HOUSEBOAT STRATEGY

The Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (15:00): By way of supplementary question, what time frame does the minister envisage before any developments are started or finished?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:00): I would hope that that process can start soon. Most of the negative comments the honourable member referred to and some of the other principles in relation to it were not so much issues in relation to marina location but rather more to do with issues such as where one could tie up houseboats and the like. I thank everyone who made a contribution because it has been most useful in helping us form the policy in that regard.

In relation to the actual locations, that can be done through a development plan amendment process, which will be underway very soon because we have now completed the discussions in relation to the strategy. We would have been announcing the outcome fairly soon, so I have given the honourable member advance notice about where the government's thinking is going in that regard, but I hope we will be able to provide that information fairly soon and we can go ahead if proponents are willing to build these marinas. If they are in the right locations and meet the requirements, they can proceed.