HERITAGE PRESERVATION

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:26): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question on the subject of historic cottages at Dunstan Grove and Linde Reserve.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Honourable members may be aware that the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters has a draft master plan which involves Dunstan Grove and Linde Reserve. Part of that proposal is to sell a heritage listed cottage and demolish three others.

There has been a concerted effort by community members in opposition to this particular proposal but, unfortunately, on Monday night the council decided that it is going to proceed with demolishing at least two of those cottages. My question for the minister is: will she consider providing interim listing in the interests of making sure that the conservation values of those particular cottages are properly explored?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:28): As my colleague has demonstrated, if the council has already made a decision then it would be too late. I am actually not aware of this particular issue in terms of these cottages. I find it disappointing that a decision has been made, although I am not in a position to make an assessment of their historic value. Obviously, there is some public concern over it, but my understanding is that if the council has already made a decision then that usurps the capacity to intervene at this stage, but I will look into the matter.