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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-16 Daily Xml
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MARLA INFRASTRUCTURE

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:20): I seek leave to ask the Minister for State/Local Government Relations a question about regional infrastructure.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: It is a question about regional infrastructure, and I thought they might be interested. South Australia's Strategic Plan has a key objective of building communities, including regional areas. Ensuring regional infrastructure is adequate now and in the future is important for linking rural communities. Infrastructure in more remote communities is important in ensuring that health and other services are available for community members. Will the minister advise the council of what the government is doing to support the Marla community?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:21): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am pleased to advise that I recently had the pleasure of meeting members of the Marla community, a community in the state's Far North, as well as members of the Outback Areas Community Development Trust (to which I have previously referred), when I officially opened the newly refurbished Marla airstrip.

The formal completion of the upgrade of the Marla aerodrome brings to a close a process that began in the 2004-05 financial year, when the Outback Areas Community Development Trust successfully applied for funding under the Australian government's Natural Disaster Mitigation Program. Funding secured from the Australian government was more than matched by this state government. A local contribution (required under the scheme) was provided by the Outback Areas Community Development Trust on behalf of the Far North communities. All up, over $228,000 has been spent on this project.

Before the upgrade, the Marla airstrip was a dirt strip which was often susceptible to flooding. The Marla Progress Association volunteers have worked very hard in the past to maintain the airstrip to ensure it was always prepared for use by northern communities, and the people concerned should, of course, be commended for the many years they have provided this very valuable work. I am pleased to advise that the refurbishment of the airstrip included the installation of solar-powered runway lights.

Apparently, before those lights were installed, local residents were required to go out and light little fires along the edge of the airstrip. It was some way out of town, so people had to hot-foot it out of town to make sure that the lights were lit. Great stories were told about some of those occasions when some of those fires got away from them. These people were indeed very pleased to have solar-powered runway lights installed. There was also the installation of a solar-powered lit air stocking pole, the improvement of the access road that links the strip with the Stuart Highway, and the sealing of both the taxi-way and apron, together with 400 metres of the main strip. So, quite a lot of work has been done.

I am happy to inform the council that this important work means that this strip is now available 24 hours a day and in almost all weather conditions. The strip is regularly used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service for clinics and emergency clearances from those local communities. I was very pleased that the Royal Flying Doctor Service was conducting a clinic that day and was there at the airstrip for the opening, and I was delighted to be able to inspect its vehicle. The level of technology that is now incorporated is really incredible.

I place on record my congratulations to the Outback Areas Community Development Trust and the Marla Progress Association for the work they have done in ensuring that our communities can be protected.

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