Question Time

St Kilda Mangroves

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water. When was the minister first informed that there was a problem with mangrove die-off in St Kilda?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (14:49): I thank the deputy leader for her question and trust that this begins a productive year of questioning and analysis from the deputy leader. In fact, she asked me three questions in 2020 so let us begin well. The member for Florey asked me more questions than the deputy leader last year, but that is an aside. There is clearly—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: The situation with the mangrove die-off around St Kilda is an extremely regrettable situation. I don't think there is anyone on either side of the house who has a desire to see that situation unfold in the first place or deteriorate from the situation where we see it at the moment. It is a situation where we have environmental degradation which is clearly a consequence of an industrial activity which has taken place adjacent to it—an industrial activity that has been undertaken there for many generations.

The previous Labor government struggled with how to deal with that activity in the same way as this government now has to work through the licensing, the analysis and the management of that peri-urban landscape where industry, residential and environment meet. Of course, that is often in a situation of difficulty. I first became aware probably in around about early October that there was some problem in that vicinity. That was being investigated by a combination of the Department for Energy and Mining, as the regulator, with the EPA involved and with some advice from my department, as well as independent coastal consultants—most notably, Ms Peri Coleman, who is a learned and experienced voice and expert in that particular geographical part of our city.

I think it became much more present in the minds of the public, the bureaucracy and the ministry in mid to late December, in the lead-up to Christmas, when that dieback became worse. It became more dramatic. Of course, because of its presence through the area where the main public access occurs to the mangroves, around the St Kilda boardwalk managed by the City of Salisbury, the public concern obviously and rightfully grew.

It is very much my intention to work very closely with the regulator (Department for Energy and Mining), the minister and also work in close collaboration with my cabinet colleagues. The Premier, the minister and I met as early as this morning to discuss this. It is a situation we wish had never unfolded in the first place.

We will work exceptionally hard to make sure that situation doesn't get worse, that the area of the most significant dieback can be restored and a broader, more ambitious vision for the conservation of that stretch of land from St Kilda in the south through to the Middle Beach/Thompson Beach/Port Parham area in the north—the area in the north in particular encapsulated by the international bird sanctuary, which is such an important and significant piece of conservation land. We will work hard to capture and get that vision intact.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The time in which the minister answers the question has expired. I call to order the member for Kaurna and the member for Lee.