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.

Health care for patients who are ready to leave hospital but not quite ready to return home will be turbo-charged with a $30 million funding boost as the Marshall Liberal Government continues to reactivate the Repat.

The extra $30 million will provide dozens of jobs during construction works and create facilities for people with dementia and care transition requirements.

Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said a 12-bed specialist ward for older patients with complex medical care needs will be created, as well as a 26-bed care transition facility, to create a South Australian hub for people living with dementia and those transitioning to home or an aged care facility following acute care treatment.

“Some of the State’s most vulnerable patients with complex care needs are currently being cared for in hospitals, which we know is often not the most appropriate place for their care,” Minister Wade said.

“We are investing more in the reactivated Repat site to create a dedicated ward that provides specialised treatment for older people with acute medical conditions.

“By refurbishing and modifying Ward 20, we will provide a 12-bed ward that will move these complex patients out of general hospital wards so they can receive more appropriate support and care.”

Ward 20 on the Repat site will be reconfigured into two six-bed pods to provide the specialised treatment of complex dementia patients who are assessed as having acute medical conditions.

Funding will also go towards the refitting of heritage wards for the construction of 26 care transition beds, which form part the first phase of works to be completed next year.

This will allow for the future redevelopment of the Specialist Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Services.

This takes the total investment from both the Marshall and Morrison Governments on the Repat site to almost $110 million.

Minister Wade said the repurposed Ward 20 will be located alongside the new 18-bed Neurobehavioral Unit and the 78-bed HammondCare Dementia Care Facility at the Repat.

“With dementia rates rising more than 12 per cent over the past five years, we are committed to creating a hub that provides the absolute best care for all dementia patients,” Minister Wade said.

“The Dementia Care Facility, the 12-bed ward, and the Neurobehavioural Unit for the most complex dementia patients will create a cluster of dementia and older person health care services at the Repat.

“By saving the Repat, the Government has been able to provide additional capacity in the health system and help us move the patients currently stuck in general hospitals to more appropriate care.

“We are improving South Australia’s health services to ensure all patients with dementia receive the care they need, in the most appropriate setting.”

Of the $29.8 million capital funding, $9 million is new funding for Ward 20, and the additional $20 million for refurbishments and site works is reallocated from savings from other health projects.

Ward 20 will transfer services at Noarlunga Hospital to take advantage of co-location and provide specialist services for people with dementia.

The refurbishment and modification of Ward 20 is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

CFS and Bushfire Season

Mr DULUK (Waite) (15:38): Today, I rise to talk about the Country Fire Service and the vital role that it plays in keeping our community safe, especially during the bushfire season. In recent days, we have been dealt a timely reminder of just how dangerous bushfires can be, with fires all across the eastern seaboard, as well as here in South Australia, especially in Port Lincoln. I would like to echo the comments made by the CFS and remind everyone how important it is to be bushfire ready and of the steps that we can all take to ensure the safety of our families and our community.

In my own electorate of Waite, we are fortunate to have the fantastic team of volunteers from the Sturt CFS group keeping us safe this bushfire season. Members of the Sturt group stop what they are doing and give up their own time to assist others, day after day, week after week, year after year. The Sturt group recently sent a contingent to New South Wales and Queensland to help fight the bushfires over there. I understand, unless I am corrected by the Minister for Emergency Services, that over 200 South Australians have gone to the Eastern States to assist in that most important task, and that is obviously to fight the fires over there. A contingent from Belair and Eden Hills stations from my Sturt group have recently been in Port Lincoln as well helping the community of the member for Flinders.

Under the leadership of group captain Dale Thompson, the Sturt CFS group have been vocal advocates for bushfire safety and how families can prepare to ensure that their properties are safe as possible this bushfire season. This week Sturt CFS group posted an important reminder on its Facebook page that I would like to share here today. It says:

We are incredibly fortunate in my community to have avoided a major bushfire since the 1950s. We were unaffected by the devastation of Ash Wednesday in 1983 while many other areas were not so lucky.

