Editorial: Water Minister Ian Hunter cannot deny SA has serious pipe problem

IT probably does not come as a surprise to Water Minister Ian Hunter’s Labor colleagues that the accident-prone MP appears out of his depth in dealing with the unending spate of burst water mains in Adelaide.

A burst water main on Marion Rd , Brooklyn Park. Picture: Tait Schmaal

It probably does not come as a surprise to Water Minister Ian Hunter’s Labor colleagues that the accident-prone MP appears out of his depth in dealing with the unending spate of burst water mains in Adelaide.

In recent months, the city’s crumbling water mains, and the attendant spouts of water high into the air, have become as common on Adelaide streets as red lights and speed cameras.

The failure of so many pipes not only damages roads and other infrastructure but inconveniences local businesses, motorists and pedestrians.

Yet, amid the chaos Water Minister Ian Hunter stands tall and proud and proclaims SA Water is doing an “incredibly good job’’.

But then he even went further saying: “We are outstanding in the water utilities in this country.’’

Mr Hunter then produced a litany of numbers that he claimed backed his rosy world view.

Today, The Advertiser reveals Mr Hunter has been, at best, selective in his use of numbers. At worst, Mr Hunter has been deliberately misleading.

The Minister was relying on a report which said SA was ranked fourth for the fewest number of water main breaks in the last six years.

That number was culled from one table in a 140-page report prepared by the Bureau of Meteorology, and released in March.

But the whole report shows SA Water’s urban services rank second worst in the country for litres lost per customer because of pipe failure, and also worst for fixing breakdowns.

In March, The Advertiser reported Adelaide was losing more than 40 million litres each and every day because of leaking water pipes.

It is apparent that the state has a serious problem and everyone can see it except Mr Hunter. Even, the normally slow-moving Liberal party has targeted the issue as one where the government is vulnerable.

With a state election now less than two years away, Mr Hunter must learn to swim in turbulent waters to save his ministerial career.

READY FOR DANGER

TODAY will be the footy clash that many Adelaide Crows fans have been waiting for since September last year, when Patrick Dangerfield revealed he would leave the club for Geelong.

Tonight he returns to Adelaide Oval to face the Crows for the first time in his new colours. There has been much discussion about whether he will be jeered or cheered. But Dangerfield should expect to be greeted with a healthy dose of boos.

For better or worse, star AFL players changing clubs will become even more frequent. It’s something to which footy fans will have to become accustomed. It cuts both ways. Carlton supporters doubtless wish Eddie Betts was kicking goals for them rather than enthralling Crows fans at Adelaide Oval tonight.

In Dangerfield’s case, Adelaide has not collapsed in a heap despite losing last year’s club champion.

New coach Don Pyke has brought an exciting brand of fast-paced football.

Hopefully, the sweetest sound for the crowd tonight will be the Adelaide club song at the end of the game, reinforcing Dangerfield’s mistake in leaving SA for the Cats.