South Australian businesses are the backbone of our economy. I have long been a supporter of our local businesses and can see the devastating impact that this virus is having on our business owners, their staff and our community.

During these unprecedented and difficult times, I wanted to inform you of Government support available, such as;

• Support from the Government if you employ staff, including the JobKeeper payment
• Information for Sole Traders
• Key business support contacts: ATO, Department of Treasury and Finance COVD-19 Hotline & Small Business Commissioner

Both the Australian and South Australian Governments have announced measures to support businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Given the rapidly changing nature of this global pandemic and responses to it, please refer to the website links below for the most up-to-date advice and information as well as the Government Business Hotline on 13 28 46.

As your local Member of Parliament, please feel free to contact me on 8278 5844 or via email waite@parliament.sa.gov.au at any time as we navigate this challenging period together.

Support from the Australian Government

If you employ staff, you may be eligible for:

JobKeeper payments for your employees

• If your business has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus you will be able to access a wages subsidy to continue paying your employees.
• Under the JobKeeper program, you will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum of six months.
• This assistance will help you keep staff and will help you restart when the crisis is over.

More information: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

Temporary cash flow support

• Employers will receive a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld (up from 50 per cent), with the maximum payment being increased from $25,000 to $50,000 and the minimum payment increased from $2,000 to $10,000.
• An additional payment is also being introduced equal to the total of all of the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers payments received. This means that eligible businesses will receive at least $20,000 up to a total of $100,000 under both payments. Not-for-profit entities will also be eligible.
• The payment will be delivered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a credit in the activity statement system from 28 April 2020 upon businesses lodging eligible upcoming activity statements.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Boosting-cash-flow-for-employers

Casual employees

• If you employ a casual employee and they can’t work because they become sick or need to self-isolate, or their income has been otherwise impacted by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus, they may be eligible for income support payments (also see JobKeeper payment information above)
• The Government is making these payments quicker to access by waiving the usual waiting period in certain circumstances. Information on income support is available on the Services Australia website.

More information: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19/people-who-dont-get-payment-from-us-coronavirus-covid-19

Other employees affected by COVID-19

• If your staff are impacted by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus, they may be eligible for income support payments. Information on income support is available on the Services Australia website.

More information: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19

SME Guarantee Scheme & Supporting Flow of Credit

• This will provide businesses with funding to meet immediate cash flow needs, by further enhancing lenders’ willingness and ability to provide credit.
• Under the Scheme, the Government will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SMEs. Businesses with a turnover of up to $50 million will be eligible to receive these loans.
• The Government will provide eligible lenders with a guarantee for loans with the following terms:
• Maximum total size of loans of $250,000 per borrower.
• The loans will be up to three years, with an initial six-month repayment holiday.
• The loans will be in the form of unsecured finance, meaning that borrowers will not have to provide an asset as security for the loan.

More information: https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Supporting_the_flow_of_credit_1.pdf

If you're a sole trader you may be eligible for:

JobKeeper payments

• If your business has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus you may be able to access a wages subsidy.
• Under the JobKeeper program, you will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum of six months.

More information: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

The increased instant asset write-off

• Under normal circumstances, individual assets less than $30,000 are eligible for the instant asset write off. The Government has lifted this threshold to $150,000 for assets that are either installed or ready for first use by 30 June 2020.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/instant-asset-write-off

Accelerated depreciation deduction arrangements (Backing Business Investment)

• A time limited 15-month investment incentive (through to 30 June 2021) to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions.
• Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million will be able to deduct 50 per cent of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset’s cost.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/backing-business-investment-bbi

Increased and accelerated income support

• The Government is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight.
• This supplement will be paid to both existing and new recipients of the eligible payment categories. These changes will apply for the next six months.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Increased-and-accelerated-income-support

Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries

• The Government has created an initial $1 billion support fund to provide assistance to industries and regions severely affected by the economic impacts of coronavirus.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Assistance-for-severely-affected-regions-communities-and-industries

