Nicolle Flint (Boothby, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Absolutely. This will, of course, increase productivity and save people money, and we would also of course anticipate that it would stop the track being closed down for so many days in the year—reducing it from 45 days down to 20 or so, which would be a very good outcome. A special consideration is the estimated cost of $500,000 for every day that the road is closed. That is a significant financial impost. Sealing the track will save over $12 million a year.

This, of course, is also a safety issue. For our truck drivers, for our tourists and for people providing services to the mining industry it is really very important. I think that the overall savings to business and government in the operation and maintenance costs are irrefutable.

Once again, I thank the member for Grey for raising this and call on the state Labor government to take note of the prosperity that an upgraded Strzelecki Track will bring to the state of South Australia. Thank you.

Debate adjourned.

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