Lower Lakes
The plight of the Lower Lakes continues to be the most important issue affecting our community. In January 2007 the Howard Government announced the biggest structural reform to the Murray Darling Basin in Australia’s history. The reforms included the development of a plan for the future use of the Basin to ensure that it was within sustainable limits. The recent release of the guide to the Murray Darling Basin plan is an important step in the vital process of restoring health to the Basin. I remain committed to ensuring that the reforms necessary to the Murray Darling Basin are implemented so that we can continue to use this naturally replenishing resource in a sustainable fashion. I have recently written to the Murray Darling Basin Authority urging them to schedule a specific meeting for the communities of the Lower Lakes to discuss the Guide to the proposed Basin Plan.
Digital Television Switchover
I have been contacted by many Mayo residents, whom have raised their concerns regarding the reliability of their digital television service. Many residents are experiencing a weak signal and frequent signal interference. Residents understandably hold concerns that the proposed switchover date and the cessation of analogue services will leave them with a digital service that is vastly inferior in viewer convenience to what they previously enjoyed. Given the significance of the concerns raised I have taken the opportunity to write to the Minister for Communications, seeking his assurance that digital television services will be operable in Mayo prior to the national switchover.
Sustainable Population Growth
On Thursday 10 June 2010, the Rann Labor Government released a draft amendment to the Mount Barker Development Plan causing significant concern to our local community. The amendment proposes to release some 1,310 hectares of land for development in Nairne and Mount Barker, resulting in an additional 7,000 houses. Given the significant concerns that have been raised regarding the Labor Party's set expansion targets, I have lodged a submission with the Rann Government's Development Policy Advisory Committee in order to express my reservations with the proposal in its current form. I also wrote to the Prime Minister requesting her re-consideration of the Rann Government's proposed amendment details in light of the Labor Party's proposed commitment to sustainable population targets for Australia.
Second freeway interchange
During the 2010 Federal Election, the Liberal Party announced funding for a second freeway interchange in Mount Barker. The growth that has already occurred has not been matched by investment in vital transport infrastructure causing significant community concern. Construction of a second freeway interchange has been identified as the number one priority by local councils.
Kangaroo Island Freight Equalisation
The cost of doing business on Kangaroo Island is unfairly high due to the short gap of water between it and the mainland. During the 2010 Federal Election, the Coalition announced that it would provide $100,000 to Regional Development Australia, so that further work could be completed on addressing the issue of equality for Kangaroo Island producers. I appreciate the urgent need for assistance for Kangaroo Island producers and will continue to work to ensure that the assistance that is needed is finally realised.
Verdun Rail Crossing Loop
As part of the National Railway Upgrade Program, the Australian Rail Track Corporation received stimulus money to upgrade ten crossing loops along the Adelaide Melbourne rail freight corridor. A section of rail track in the Adelaide Hills, between Beaumont and Spoehrs Road, Verdun was identified as a key location for the construction of a 2 kilometre rail crossing loop. Residents throughout the Adelaide Hills region are deeply concerned about the increased noise pollution along the corridor and the safety risks associated with locomotives being derailed and bushfires caused from undergrowth along the track.