Additional support for businesses

Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses

• There is a temporary increase to the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to statutory demands they receive.
• This includes temporary relief for directors from any personal liability for trading while insolvent and providing temporary flexibility in the Corporations Act 2001 to provide temporary and targeted relief from provisions of the Act.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/temporary-relief-for-financially-distressed-businesses

Support for existing government program participants and applicants

• If you're an existing government program grantee and have been impacted by the coronavirus, you may be eligible to seek additional time to meet your reporting obligations or to complete your project.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/support-for-existing-government-program-participants-and-applicants

Australian Taxation Office

• The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is providing relief for some tax obligations for businesses affected by the outbreak, on a case-by-case basis. Contact the ATO’s Emergency Support Infoline for businesses on 1800 806 218for more information or to request this help.

More information: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Dealing-with-disasters/In-detail/Specific-disasters/COVID-19/

Government’s Business Hotline

• Government’s Business Hotline - 13 28 46 / business.gov.au - will be expanded to provide specialist advisers and extended hours to support small and medium businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Department of Treasury and Finance COVD-19 Hotline (02) 6263 3030

• Call this line if you are seeking information about the implementation of the cash flow assistance and investment support for business (this line operates Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm AEST).

Small Business Commissioner

• The Small Business Commissioner is working with the Government, which is considering and implementing measures to support the South Australian community. Businesses facing particular issues or disputes in terms of their banks, their rental premises, suppliers or other business parties are encouraged to contact the Commissioner on 08 8303 2026 or 1800 072 722.

Fair Work Ombudsman

• The Fair Work Ombudsman has a help line to deal with pay and industrial relations matters. Call 13 13 94 or visit their website fairwork.gov.au.

Australian banks

• The Australian Banking Association has announced that Australian banks will defer loan repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 for 6 months.

For more information, see https://www.ausbanking.org.au/banks-small-business-relief-package/

• Please contact your own bank or financial institution for more information on assistance they can provide.

Continuing your business

• Learn about the positive steps you can take to keep your business operating and where to go for help.

Please visit https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/continuing-your-business

For updated information and advice on Australian Government  support measures, please visit
https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business

Support from the South Australian Government

Payroll tax relief

• 6-month waiver for all businesses with an annual payroll (grouped) up to $4 million
• Eligible businesses won’t have to pay any payroll tax from April to September 2020
• This measure is expected to assist up to 2,400 businesses and save them up to $84,000 over the six months (average saving $25,000)
• Employers with grouped annual wages above $4 million able to defer payroll tax payments for 6 months on demonstration of significant impacts on cash flow of coronavirus

More information: https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support/Economic-response-package

Land tax relief

• From July, the Government’s land tax reforms will kick in
• Under the new measures, individuals and businesses with outstanding quarterly bills for 2019-20 can defer payments for 6 months (up to 28,000 private land tax ownerships will benefit)
• For 2020-21 Land Tax Transition Fund relief will be increased from 50% to 100% based on existing relief criteria guidelines – saving some investors up to $50,000

More information: https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support/Economic-response-package

Waiver of liquor licence fees

• Liquor licence fees will be waived for 2020-21 for those hotels, restaurants, cafes and clubs forced to close as a result of new social distancing restrictions

More information: https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support/Economic-response-package

Business and Jobs Support Fund

• A $300 million fund to support individual businesses and industry sectors directly affected by coronavirus, and face potential collapse – and the loss of thousands of jobs – as a result
• For more information on how to apply for the Fund, please email: BusinessandJobsSupportFund@sa.gov.au

Community and Jobs Fund

• A $250 million fund to support community organisations, sporting, arts and recreational bodies, non-profit organisations as well as some industry sectors whose operations have been impacted by the coronavirus
• This Fund will also help with the training of South Australians seeking new skills and employment and to assist organisations meet increased demand for services including emergency relief.

