Riverbank Precinct

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Was any indication given to Lang Walker or representatives of Walker Corporation prior to the election that Mr Walker's proposal for the Festival Plaza area would be approved?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for the question. The situation is this. There was a process which began some considerable time ago whereby there was an attempt to find a preferred tenderer, or preferred partner. That process was managed I think a couple of years ago now. At the end of that process, Mr Walker was the successful tenderer, and since that time work has been done with Walker Corporation.

Towards the end of last year, I believe—the dates I can't summon at will—or the beginning of this year; I can't recall which one it was but, anyway, at the end of last year or the beginning of this year there was basically an agreement with Mr Walker that there would be the building of a car park, and it was announced. The fine grain of that is still a matter for conversation between the parties, and that's what we are working on and that's what I'm hoping to nail down as soon as possible.