inherent in that natural state.

However, many of the safety black spots can be addressed by widening pathways, by restoring and replacing bridges, by changing the camber of the trail and providing appropriate resurfacing rather than the holus-bolus erection of fences and guardrails. There is no intention by this government to fence off the Torrens. That would be an overreaction and would be at odds with the natural character we have strived to preserve along the 70 kilometres of trails. However, if there is something the state government and local councils can do to improve the safety of the park, without detracting from its intrinsic natural beauty, we would be foolish not to take those steps. If the removal of safety black spots along the River Torrens can save just one life or prevent one nasty accident, I think it will be money well spent.

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