• For more information on how to apply for the Fund, please email: CommunityandJobsSupportFund@sa.gov.au

Employees affected by COVID-19

• There will be a once-off boost of $500 and the bringing forward of the 2020-21 ‘Cost of Living Concession’ for households who are receiving the Centrelink JobSeeker Payment, assisting those who are unemployed or lose their jobs as a result of the coronavirus restrictions
• For eligible homeowners, their 2020-21 payment of $215.10 will now become $715.10. Eligible tenants will receive $607.60.

$350m stimulus package from the South Australian Government

• The $350 million stimulus package aims to safeguard the state’s economy and minimise the economic impacts of the COVID-19 global crisis. This state-wide response includes road and hospital upgrades, new tourism infrastructure and an expanded Economic and Business Growth Fund to support local industry.
• Projects to be funded under the Government’s economic stimulus package must meet certain criteria, including the ability to start works within a short period of time, they must be labour-intensive and/or require significant local purchasing of materials, services and supplies.
• The State Government is also working with councils to deliver $50 million of local projects that will support local jobs and local businesses.

Further information on the Economic and Business Growth Fund can be found at: https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/economic-and-business-growth-fund

For updated information on South Australian Government  support measures, please visit
https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support

Health advice

For information about how to help stop the spread of COVID-19, please visit: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+topics+a+-+z/covid+2019/novel+coronavirus

Sam Duluk MP today welcomed the announcement by the Department of Planning, Transport, and Infrastructure of the $400,000 Blythewood Road Pedestrian Crossing and Painted Median project.

This project will see the pedestrian crossing on Blythewood Road, adjacent to Scotch College upgraded to a pedestrian actuated (push button) crossing.

A painted median scheme will also be installed on Blythewood Road between Old Belair Road and Thorpe Street, which will separate traffic and provide sheltered right turn lanes into side roads, reducing the risk of rear end collisions.

“First as a candidate for the seat of Waite I fought for an upgrade to Blythewood Road, then as the Member for Waite I have worked with community stakeholders to push for and now deliver this vital project. The announcement from the Department means pedestrians and commuters in our community can get to school and work safely” said Mr Duluk.

Following completion of the works, a full-time bike lane will operate on the northern side of Blythewood Road and a part-time bike lane will operate on the southern side of Blythewood Road during peak hours.

Construction is expected to commence mid-April and be completed in May, weather permitting.

“I will continue to advocate for vital infrastructure upgrades that will make our community safer and improve traffic efficiency, such as the $20 million pledged to upgrade the Mitcham Hills road corridor” said Mr Duluk.

More information about this project can be found at www.dpti.sa.gov.au/blythewood_road

Sam Duluk MP welcomes the State Government’s announcement that they will establish a pilot to trial the use of medicinal cannabis in treatment for epilepsy in children.

The Governor’s recent speech to parliament confirmed the establishment of the trial for children who are not responding to other treatment.

“This is welcome news to many South Australians and their families who experience the chronic and debilitating health impacts of living with epilepsy”, said Member for Waite, Sam Duluk.

“For years I have been advocating for improved support for these families and have previously called for our state to consider medicinal cannabis as a treatment option.

“I hope that the trial will help South Australian children with epilepsy and will contribute to the evidence base to support the use of medicinal cannabis products.

“One in 25 people will have epilepsy at some point during their lifetime. Many are able to live full and productive lives through the use of medication and lifestyle changes.

“Positive steps towards improved care management have the potential to assist many South Australians and I look forward to the results of the pilot.”

As part of the 2018/2019 State Budget, funding for a feasibility study into the Craigburn Farm Western Bypass was allocated. This was a partnership project between the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and the City of Mitcham Council.

To view the Craigburn Farm Western Bypass Feasibility Study copy and paste this link into a web browser: https://www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/future-city/key-projects/craigburn-farm-western-bypass-feasibility-study

This study forms the initial stages for investigating the feasibility for a Western Bypass.

