MIMILI AND AMATA BUSH GARDENS

220 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (21 October 2008). What are the annual operating costs of the Mimili and Amata bush gardens and what funding if any, has the state government allocated for the garden's operation in 2008-09?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management): I have been advised that:

The annual operating costs of the two plots consist principally of CDEP wages of those who work on the plots along with the supply of water and power. Bungala Aboriginal Corporation calculates that CDEP wages for the workers and supervisor as approximately $60,000 for a 12-month period. The cost to supply water and power to the two plots are absorbed by the relevant community into their general operating costs.

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) continues to support the maintenance and development of the bush food plots at both Amata and Mimili in the APY Lands by contracting the provision of horticultural expertise and practical on-site maintenance to 9 June at a cost of $56,000.