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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-11-11 Daily Xml
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HARBISON, MR M.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:17): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the City of Adelaide a question about the Right Honourable Lord Mayor Michael Harbison.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: We all know the City of Adelaide is special for South Australians, holding a particular place in all our hearts, but it is also special for another, lesser-known reason. One of those things that differentiate the City of Adelaide from other councils is the fixed term for the office of Lord Mayor. Will the minister inform the council about some of the achievements and contributions of the Lord Mayor as we bid him farewell?

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 for the City of Adelaide) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for his question.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: This Saturday will not only be the day of our traditional Adelaide Christmas Pageant, but it will also be the last official day at work for His Worship Michael Harbison, Lord Mayor of Adelaide. There have been many occasions where I have worked with Michael and have built up an excellent and productive working relationship with him. As Lord Mayor he has had to balance very difficult issues of creating a busy and vibrant capital city, complete with the sophisticated services and facilities that we expect, yet at the same time ensuring that we keep a measure of that small-scale charm and intimacy that we value about Adelaide.

His commitment towards revitalising the city as the heart of South Australia and pursuing mixed use developments has been key to attracting and creating opportunities for residents, workers, students and visitors in conjunction with the state government. This commitment is paying dividends. For example, the number of people who work in the city has increased from 90,000 to 130,000 during Michael's term as Lord Mayor. The estimated number of city residents in June 2010 was 21,200—a 60 per cent increase from the 2001 population. The number of students enrolled in city-based education institutions has increased from around 50,000 in 2001 to over 80,000 in 2009.

Michael Harbison can also point to many other significant achievements during his term as Lord Mayor. There is the renovation of North Terrace to the point that it has become a star in its own right in our festival program through the Northern Lights project. As usual, there was the standard barrage of criticism before the project was finished—the sky was going to fall in—and we heard all the whingers and moaners, but to his credit Michael stood by the plan and the result is clearly a triumph, with North Terrace now providing a stunning introduction to the city's cultural and educational institutions.

Another design-related achievement worthy of accolades is the Rundle lantern project, wherein a distinctly functional-looking car park at the end of Rundle Mall—in fact, I always thought prior to its changes that it looked like one of those live cattle boats—has been turned into a striking visual landmark every night. The carbon neutral, solar powered, digital canvas of the Rundle lantern has already won a number of awards and seems set to become an Adelaide icon. All the more satisfying is that most of the Rundle lantern's design, including electronics and construction, has been sourced locally.

During Michael's term he has also overseen the construction of the new Adelaide Central Bus Station and common ground facility between Franklin and Grote Streets, as well as the commencement of a staged rejuvenation of the former Balfour's site with residential accommodation, which is bringing the city's long dormant west end to life. Michael has also been a key driver of the council's strategy to provide leadership in addressing climate change and to promote the conservation of energy, water and natural resources.

Projects such as the extension of Adelaide's free bus service and free city bike service, as well as the introduction of Tindo, the world's first solar electric bus, are tangible examples of council providing leadership for other cities around Australia and the world. As Lord Mayor, Michael has been closely involved in the Capital City Committee, where he has worked to build cooperation between state government and the Adelaide City Council.

A recent feather in the cap for Michael came in March this year when he announced that the council had received $1 million of federal government funding to assist in the development of the integrated design strategy (IDS) for Adelaide. Through the Capital City Committee Michael has played a key role in developing the governance arrangements and establishing the strategic direction for the IDS.

This early work has laid the foundations for the IDS to be an effective way to improve the design, planning and management of the city, creating a more liveable, vibrant and inviting place. Even after he has left office, Michael's vision for the City of Adelaide will undoubtedly continue through the very important work he has contributed. I believe that at all times Michael Harbison has undertaken the role of Lord Mayor with great panache and style, and I wish him all the very best in his further and future endeavours.

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