PERPETUAL LEASE FREEHOLDING PROGRAM

The Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question on perpetual lease freeholding programs.

Leave granted

The Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER: My colleague the member for Flinders has raised a number of issues with regard to the government compulsorily acquiring coastal and waterfront land as part of a process of freeholding perpetual lease land. My questions are:

1. How many properties are affected by such compulsory acquisitions, if indeed they are talking place?

2. How many properties are involved in the setting up of these—what are colloquially known as—conservation leases?

3. How many agreements have been reached and completed?

4. Has the Coastal Protection Branch compulsorily acquired any land as part of these agreements?

5. Have buildings been included in coastal leases, or are they included in the freehold section of these agreements, as was the original understanding?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for her important questions. Indeed, the PLAF program has been very successful. It has been a very important program in acquiring coastal and waterfront stretches of land, with the aim of being able to protect those very important processes and better manage those important strips of land into the future.

As members know, in response to individuals' concerns, the lease arrangements were amended to provide the condition of conservation leases, and that was welcomed by landholders. I understand that a number of people have taken up those options. My understanding is that the overall program has been extremely successful in acquiring these strips of land. I do not have the specific numbers with me, but I am more than happy to find out those exact numbers and bring them back to this chamber. I commend landholders and all of those who have successfully completed this program for their cooperation. As I said, the land management, planning and maintenance for that important coastal and waterfront land is in a much better position for the future.