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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-06-07 Daily Xml
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ENTERPRISE ZONE FUND

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:42): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: At the beginning of the year, the Hon. John Dawkins and I had the privilege of flying over Lake Eyre to look at the most beautiful expansion of the flood plains in this state's history, I would imagine. We also realised how vast our landscape is, seeing it from above. The vastness and rugged beauty of the area also brings challenges to the area for the provision of services—

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire: How vast is vast?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: You were supposed to be there, but you piked out on us.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: With these huge, vast areas also come some challenges in providing services to our Indigenous communities, our farmers and our miners who live in the far north of the state. My question to the minister is: how does the government assist outback communities to meet some of these challenges and to take advantage of the expected increase in mining activities?

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) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I understand he had a very exciting and most eventful visit to Coober Pedy as well. Indeed, the area that the honourable member refers to is one of outstanding beauty and, most definitely, rugged charm. I have also enjoyed visiting that area and flying across Lake Eyre.

This vast part of our state has some remarkable geological features, which have resulted in various ore bodies and mineral resources as well as reserves of gas, such as those at the Moomba gas fields. Obviously, they are a source of great opportunity for economic development in years to come. The state government has recognised that we need to help communities position themselves to take best advantage of the coming wave of mining and other related economic activity in our state through the creation of the Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback Zone Fund.

The Enterprise Zone fund is a $4 million rolling fund available over four years, aimed at capturing the benefits of growing industries to help further strengthen the Upper Spencer Gulf and outback communities. I am very pleased today to announce that $80,229 has been awarded from the Enterprise Zone Fund to Stark Aviation to help reinstate aviation fuel facilities at the Leigh Creek aerodrome by creating a 24-hour refuelling point. Leigh Creek, in the central north-west of the state, will be better placed to provide a fully functional gateway to the Australian outback.

I am advised that these facilities will be available for Adelaide and Melbourne air traffic, not just to access the SA outback but also to refuel before moving north into Queensland and even the Northern Territory. By strengthening the links between remote communities and small remote areas, we hope that their quality of life and amenity will also be improved, providing the opportunity for increased tourism coming into these beautiful areas, with the potential for economic spin-offs from that, such as increased trade and the creation of new service jobs to support tourism.

We know that aircraft tour operators will be able to be based at Leigh Creek to do things like scenic flights over Lake Eyre and the Flinders Ranges. Leigh Creek will be the preferred access point to Lake Eyre and Birdsville, most likely by local and interstate charter operators. We know that, because of the vast distances, a lot of those charter operators are only able to avail themselves of fairly limited access, so this will improve that.

Air tourism is obviously a growing industry, and catering for private commercial aircraft operators by being able to provide refuelling facilities I think sends out a very good sign that that area is open for business. It is also an opportunity for commercial operators carrying an aircraft operator's certificate to be based at Leigh Creek and operate charter and scenic flights round places like the Flinders Ranges, the outback and, as I already mentioned, Lake Eyre.

We know also that there are a number of resource development opportunities there in terms of the Leigh Creek coal mine, the high-grade zinc oxide mine nearby, and the Beverley uranium mine, so a number of mining opportunities in and around that area could also be assisted by improved access to fuel. Airport refuelling facilities also create better access for the air ambulance service or emergency help services provided by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, enabling visits by dentists, specialist doctors and allied professionals, for example, and improving services not only in that respect but also in respect of the fly-in and fly-out opportunities for employees for the mining sector.

I am advised that Stark Aviation, a company which provides aviation fuels at Parafield Airport and distributes throughout South Australia, will install the refuelling capacity at an expected total project cost of over $160,000. The project will provide refuelling capability by installing tank cubes to supply 10,000 litres of avgas and also 10,000 litres of jet A1 fuel. In relation to installation, I am advised that the refuelling facilities, comprising bowsers, hose reels, aviation filters, bond liners and swipe card readers, will include the requisite safety signage and fire extinguishers. These facilities are expected to be operational in the second half of this year.

The Enterprise Zone Fund, which is a competitive fund, supplies up to 50 per cent of funding to projects to develop community capacity and regional development. Eligible projects may come from a wide range of industry areas for projects that make a major impact by capitalising on existing competitive advantages or change competitive advantages in its favour. To access the fund, eligible organisations need to lodge their application with DTED, and they obviously carefully examine those proposals to ensure that they meet guidelines and assessment criteria and contribute to the implementation of key strategic objectives. Also, potential applicants can access guidelines and obtain further information by going online to our website.

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