Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-03-20 Daily Xml

Contents

Environment and Food Production Areas

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:18): Supplementary: has the minister done any estimation of the economic impact of this plan, and, if not, why hasn't she or her department done any modelling before announcing such a plan?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:19): I thank the honourable member for his supplementary question, or his additional question, as the case may be. There has been a huge amount of work that has gone into developing the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan. There was a draft plan released, and the Minister for Planning was involved with a great deal of consultation, as was his department. That consultation included, of course, other government departments, as well as peak bodies and many more.

I think there needs to really be a strong emphasis on how we can move forward together, both agricultural industries and housing. They are both important and I am very pleased that we have had a number of productive meetings talking about how to best move forward. I am surprised, I must say, that the honourable member seems to be implying that we don't need additional housing. He is saying that it is not important. I did hear him on the radio recently.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I did hear him on the radio recently saying that there should be—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Simms! The Hon. Ms Girolamo!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I did hear him on the radio recently, and whilst obviously I can't remember the words verbatim, it was along the lines of there should be more high rise. They should be living in high rise or medium density here in the city.

The important part of our housing plan going forward is that we are able to offer choice to people. It may well be at certain times in one's life that living in an apartment in the CBD might well be an appropriate choice. When people are then partnered and have children they may not wish to live in an apartment in the CBD. So I think it is important that we have a variety of housing styles. We are constrained at the moment and I think anyone in this chamber should be concerned about those people in our community who are finding it incredibly hard to find housing.