Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Flood Mitigation FLOOD MITIGATION The Hon. R.D. LAWSON Legislative Council FLOOD MITIGATION The Hon. R.D. LAWSON (14:55): I have a supplementary question: given that the minister says this is a matter for local government to resolve, will the minister assure the council that the state government does not intend to intervene and force any council to undertake any proposal that it does not wish to undertake? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy FLOOD MITIGATION The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:55): Clearly, it is important that councils resolve the matters that are within their purview. These are matters of great public interest, and the ultimate test is public safety. If that is jeopardised then the state government (or any responsible government) would have to look at it and make an assessment. I do not believe it has come to that at this point in time. I believe it is important that local councils are encouraged to work together and cooperate to resolve these issues. I think that is the way forward.