This has led to many residents thinking our area is not a major risk, but this is not the case—our area has plenty of fuel that would ignite in the event of a fire, and a fire will eventually happen.

The Sturt CFS group is urging residents to clean up their properties to mitigate the risk of a fire.

It's everyone's responsibility to make sure their property is not a fire risk, and failure to properly clean up may put others in danger [and indeed the whole community].

Taking the time to clean up your property is a small price to pay for the safety of your family and neighbours, and if you are unable or unwilling to clean up, there are plenty of people who can be hired to do it for you.

I urge residents in my community to heed the advice of the CFS. The CFS also has a simple survival plan and a nine-step program for surviving a bushfire. These include having a five-minute bushfire plan; talking to your family, neighbours and friends about that plan; having flexibility in your plan; clearing around your property; having an emergency kit ready; knowing when to leave and where to go; listening to the weather and knowing when total fire bans are; subscribing to the CFS warning emails; and checking the radio, website, social media and news updates.

Increasing bushfire safety awareness is important and now more so than ever. As a recent CFS survey found, more than 40 per cent of young people were not bushfire ready, and just 16 per cent of 18 and 19 year olds were adequately prepared for a bushfire. Research conducted by the University of South Australia also found that 55 per cent of people living in bushfire danger zones would choose to wait and see instead of evacuating in the event of a bushfire.

The advice that my community constantly receives from the government and the advice that the CFS provides to South Australia is to leave and leave early in the event of a bushfire, and in those catastrophic fire days as well be on high alert and be prepared. More importantly, to do the right thing for yourself and for the community you live in because we just cannot rely on the CFS to be bushfire prepared. We need to be bushfire prepared as well.

The Marshall Liberal government takes bushfire safety very seriously, and of course we respect our CFS. This has been reflected in some of the recent funding announcements we have allocated to emergency services, including $5 million for the CFS project Renew, and provided a further $9.2 million to increase our state's aerial firefighting fleet.

More importantly, locally, on 23 November I once again will be hosting my CFS fundraising barbecue at Coles, Blackwood, together with my colleague the federal member for Boothby, Nicolle Flint, and the member for Davenport, Steve Murray, to raise funds for our local CFS group. I encourage everyone to come down, buy a snag, have a chat to the CFS and support a great community and a great organisation.

Road safety improvements in the Mitcham Hills Road Corridor are one step closer with the award of a planning and concept design tender to SMEC.

The State Government released a tender last month for planning and concept design works to upgrade the corridor, to improve safety and bust congestion.

The following junctions within the Mitcham Hills will be a focus:
 Old Belair Road and James Road
 Main Road and Russell Street
 Shepherds Hills Road, Brighton Parade and Waite Street

Community consultation will form an important part of the planning and concept design phase to ensure local residents and commuters have an opportunity to have their say on possible traffic solutions.

In the coming months the community will be invited to provide feedback through letter drops, surveys and information sessions.

Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said the local community would play an important role in the design process.

“If you regularly travel on Old Belair Road or James Road to get to work, to get the children to school or to get to the shops, then we want to hear from you so that together we can make the commute safer and easier for all motorists,” Ms Flint said.

“We know that local hills residents struggle to get onto Old Belair Road from James Road in morning and evening peak hour and that’s why we are fixing this intersection as part of our broader commitment to the Mitcham Hills Road Corridor.”

The Mitcham Hills Road Corridor will be upgraded thanks to a $40 million joint funding agreement between the Morrison and Marshall Liberal Government.

Member for Waite Sam Duluk said there was strong support within the local community for an upgrade to the intersection of Shepherds Hill Road, Brighton Parade and Waite Street, as well as other junctions along the road corridor.

