NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE: EYRE PENINSULA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (16:11): I move:

That the report of the committee, on the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board Levy Proposal 2009-10, be noted.

As I have previously stated, one of the Natural Resources Committee's statutory obligations is to consider and make recommendations on any levy proposal of a natural resources management board where the increase exceeds the annual CPI rise.

The 2009-10 levy for the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board exceeded the 5.1 per cent CPI rate, with the board proposing a 6.5 per cent increase in the division 1 land based levy. The proposed division 2 levy increased by 50 per cent for reticulated water supply; that is, the levy charged to SA Water was much higher than the CPI and, even without this increase, the Eyre Peninsula division 2 levy represented the highest water levy in the state.

Members were directed to a board minute noting the need to clearly justify the basis for the division 2 levy increases. Unfortunately, committee members were not supplied with any detailed evidence clearly justifying or explaining the rationale behind the proposed increase prior to considering the levy. It was therefore felt that members had no choice but to recommend that the water levy being applied to SA Water be amended to equal the CPI. This recommendation was subsequently accepted by the minister.

The committee was pleased to see that the board was continuing its stepped approach in working towards a common division 1 levy rate for all local government areas in the Eyre Peninsula region. Consequently, there were no objections to the slightly above CPI division 1 levy increase, as this was part of the equalisation process.

I thank all those who gave their time and assistance to the committee with its statutory obligation. Prior to the adopted plan being formally forwarded to the committee, evidence was taken from the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board Presiding Member, Mr Brian Foster, and the General Manager, Ms Kate Clarke, on 29 April 2009. The committee received one written submission from SA Water relating to this levy proposal.

I also commend the members of the committee, John Rau MP (the Presiding Member), the Hon. Graham Gunn MP, the Hon. Stephanie Key MP, the Hon. Caroline Schaefer MLC, the Hon. Lea Stephens MP and the Hon. David Winderlich MLC, for their contribution. All members of the committee have worked cooperatively throughout. Finally, I thank the committee staff for their assistance. I commend the report to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.