GOLDEN GROVE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES ZONE

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:42): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Mineral Resources Development a question about the Golden Grove Extractive Industries Zone Management Plan 2006.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: The Golden Grove Extractive Industries Zone is known to be an important source of construction material for Adelaide. Will the minister provide an update on the progress made in regard to the Golden Grove Extractive Industries Zone Management Plan 2006?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am delighted to inform all members of the council that the review of the Golden Grove Extractive Industries Zone (GGEIZ) Management Plan 1993 has been completed. This was undertaken through a joint committee consisting of Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (representing the industries operating in the Golden Grove Extractive Industries Zone), Primary Industries and Resources South Australia and the City of Tea Tree Gully. As the Minister for Mineral Resources Development, I endorsed the GGEIZ Management Plan 2006 in September 2007 subsequent to the members of the GGEIZ management plan review committee confirming their commitment by formally endorsing the plan.

Implementation of the plan would involve a number of actions, including the review of statutory mine operation plans (MOPs), for the private mines and mining and rehabilitation programs (MARPs) for the extractive mineral leases. The Golden Grove Extractive Industries Zone, which is located 18 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, contains the state's largest known viable deposits of sand, white plastic clay and weathered shale. As indicated by the honourable member, this area contains one of the most important sources of construction material for metropolitan Adelaide. The existing sand pits at Golden Grove are expected to continue in operation for approximately 35 to 40 years. Estimates indicate that there is well over 100 years' supply of clay and shale materials necessary for brick-making.

The original Golden Grove Extractive Industries Zone Management Plan was issued in 1993 under the authority of the then minister of mineral resources (I think it was Frank Blevins) after extensive consultation with major stakeholders. I think that Frank Blevins showed a great deal of foresight in doing that, and also as mining minister he launched the first collection of pre-competitive geoscientific data. Although Frank Blevins is well known for many roles, his short role as minister for mineral resources led to some very important decisions for the state.

The review of the management plan commenced in early 2003 and involved senior representatives of the mine operators within the zone, the City of Tea Tree Gully and PIRSA's division of Minerals and Energy Resources. The management plan provides a framework for the management of the potential impacts of mining operations on the environment and the amenity of adjacent residential areas whilst maximising the recovery of significant and strategically important resources of construction sand and brick-making clay. The plan provides important information for future land use planning in the area. It will allow mutual coexistence of long-term sand and clay mining in close proximity to residential areas to maximise the recovery of resources while minimising environmental impact. Adequate protection from further sterilisation of resources and consideration of the amenity of neighbouring residences is paramount. The control of silted stormwater and measures to prevent the pollution of water in Cobbler Creek downstream of the Golden Grove extractive industry zone has also been addressed in the plan.