Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-29 Daily Xml

Contents

PORT ADELAIDE REDEVELOPMENT

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:35): Will the Minister for Urban Development and Planning provide an update on steps this government is taking to entrench Port Adelaide and LeFevre Peninsula as a key strategic industrial precinct for our state?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:36): The government has a long-term strategic vision for Port Adelaide, and that vision is apparent—

The Hon. B.V. Finnigan: Does it include rusty sheds?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: No, it does not; that is in the opposition's vision. Our vision is apparent in the millions of dollars of investment already made in Port Adelaide, including:

the Port River Expressway bridges;

the Marina Adelaide marine industrial precinct at Largs North;

LeFevre Peninsula rail freight corridor upgrades;

the deep sea grain wharf, a grain terminal and the deepened Outer Harbor shipping channel;

Techport Australia—maritime defence precinct;

the Port Waterfront Redevelopment project (minus the rusty sheds); and

electrification of the Outer Harbor rail line and extension of a light rail service to Semaphore.

This government is not shortsighted when it comes to developing policies that provide long-term benefits to this state by underpinning that with a solid economy. Long-term vision requires elaborate planning. That is why I authorised the publication this month of an updated development plan for northern LeFevre Peninsula. This proposed rezoning will help drive Port Adelaide's continued transformation into one of South Australia's key industrial and job-generating precincts.

The northern LeFevre Peninsula, which encompasses Outer Harbor, has been identified by this government as one of three key areas for industry in this state due to its already significant export role and its proximity to rail, road and port facilities.

The rezoning proposed by the ministerial development plan amendment will assist in the coordinated development and strategic release of land for port and industrial activities, and to create a well-planned and integrated industrial precinct to support defence and export-related industries. This rezoning will also provide an important framework for providing the necessary infrastructure to support industry while also ensuring that adequate open space is set aside for the benefit of the local community and the environment.

The publication almost two weeks ago of the draft development plan amendment kicks off an eight-week consultation process overseen by the Development Policy Advisory Committee (DPAC). This consultation process culminates in a public meeting to be held on the peninsula. The proposed ministerial development plan amendment already follows extensive community and industry consultation by Defence SA as part of the master planning for the northern part of LeFevre Peninsula. This government, as part of the planning process, wants to ensure that the public has sufficient opportunities to have their views heard.

Although the planning process is thorough, there is always the chance that there is an issue that we have overlooked and therefore it is important to have a process that provides for community input. Public submissions will be received until 27 November 2008, with a public meeting held at the LeFevre Community Centre, 541 Victoria Road, Osborne, at 7pm on Thursday 18 December 2008. Copies of the ministerial development plan amendment are available at Planning SA and also online on the Planning SA website.

I urge interested members of the public, community and industry groups to obtain a copy of the draft and provide their views to DPAC. Of course, there will be those who are opposed to any development, whether it is Port Adelaide or 'Port Anywhere'. There are those who want to hold back the economic growth of this state, but this government believes that it is important to establish a framework that identifies the job-generating employment plans required by business and the supporting infrastructure necessary to support the industry concerned. That is because this government is committed to raising living standards and providing a sustainable and prosperous future for South Australians.