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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-06-23 Daily Xml
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BUCKLAND PARK

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:22): My question is to the Minister for Urban Development and Planning. The Buckland Park major development will provide a significant contribution to housing growth, as identified in the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide. Will the minister advise of any progress on the Buckland Park major development?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (15:22): Buckland Park is located about four kilometres west of the existing township of Virginia and is fringed by the Gawler River to the north, Legoe Road to the south and the mangrove coast to the west. In fact, for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition, it is significantly closer to the CBD than some of our current areas within the urban growth boundary such as Aldinga and Sellicks Beach. It covers an area of about 1,340 hectares, which, at completion, is expected to house about 12,000 new homes for about 33,000 residents. It is also close to a number of the growing employment opportunities for this state.

The development of the Buckland Park township has been provisionally approved, following the most stringent development process provided under the state's development laws—and that was the major project and environmental impact statement process. The approval allows the construction of the township, which is likely to be developed during the next five to six years. This stage comprises 614 residential allotments, a neighbourhood centre with a small supermarket, and six shops for cafes, doctors or dentists. The centre is planned to be expanded if the new residents need more shops and also land for a public or private school; parks with walking trails and bikeways which can channel storm and flood water when needed; two parks amongst the houses for landscaping; a display village which eventually could have 32 houses on display; a community centre; and a community bus.

A conditional development approval has been granted for a broad master plan for the site and land division for stage 1 of the development. A rezoning process for stage 1 of the Buckland Park development will establish a framework consistent with the Buckland Park master plan to access development applications for individual housing, industry and community developments within the area. The developer will need to submit further plans for future stages to be fully developed within the next 25 years. These plans will be submitted during the course of the next five years or so.

The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide identified Buckland Park as part of Adelaide's urban land supply for the next 15 years. Rather than being isolated, this proposed township is close to employment opportunities in the north and the existing services provided within Virginia.

Careful management of this rezoning process in collaboration with the community, Playford council, the developer and other private infrastructure and service providers is a priority for this government. The Buckland Park project will generate a range of economic benefits to the area, including employment opportunities during its construction as well as the new jobs required to provide various services to the township residents.

The current Buckland Park master plan, comprising 12,000 residential sites, is expected to also include a district centre, four neighbourhood centres, a medical centre, community facilities, four primary schools and two high schools by 2036, and sport and recreational facilities. These facilities will vastly expand upon the range of services and facilities currently available to the existing community at Two Wells and Virginia.

I remind members of the important environmental considerations incorporated into the Buckland Park master plan. The plan aims to preserve significant trees and, furthermore, in addition to the usual open space provisions seeks to create a large linear reserve to retain and protect the native vegetation along the Gawler River.

The proposal seeks to incorporate measures to efficiently manage water through ample use of wetlands, intermittent creeks, integration of the proposed Gawler River management and flood mitigation works, and aquifer recharge.

The project will also use treated water from the Bolivar pipeline which runs through the Buckland Park estate to irrigate, revegetate and green the open space as well as create opportunities for water-based recreation. Furthermore, the proposal seeks to incorporate environmentally sustainable measures such as passive building design, the use of solar and micro-turbine wind power, dual water reticulation systems similar to that used at Mawson Lakes, extensive tree planting and environmental restoration.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Isn't it amazing, Mr President? We have the member for Kavel knocking the government proposal for expansion up near Mount Barker. They don't want that, they don't want this. What do they want? One of these days these people opposite will have to say what they stand for. Weren't these the people who just two months ago were telling us that they wanted to be a can-do government? Apparently, the 'can-do' that Mrs Redmond was talking about was 'can-do-nothing’, or 'can-block' or 'can-oppose' or 'can-denigrate'. 'Can make sure nothing happens'—that is the sort of 'can-do' that this opposition obviously seeks—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I think their reaction today says it all. All they can do is oppose and knock.

The project seeks to incorporate environmentally sustainable measures. It also aims to re-establish wildlife habitats and protect existing woodlands. I encourage members of the public to have their say on the proposed rezoning of the Buckland Park Township. Members of the public, industry and community organisations, government agencies, local councils and other interested parties have until Wednesday 28 July at 5pm to lodge their submissions. The community consultation period concludes with a public meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday 19 August at which people will be able to speak to their submissions.

These submissions will then be considered by the Independent Development Policy Advisory Committee, which will then provide advice to me as the Minister for Urban Development and Planning in determining the final development plan amendment. Final zoning amendments will then be incorporated into the City of Playford development plan and used to assess future development applications. I look forward to—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I am pleased to have had the opportunity to provide the council with information about these important projects this government is doing. I think it is increasingly illustrated by the sorts of interjections we are getting just how bereft the opposition in this place is of any policies at all. They have no vision for our city. They have no vision for growth at all—none whatsoever. I think it is fortunate that we have a government that will continue to take decisions in the best long-term interests of this state.

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