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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-24 Daily Xml
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RIVERLAND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES FUND

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question about the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The Riverland is a remarkable region of South Australia, boasting huge agricultural and viticultural production and a wonderful tourism experience. As we have heard in this chamber recently, the State Government has committed significant funding to the region over the next four years through the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund. Can the minister advise the chamber of developments in relation to this fund?

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) (15:09): I am very pleased with the member's interest in this and, indeed, there is a great deal to be said about the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund. I had the pleasure of going to the Riverland last week to meet with businesses, industry and community—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: You didn't tell the local member you were coming, they tell me.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: That is absolute nonsense. That is absolutely outrageous nonsense. We discussed with the local member our presence in the Riverland and, in fact, I met with him the week before I went on the visit and discussed my visit with him at that meeting prior to my going to the Riverland. It is absolutely outrageous. Not only is the opposition wrong, not only is the information its members bring into this chamber completely wrong and misleading but what is more, in terms of my visiting the region, this is one of my electorates. These are my constituents. For members of this upper house, every South Australian is one of our constituents, and I have every right to visit any constituent at any time. Not only is it my right: it is my responsibility.

So, I was visiting industry and community representatives, including the RDA board and members of the Riverland Futures Taskforce. While the focus of my first visit as Minister for Regional Development was to hear first-hand from businesses and industry groups about their potential projects, I was also interested to find out what was occurring to maximise unique opportunities for the region arising from the commonwealth's commitment, as well as, obviously, our $20 million Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund.

On 11 March, a couple of weeks ago, we saw the release of the commonwealth government's guidelines for applications to its more than $1 billion Regional Development Australia. Local government and non-government organisations, as well as consortiums which include businesses, can seek funding for projects which are strategically targeted to support one or more of the commonwealth priorities of skilling Australia and lifting productivity, maximising the opportunity of broadband and sustaining our environment, social inclusion, and water and energy efficiency. In addition, these projects must fit with the strategic aims set out in the regional roadmaps created by the local Regional Development Australia organisations.

The first round for this competitive fund has now opened, and it closes in May, so there is no time to waste. This will be the biggest test to date for our RDAs. I cannot stress enough the importance of strategic whole-of-region thinking in applications so that we maximise the effect of any grants which are received. The RDA guidelines are clear that partner funding will be expected for all project grants except where extenuating circumstances prevent co-funding. Obviously, alignment of projects to give the best bang for buck is essential to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

During my visit last week I made it clear that the solutions to the issue facing the Riverland were not ones which the government would dream up; rather, they would come from the community which lives and breathes the Riverland, because that community is obviously best placed to know how to grow and develop the region. It is important that the Riverland community maximises the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund to drive new development that can deliver long-term and sustainable economic and social benefits, and we need to carefully target our inputs.

I am very pleased today to be able to announce a grant of up to $10,500 towards the cost of conducting a small feijoa trial crop. This will come out of the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund. G.M. Arnold and Son Pty Ltd is a long-standing family horticultural business operation, which some years ago began diversifying its traditional citrus holdings into more niche market varieties, and I am advised it has done so very successfully.

I am advised that feijoa—some people might know them as pineapple guavas, as they are more commonly known—are drought tolerant but obviously require water for market production. They could be an ideal crop for the Riverland, with the resulting knowledge shared with potential growers. I am also advised that commercial production of this new crop would be aimed at the domestic market, and Arnolds have already received interest from the Melbourne market.

This commitment to diversify in the agricultural sector is yet another example of using the funds to strengthen this important part of the Riverland's economy. In addition to the AgriExchange project, which I have spoken about before, I was able to announce a grant of $20,475 to the South Australian Fresh Fruit Growers Association and the SA Dried Tree Fruit Association for the New Variety Apricot Commercialisation Project. This funding will enable the preparation of a comprehensive business and marketing plan for fresh and dried apricots.

I am looking forward to seeing more applications coming in so that we can help the Riverland to help itself to prosper. I encourage organisations with an interest in developing opportunity in the Riverland to take a step to make an application. Both the Riverland/Murraylands RDA and DTED can provide information to applicants. The guidelines and the application form are accessible from the Riverland Futures Taskforce website, the RDA/Murraylands/Riverland website or the DTED website.

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