PUBLIC LAND

In reply to Mr GOLDSWORTHY (Kavel) (23 October 2006) (Estimates Committee A).

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Volunteers, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister Assisting in Early Childhood Development): The topic of the strategic assessment of public land is an agreed item in the schedule to the State/Local Government Relations Agreement, and is currently a project under the auspices of the Minister's State/Local Government Forum. The aim of the project is to identify an effective and cooperative process for dealing with surplus and underutilised public land.

Recommendations arising from the project were fed into the review of the Cabinet guidelines to State agencies for the identification, disposal or re-development of disposal of public land.

Information sessions will be held for Local Government elected members and staff to provide advice on the relevance of revised guidelines to councils. Relevant councils will also be invited to participate in targeted reviews of all government property holdings in selected geographic areas to identify opportunities for improved utilisation, redevelopment or disposal.