BUSHFIRES

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about bushfire clean-up on crown land.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The Liberal Party has been contacted by volunteers and fire prevention officers in relation to a number of crown land blocks located at Crystal Brook, Kalinga, Napperby, Lochiel, Port Augusta and Halbury, which have been issued with bushfire clean-up notices dating back to October 2007. I understand that, under schedule 12, notices require landholders to take action substantially to reduce fire hazard to protect the safety and property of neighbours. My questions are:

1. Is the minister aware that the Department for Environment and Heritage is in breach of a number of schedule 12 notices under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005?

2. Why is her department refusing to clean up these fire hazards?

3. Will she instruct them to do so post-haste, especially given that there were fires in some of these regions in the last season?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:31): The DEH does quite a remarkable job in terms of fire prevention and management of crown land. It is responsible for hundreds of hectares of land and teams of staff, including 26 extra seasonal firefighters who were engaged this financial year to assist. I do not have any information in relation to any alleged breaches relating to schedule 12. I am happy to investigate that, but I am not aware of any alleged breaches at this time. All I can do is investigate the information that I have been given in the chamber today and bring back a response.