PEOPLE AND PARKS

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. What are some of the key initiatives across the environment and conservation portfolio that have transpired this year that support the sustainable use of our environment and its natural resources?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:06): I thank the member for Torrens for her very important question. A very recent initiative was launched last week: People and Parks. It is a long-term strategy to increase the use and enjoyment of our national parks, marine parks and reserves. One of the key projects in the strategy involves establishing the Mount Lofty Ranges as a nationally recognised destination for cycling.

A number of management tracks in Cleland Conservation Park and Belair National Park will be open to cyclists, and plans for trails in other parks are being considered. People and Parks also includes other projects, including the expansion of the number of trails and parks near Adelaide that are suitable for people with limited mobility, and upgrading facilities at some of our iconic tourist attractions such as Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island.

This year has also seen some notable achievements in the realm of coastal and marine protection. We are now on the verge of beginning the management of our marine park system following an unprecedented level of consultation with communities and key interest groups. As well as protecting unique areas of high marine conservation value, our marine parks will become a valuable asset in promoting our state as a destination and in building on the clean, green reputation of our seafood industries.

The Adelaide's Living Beaches initiative, which aims to protect coastal properties and infrastructure and maintain the amenity of Adelaide's beaches, has progressed well this year. The sand transfer project, including pumping stations, sand slurry pipelines and sand discharge locations to beaches, is on schedule to be completed in this financial year. As part of an ongoing commitment to protecting important coastal environments and providing better protection to valuable land and wildlife in South Australia, Cape Blanche and Searcy Bay conservation parks near Streaky Bay were proclaimed in February 2012, adding to the protected areas estate.

In terms of protected terrestrial areas, this year saw the government deliver protection of Arkaroola from mining and other incompatible development with the passage of the Arkaroola Protection Act 2012 and the nomination of Arkaroola for state and national heritage listing. Other notable achievements in this area include the establishment of co-management arrangements with traditional owners with regard to the Flinders Ranges, Gawler Ranges and the Lake Gairdner National Park. Our Place. Our Future—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order: this has been tabled before the house.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. I do not think there is a point of order.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Our Place. Our Future, our State Natural Resources Management Plan South Australia 2012-17, was launched this year, setting out a vision to care for the land, water, air and sea that sustain us, as well as providing direction and guidance for our NRM boards, government agencies and other organisations involved in the critical work they lead in conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. The creation of an integrated regional delivery service by amalgamating NRM board staff and DEWNR regional services staff under a single integrated workforce was also achieved.

Fire management activities continued in 2012, including the development of a Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land in South Australia in association with ForestrySA, SA Water and the CFS. DEWNR's prescribed burning program continued to reduce fuels in strategic locations across the high-risk areas of the state, along with the development of risk-based management plans covering a large part of our public reserves. Of course, Madam Speaker, as you would be fully aware, work has continued on implementing the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth long-term plan, including a service partnership with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority and in collaboration with local communities to repair damage caused by drought and build ecosystem resilience during dry spells.

I could go on by concluding about the EPA's accessibility to information and its interface with the public but, also, Zero Waste SA and its excellent outcomes regarding recycling and reuse. There are many more initiatives, as I said, I could continue to speak about, and I will on another occasion. But all this is in stark contrast to the Liberal opposition, from whom we have not heard an iota of sound—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, Madam Speaker. Surely, sessional order 2 should have kicked in by now.

The SPEAKER: I am not sure about sessional order 2 but boredom is starting to, from all sides. Minister, you have got six seconds.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Six seconds, right, Madam Speaker. But all this is in stark contrast to the Liberal opposition, from whom we have not heard an iota of sound and considered policy and now—

The SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired. I will have mercy on us all.