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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-05-31 Daily Xml
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EYRE PENINSULA

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:40): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a very important question about development on Eyre Peninsula.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.E. Gago: It would have to be fishing, wouldn't it?

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Order! Oh, sorry, sir! Sir, as you know, the Eyre Peninsula—

An honourable member interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: You practise it.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: We are working on it. Sir, as you know, the Eyre Peninsula has long been known as one of our premier places for fishing and has established itself as a prime aquaculture site to take advantage of the pristine waters of that area of our state.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: Did you write this one, John? Very well done.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: That is assuming I can write. Minister, will you advise the chamber about a recent development on the Eyre Peninsula to support the fishing industry?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for his important question and his ongoing, in-depth interest and understanding of this very important policy area. Indeed, I understand that South Australian seafood is in high demand, with the value of overseas exports averaging more than $250 million per annum. There is another good news story—the value of our overseas exports. Members in this place will agree with me that the produce coming from our fisheries around Eyre Peninsula is some of the best in the world and certainly demonstrates our credentials as a source of clean green food.

Eyre Peninsula is an exciting and rapidly developing region and is home to a community determined to attain their region's extraordinary potential. The Eyre Peninsula seafood user guide, which I launched last year, is a testament to that and today I can tell the chamber that I have recently approved a grant to help provide infrastructure for this major industry on Eyre Peninsula. I have approved a grant of just over $106,000 to the District Council of Cleve to assist the upgrading of the Arno Bay boat harbour.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Very popular! The initial construction of the harbour occurred in—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: You're all putting your bids in. The initial construction occurred in 1999, with the breakwater added in 2001, and it is well renowned for catering for recreational fishers. The facility was later developed in 2005 to assist the aquaculture industry by adding a two-vessel wharf, widening the harbour and the construction of pontoons with room for car access and parking. Since that time, the aquaculture industry has grown in importance to the economy of Eyre Peninsula, and this has meant that the council-owned facility has been significantly used. The usage of it is much higher. I also understand that it was damaged by severe storm activity in 2010.

The council has recognised the need to reinforce this really important mooring point and associated infrastructure for the use of recreational fishers and the aquaculture industry. The overall project to the value of $227,000 will see the installation of new piles to secure the walkway and fenders for the harbour pontoons. The council will contribute most of the remaining cost of the project. The partnership between council and the industry reflects the reliance of the fishing industry on this facility. I understand that the shore and sea-based aquaculture businesses will share the new facility with charter boats and recreational fishers once completed. I understand they plan to complete that in 2013. The upgrade of the boat harbour will greatly benefit the local aquaculture and rec fishing in Eyre Peninsula.

The fine reputation Eyre Peninsula seafood already enjoys should experience, I hope, a quantum leap forward with these new additions. With its pristine seas far from large population centres, its sustainable harvesting and its world-class clean, green practices, Eyre Peninsula seafood certainly has a very successful story to tell.

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