The recommendations from the study are not representative of the formal positions of either the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure or of the City of Mitcham.

If you would like to discuss the study, please contact my office by calling 8278 5844 or via email at waite@parliament.sa.gov.au.

The Marshall Liberal Government has announced that South Australian motor vehicle owners can now subscribe to receive registration renewal notices digitally, via email or SMS.

The new Marshall Government initiative will provide a better and more convenient service, as well as help improve the state’s environmental footprint and reduce waste.

The owners of South Australia’s 1.8 million registered vehicles with mySA GOV accounts now have the option to receive registration renewal notices via either email or SMS.

“The Marshall Government is continuing to deliver new initiatives that improve service delivery, in this case for South Australian vehicle owners,” said Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll.

“More and more people now prefer to receive their utilities bills or other correspondence digitally, whether that be email or via a text alert system.

“We are now offering a similar service to all South Australian vehicle owners to improve timely communication and provide them with a better service.

“We’ve already seen an overwhelmingly positive response since implementing digital drivers’ licence, with just over 200,000 South Australians opting in for that service.

“In fact, on average around 10,000 South Australians continue to opt in for digital licences each month.

“With around 70,000 registration renewal application forms currently being printed and mailed out on average every week, the introduction of digital notices will also help improve the state’s environmental footprint and reduce waste.

“The department will undertake a communications strategy to encourage more South Australian vehicle owners to sign up to the new digital renewal system.

“This includes promotional material included in all new vehicle registration notices, as well as a broader digital campaign on social media and at Service SA centres amongst others.”

The digital renewal notices will remind subscribers that their registration is due to expire approximately six weeks ahead and include a direct link for them to renew the vehicle registration online.

Subscribers will receive a follow-up notice during the week before their expiration, if the renewal has not already been paid.

If the registration expires, a digital notification will be sent on the day following expiry.

Motor vehicle owners who opt in to the digital renewal notice service via their mySA GOV account will no longer receive registration renewal application forms in the mail.

As of Wednesday, 11 December, 10,261 customers linked to 14,166 registered vehicles had already subscribed to receive digital notices since DPTI’s soft launch of the service last month, including 6732 new account holders. As a result, 1925 notices had been sent out digitally instead of by mail.

All new mySA GOV account holders will be defaulted to receive digital renewal notices, while existing account holders will be presented with a sign-up option on their home screen.

Customers can update their notice delivery preferences on their mySA GOV account at any time (which includes the option to unsubscribe), though they must have a verified mobile phone number recorded in their account to receive SMS notices.

Land tax payers will have access to a special hotline staffed by Treasury officials from today, as part of a suite of measures designed to inform South Australians about the comprehensive reforms, which will come into effect from July 1 next year.

Other measures include an updated RevenueSA website, featuring a link to an online land tax calculator enabling individuals and company groups to assess their land tax liability for the 2020-21 financial year, as well as the capacity to email questions directly to RevenueSA staff.

There will also be an offer of Treasury-led seminars for professional organisations, representing accountants and lawyers for example, where RevenueSA staff provide expert advice to those people who provide professional advice to clients regarding land tax.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said it was important all property owners who were land tax payers, or who might become taxpayers, were fully informed of the Government’s land tax changes and how they might - or might not - be impacted.

“Now that these historic laws have passed, we have a responsibility to ensure that all South Australians liable for land tax are well informed of what the changes will mean for them,” said Mr Lucas.

“We have implemented a range of measures designed to make it easier for individuals and companies to seek and receive the information that’s relevant to them and provide them greater clarity and comfort in relation to the reforms.

“From today, the RevenueSA website will be up-to-date with the latest information, there’ll be an online calculator so individuals can assess their land tax liability for next financial year, and we’ll have Treasury staff ready and able to answer calls via the new land tax hotline.”

The reform package – which reduces the top land tax rate from a national high 3.7% to just 2.4%, making South Australia a far more competitive place to do business, to attract investment and create jobs – will benefit 92% of individuals and 75% of company groups.  

