INVESTING EXPENDITURE

542 Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15 September 2009). With reference to the Budget Statement, page 6.5 of the 2008-09 Budget regarding Investing Expenditure—

(a) how much of the $12 million budgeted for the acquisition of land in the 2008-09 was spent and if not all, why not;

(b) where was this land purchased;

(c) how much was paid for each parcel;

(d) why is $12 million again being budgeted for land purchases in 2009-10;

(e) will this actually be spent during 2009-10; and

(f) where will land be purchased?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development): I am advised:

(a) Of the $12 million budgeted for the acquisition of land in 2008-09, $7.10 million was spent. The balance of the available budget was not spent due to the lack of suitable land being available and normal market pressures.

(b) The land was purchased in the Green Triangle Region, three parcels in the South West of Victoria and one in the South East of South Australia. This is consistent with the ForestrySA Charter.

(c) Four parcels of land were purchased within the 2008-09 budget year, with the individual values being: $3.80 million, $1.52 million, $1.13 million and $0.65 million.

(d) ForestrySA has an ongoing program of increasing its plantation base to supply predicted future log and timber market demands. Purchase of additional land is a key element of expansion combined with maintaining or improving current land utilisation.

(e) Purchase of land will continue to be subject to suitable land being available and normal market pressures, which will dictate the progress towards expenditure of the $12 million during the 2009-10 budget period. During this current budget period, land to the value of $2.81 million has already been purchased or is under contract.

(f) The targeted area for land purchase is the Green Triangle Region, both the South West of Victoria and the South East of South Australia.