“Local residents consistently raise the issue of safety and congestion at the intersection of Shepherds Hills Road, Brighton Parade and Waite Street with me and as someone who travels through the intersection every day, I know how dangerous and frustrating it can be,” Mr Duluk said.

“I look forward to working with our community to help inform the upgrade of this intersection, as well as the Main Road and Russell Street junction, as part of our $40 million joint state and federal commitment to fixing roads in the hills”.

After the planning and concept design phase has been completed, upgrades to the Main Road and Russell Street junction, the Shepherds Hill Road, Brighton Parade and Waite Street intersection, and Old Belair Road and James Road will be delivered to improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

ENDS.

Mr DULUK (Waite) (15:31): Twice in two days I agree with the member for Giles. I rise to speak about dementia, a disease that we all hope never crosses our paths. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that many of us will have to face dementia or will know someone who will be crippled by dementia at some point in our lives, whether it is a loved one or ourselves who fall victim and are inflicted by this disease.

Dementia is a term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses that cause a progressive decline in a person's functionality. It is characterised by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking skills that affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's, as many know, is the most common form of dementia. It is prevalent in our community and it is the second leading cause of death in Australia. In Australia, and very much so in South Australia, we have an ageing population, so we need to ensure that we have services in place to adequately care for anyone who has this illness.

Raising awareness assists to remove stigma and allows people an understanding of what someone is going through after a dementia diagnosis. People with dementia deserve to live with meaning and purpose, and we all have a role to play in ensuring that they do. No matter what stage they are at in their life, everyone deserves to be treated with respect and care. People living with dementia, along with vulnerable elderly people, should not be ostracised and should be part of the community. We were all outraged in this place and across the state by the lack of care at the former Oakden facility, which closed in the dying days of the former Labor government.

Since then, SA Health has been working towards implementing recommendations following the release of the Final Report of the Oakden Report Response Plan Oversight Committee. One of the key recommendations was to include the development of a neurobehavioural unit to provide specialist care for people living with the most extreme behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. I am proud to say that the neurological unit is being built on the former Ward 18 site at the Repat. It is part of the Marshall Liberal government's commitment to reactivating the Repat.

I was very proud to be part of the announcement of works for the construction and redevelopment of the Older Persons Mental Health Service at the Repat and the creation of South Australia's first dementia village. It was great to be at that launch with the Premier, who I know has been a key part of ensuring the reactivation of the Repat strategy.

Of course, the Minister for Health and Wellbeing in the other place, since the time he was a shadow minister and right up until today and I know well into the future, is going to ensure, together with my federal colleague Nicolle Flint, the federal member for Boothby, that the Repat is reactivated. I really must thank the Morrison federal government for providing much of the funding that is being seen and spent at the Repat site. Unfortunately, my other two colleagues who have been critical in supporting the reactivation of the Repat, the member for Elder and the member for Davenport, could not be there on that occasion.

This was the first significant demolition of works at the Repat as the precinct continues to be revitalised, with construction beginning inside the current C Block building. The C Block building will be the permanent base of the Southern Older Persons Mental Health Service community team. This is the first step towards providing the very best older persons mental health and dementia care in South Australia. The community mental health team is currently operating from a temporary location on site, while the first lot of construction works to refurbish and repurpose C Block is underway.

Families with experience of caring for someone living with extreme forms of dementia were consulted about what service should be included. Having people with lived experience participate in what new facilities are going to look like in South Australia is vitally important. The village has been designed to maintain a sense of self, home and community for people living with this terrible condition. There will be flexible spaces that allow families to be together, good connections between indoor and outdoor spaces and the creation of shared space that supports that safe interaction.

Agreement with the preferred private partner for the dementia village is to be finalised by the end of the year. The Marshall Liberal government is putting the best services possible in place for those living with dementia because we know that it is so important. More importantly, it is so important for us and for my community that we continue to reactivate the Repat as we do. It is fantastic to see the Repat being used as a hub for caring for those with dementia in our community.