South Parklands Dry Zone

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Business Services and Consumers a question about a dry zone in the South Parklands.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: I think all members of this council would be aware that there has certainly been some concern and calls for a dry zone in the South Parklands of our city, not only from local residents but also from council workers, who I understand have required police guards due to the situation in that area. This is not a new issue to this place, so I ask the minister: can she please update this council on what the state government is doing to address this issue, what options are being considered, whether they include a wet zone and in what time frame will we have an announcement from state government on this?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for her most important question. Indeed, we have seen an escalation of behavioural problems occurring in the South Parklands over the last number of months, and I am very pleased to report that on 6 August 2014 the Adelaide City Council applied to the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner to establish a new dry area in the South Parklands.

I just draw people’s attention to the fact it was only in the beginning of August this year that that application was received. I can absolutely assure honourable members that the request for this consideration has been expedited. It has been taken very seriously by the commissioner and the department, and by other agencies as well.

The proposal for the dry area was to operate for a trial period of six months, 24 hours a day. The commissioner is currently consulting on the application with relevant agencies and service providers, and I believe that service providers had an opportunity to provide feedback until the 12^th of this month. What everyone is in agreement about is that there is a problem in the Parklands which has escalated.

What there is not agreement about is the way forward, and how to resolve that issue. The proposed dry zone is not supported by many of the service providers around that area, and obviously the residents and businesses in the area are wanting a dry area to be introduced. There are divisions in the community, Mr President, and it is important—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: So what’s your view?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, if you just be quiet and listen, you will hear it.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, it's a serious issue, Mr President, and I am going to some lengths to provide a very considered answer. The commissioner is continuing that consultation and putting together the considerations that have been put before him. I have also been advised that a special interagency taskforce has been established to tackle the escalating alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour in the Southern Parklands. The taskforce includes senior officials from South Australia Police, Consumer and Business Services, SA Health Drug and Alcohol Services, and also the departments for communities and also social inclusion and Aboriginal affairs.

The government remains committed to ensuring that all South Australians, as well as visitors to the state, are safe when in and around that area and when enjoying the amenities in that area, and that they actually feel safe in the city, particularly at night. I have made it very clear that our agencies are willing to work very closely with all stakeholders.

I have made it very clear publicly that we do not support measures that simply shift the problem from the Parklands to a less visible part of the Parklands or further out into the suburbs, where these people will potentially have less access to services, or just be shifted out into other council areas. I have indicated that we will work with the council, and we will continue to work with service providers and other key agency stakeholders, to try to find a long-term solution to the problem and not just shift this problem out further, sweep it under the carpet and pretend it does not exist.

One of the other considerations is the Adelaide City Council doing up a management plan. That management plan needs to address issues around displacement. They have indicated that they are happy to do that. They are working with other agencies and NGOs to ensure that displacement does not occur, and that there are real and genuine attempts to address the underlying problems rather than, as I said, just sweeping it under the carpet and sweeping it further out to the suburbs.

The commissioner is still collating that feedback. Once he has all of the submissions in, he will make a report to me with a recommendation, and that recommendation will then go to cabinet for consideration. So, although the time lines are unclear, I certainly give assurances to all honourable members that we are working very hard to expedite full consideration of not just the dry zone application but also strategies to actually address some of the underlying problems.