NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about natural resource management.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The Liberal Party has received information that the Adelaide and Mount Lofty NRM has identified a site at Oaklands Park it would like purchased, or acquired by some means, from the Department for Transport to use as wetlands and for aquifer storage and recharge.

I raised this issue on the Leon Byner program on 21 January with the Minister for Water Resources (Karlene Maywald). She said, 'I will certainly take it on board to take it back to my ministerial colleagues to find out what the problem is there, Michelle, and I really thank you for raising it today.'

I understand that the transport department will not provide the land to the environment portfolio without funds of $1.2 million, which the department states it does not have. Given that that was some two or three months ago, will the minister advise whether there has been any agreement between departments on that site?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:37): I am aware that negotiations are occurring between the Adelaide and Mount Lofty NRM Board, the transport department and DEH. I am not aware that they have been completed or, at this point, exactly what stage they are up to. I am happy to find out those details and bring back a response.