As part of the information campaign, a letter from the Treasurer is also being sent to about 270,000 property owners (at an estimated cost of about $270,000) detailing the comprehensive changes, including revised rates and thresholds and information about the Government’s $25 million transition fund and eligibility criteria.

Mr Lucas said an inevitable consequence of this process would be that, if an individual owns multiple properties, they may end up receiving multiple letters. Unfortunately, this could not be avoided.

“Ultimately, we want South Australians to head into the new financial year armed with all the information they need when it comes to our positive land tax reforms,’’ said Mr Lucas.

To find out more about the land tax reform package or access the online calculator visit www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/LandTaxChanges . The RevenueSA hotline is 8226 3750 or, alternatively, South Australians seeking more information can send an email to landtax@sa.gov.au

The Marshall Liberal Government is inviting councils to apply for grant funding to improve our public
spaces, create more green open space and support local jobs.

Applications have today opened for the 2019-20 funding rounds of the Marshall Government’s Open
Space and Places for People grant programs.

The programs are being taken in a new direction with a greater focus on preserving and creating
more green and open space throughout Adelaide and regional South Australia.

“This is a great opportunity to green our city and to keep Adelaide as one of the most liveable cities
in the world,” said Minister for Planning Stephan Knoll.

“This fund will help to build better parks, plant more trees and increase public open space.
“Open public and green spaces are so important to the fabric and identity of a local community,
whether that’s in metropolitan Adelaide or a regional town.

“We are looking for projects that deliver this quality public open space, particularly in areas of
growth and renewal.

“Funding will be targeted for projects which also provide a diverse range of open spaces with both
active and passive opportunities and promote urban greening and climate change resilience.”

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said last year the Marshall Government invested
$13.3 million to help fund 31 projects through the Open Space and Places for People programs.

“We are continuing to create more open green public spaces throughout our city and regions to
improve liveability,” said Minister Speirs.

“The Marshall Government is growing Adelaide’s green credentials and through this program we will
help deliver projects that preserve and grow our open spaces.

“We are delivering Glenthorne National Park, opening up our reservoirs for recreational activities
and fixing our metropolitan beaches as we continue to make Adelaide a greener liveable city.”

Grants from last year’s round included:

• $1.9 million for the redevelopment of main street and town centre precincts in Victor Harbor,
Clare, Kingston SE and Strathalbyn;

$1.7 million for Stage One of the City of Holdfast Bay’s Jetty Road upgrade;

• $1.7 million for the City of Marion’s Tonsley Greenway project (a cycling and walking path
connection to the Tonsley Innovation District and the Flinders Hub);

• $842,000 to support the development of safe shared use trails and trail precincts in Mount
Barker, Port Lincoln and Port Wakefield.

• $577,500 for the City of West Torrens’ redevelopment of the playspace at Kings Reserve in
the western suburbs.

The Marshall Liberal Government has built a $12.9billion pipeline of infrastructure works over the next four years to create and support thousands of local jobs.

The massive $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works is the most over a four-year period in South Australia’s history, underpinning the local construction industry and supporting the almost 80,000 construction jobs in South Australia.

The record infrastructure spend comes as the first sod is being turned today on the Paradise Park ‘n’ Ride that will create 78 full time equivalent jobs.

Since March 2018, the Marshall Government has secured billions of dollars for key road and infrastructure projects including;

•$354 million Regency to Pym Project;

•$220 million towards Gawler Line Electrification Project;

•$231 million Torrens Road (Ovingham) grade separation;

•$171 million Brighton Road (Hove) grade separation;

•$98 million to upgrade the intersection of Magill Road and Portrush Road;

•$61 million to upgrade the intersection of Cross Road and Fullarton Road;

•$60 million to upgrade the intersections of Goodwood/Springbank/Daws Roads;

•$35 million to upgrade the intersection of Glen Osmond Road and Fullarton Road;

•$19 million to upgrade the intersection of Main North Road and Nottage Terrace;

•$19 million to upgrade the intersection of Grand Junction/Hampstead/Briens Roads; and,

•$13 million to upgrade the intersection of Main North, Kings and McIntyre Roads.

