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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-06-09 Daily Xml
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UPPER SPENCER GULF

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:40): That was a brilliant answer. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question regarding her recent visit to Whyalla.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: South Australia's seven Regional Development Australia country regions each have their particular strengths and competitive advantages, from their vast natural resources and their unique environment and landscape to their strong community spirit. My question to the minister is: can she inform the chamber about her recent visit to Whyalla in the Upper Spencer Gulf?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:40): Indeed, it is a great pleasure to be able to visit regional areas and meet with different people from the wideranging different regions that I have had the pleasure of being able to visit. On Tuesday, 31 May, I travelled to Whyalla. On this visit, I met with members of the Regional Development Australia—Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula to hear firsthand what they see as the priorities for continued development in the region. In particular, I was keen to hear how members of the RDA saw the RDA's road map for the area being translated into action and how the state government could work with the RDA to assist in achieving that particular vision.

Members may be aware that we are on the crest of a wave of economic development and, indeed, at the beginning of a new period for the state as a range of opportunities open up with the expansion of resources, energy and allied service industries. The state government has recognised the importance of preparing communities for these changes, assisting in reaping the benefits of new developments and strengthening local economies, using the $4 million Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback Enterprise Zone Fund, which is available to assist businesses, industry associations and local government in the Upper Spencer Gulf and outback regions.

We, obviously, want to make sure that the communities have the tools to make development work for them and to also assist in capturing those benefits from maximising opportunities. The Enterprise Zone Fund was an election commitment which this government is honouring. I discussed yesterday the granting of money to support the aircraft refuelling at Leigh Creek Airport. This was an initiative that was announced just yesterday.

The fund can provide up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs and can be used to improve the competitive advantage and strengths of the regions. The three main cities in the Upper Spencer Gulf—Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie—have between them, I believe, a really solid base of small to medium enterprises with the ability to participate in increased mining and energy generation activity.

The fund can help these sorts of businesses, and also Aboriginal enterprises, to grow their capacity, to provide stimulus, to generate new business activity and also to create jobs. Obviously, what we are looking for is the sustainable growth of communities. Funds like this can mean the difference between capturing or expanding opportunities for growth or, obviously, just sitting by and watching opportunities slip past.

During my visit, I met with mayor Jim Pollock and the council's chief executive officer to hear about their plans for the city. I was also able to see firsthand some of the previous investments in the region, including the Whyalla industrial estate. This industrial estate site was developed by Whyalla council with the support of a $1.5 million grant from another of the state government's successful regional grant programs, the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund. That grant was to support electricity and water infrastructure.

The 150-hectare estate provides a site close to Whyalla to attract a range of industries which could service or support mining exploration and development and seems well suited to house businesses as part of the mining value chain. I am keen to hear directly from local communities about what they see as the key strengths of their local area and how their economic development capacity can be maximised.

I am on record as saying that the ideas which will help solve local problems are more likely to come from those who live, work and breathe the area: those who know the area intimately. It is important to harvest those ideas and the local enthusiasm and knowledge to create and implement strategies for sustainable regional development into the future.

Regional South Australia is a key driver for our state's economic, social and cultural development. As Minister for Regional Development I will listen and learn from the visits I make to all seven RDA regions across the country, and the Enterprise Zone Fund is available to help realise strategic projects which can strengthen the Upper Spencer Gulf and outback communities. I urge applicants to access those guidelines (which are online), or they can contact DTED or their local RDA to explore opportunities.

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