STATE Opposition leader Steven Marshall failed to commit funding for the Penola bypass as an election pledge when he visited the town last week.
Despite promising a step-up in infrastructure funds, he said the project would have to be weighed up against other state priorities.
Coonawarra’s rich wine sector, tourism and the stalled bypass development were addressed by Mr Marshall during his whirlwind visit to the region.
With Coonawarra vines affected by potentially devastating frost damage last month, discussions with Mr Marshall regarding cuts to the water allocation plan were high on the agenda of the area’s concerned viticulturists.
Balnaves of Coonawarra viticulturist Pete Balnaves urged Mr Marshall to commit to opposing cuts to the allocation plan to help tackle the problem.
Mr Balnaves explained the chilled cold air mass from another region caused the black frost last month, with overall damage hard to determine at this stage.
“This is due to the dry land mass north east of us which makes it very patchy when causing damage,” Mr Balnaves said.
“It is tricky to determine the final impact on the vines as they are partial burns.”
In response, Mr Marshall said discussions were continuing with local grape growers as to what their priorities were.
“They have raised with us concerns regarding the water allocation plan and we are taking those suggestions very seriously and in a respectful, considered and intelligent way,” Mr Marshall said.
“It is now time for us to consider those proposals and come back to the local growers.”
When discussing the ever-topical bypass project, Mr Marshall said the Liberal government was injecting dedicated money into road and infrastructure upgrades.
“The bypass project should have been funded a long time ago – the Federal Government had its money on the table, but Labor has never had this as a priority for South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
“That is why we have committed 30pc of all mining royalties going forward to our Royalties for Regions fund and we will use that money to leverage federal and local government funding for projects like the Penola bypass.”
The fund will deliver an estimated $750m over the next decade.
The State Opposition leader cited the Penola bypass as an example of key productivity and safety-enhancing projects eligible for funding under the scheme.
“Our regions need safe and efficient infrastructure, roads in particular, to support the contribution they make to our economy,” he said.
“This commitment establishes a dedicated state funding stream to fund ongoing maintenance and minor projects for regional roads and other infrastructure.
“As most of the mining and petroleum production which generates this income occurs in regional areas, it is only fair the regions get a reasonable share of this benefit.”
But he stepped away from an outright pledge to fund the project, stating it was still in the consideration phase with meetings ongoing with Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi, along with a range of projects across regional South Australia ahead of the next election.
Mr Marshall also took the time to visit the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre during his stopover, praising the facility and encouraging tourists to stop and experience the rich history on offer.
“Mary MacKillop College is in my electorate in Dunstan, so it was fantastic to visit as there was a connection between the facility here in Penola and my electorate in Adelaide,” Mr Marshall said.
He spoke highly of the impressive tourist attractions in Penola and its unique location surrounded by vineyards and other agricultural properties.
“That’s why I try and get out to the local regions so often and I have made four trips to the South East so far this year,” Mr Marshall said.
“It is not only a very attractive part of our state, but it is also an extremely productive part.”