•$200 million Joy Baluch Bridge Duplication Project;

•$122.5 million Port Wakefield Overpass and Duplication Project;

•$250 million to upgrade the Princes Highway;

•$143 million for road upgrades, including additional overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing;

•$125 million for the Eyre Highway to upgrade South Australia’s section from Port Augusta to Perth –including $32 million to upgrade Eyre Peninsula Roads;

•$87.5 million to upgrade the Sturt Highway from Renmark to Gawler;

•$62.5 million to upgrade the Barrier Highway from Cockburn to Burra;

•$92 million Victor Harbor Road Duplication; and,

•$55 million Horrocks Highway Corridor Upgrade.

“The State Liberal Government is investing a record $12.9 billion in infrastructure to build a stronger economy and create more jobs,” said Premier Marshall.

“We’re not just building roads, we’re also building schools, hospitals and affordable housing – our infrastructure build underpins a host of sectors within our economy and will improve the lives of everyday South Australians.

“There is more infrastructure work in the pipeline than ever before, and this massive investment will underpin thousands of construction jobs for years to come.”

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said the constructive working relationship with the Federal Government had paid dividends for South Australians.

“We are delivering billions of dollars to build for new road and infrastructure projects that will create jobs, reduce travel times and help save lives on our roads,” said Minister Knoll.

“By working constructively with the Federal Government we have secured billions of dollars to bust congestion in metropolitan Adelaide and fix over 1,000 kilometres of regional roads.

“We are also delivering key public transport projects including more Park ‘n’ Rides and the Gawler line electrification project, as well as big regional infrastructure projects like the Port Wakefield Overpass and Joy Baluch Bridge Duplication projects.

“Over the coming years we are going to see a transformation on South Australian roads as we upgrade intersections across the city to reduce travel times and fix our country roads.”

Member for Hartley Vincent Tarzia said the local community would be delighted to see works start on the long-awaited Paradise Park ‘n’ Ride.

“In a massive win for the local community, the Paradise Park ‘n’ Ride will now have 818 car parks, exceeding our election commitment of 775 spaces,” said Mr Tarzia.

“In addition, provision has been made for 20 motorcycle and 32 bicycle parking spaces.

“This massive upgrade will help get cars off the street and encourage more people to catch the O-Bahn service.”

A new app designed to help keep South Australians safe and informed during risky bushfire conditions is now available for smart phone users.

Alert SA is an emergency services smart phone application that provides timely, relevant bushfire information to communities across the state.

Based on the hugely successful Fires Near Me app in New South Wales, Alert SA combines data from the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) and the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS)and displays bushfire alerts, warnings and updates as well as Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Ban information.

Users are also able to create multiple Watch Zones, specifying areas across the state which are of interest to them.

The Alert SA app has undergone extensive user acceptance testing to ensure it is reliable and able to withstand large volumes of users during peak periods.

Minister for Emergency Services Corey Wingard said it is pleasing to have the app ready for the 2019/2020 bushfire danger season.

“A lot of hard work has gone into ensuring South Australia has an app that works and will withstand high demand when it is needed most,” the Minister said.

“With a run of hot days on the horizon it is reassuring to know there is another tool in the toolbox when it comes to keeping informed about bushfire risks.

“But it is important to never rely on just one source of information. Other channels should be used including the CFS website, social media, radio and talking to friends and family.”

The South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM) Chief Executive Dom Lane said the project team will continue to build the Alert SA app.

“We will be adding to the app to include other hazards like floods and storms and those releases are planned throughout 2020,” Mr Lane said.

South Australians can download the Alert SA app now from the Apple App Store or the google Play Store.

The Alert SA website also provides further information about the app including useful Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for users.