WATER ALLOCATION PLANS

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (16:23): I move:

That this council calls on the Minister for Environment and Conservation to exercise his discretion, pursuant to section 80 of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 and not adopt the draft Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan and the draft Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan.

Section 80 of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 deals with the draft water allocation plans submitted to the minister. It provides that, 'the Minister must consult with the NRM Council, and may consult with such other persons or bodies as the Minister thinks fit' in relation to the plan.

Further, it provides that the minister must, in considering the draft plan, have regard to any submissions received from members of the public and to the reports of the persons who conducted public meetings. The minister may then either adopt the plan, with or without amendment, or refer the plan back to the board for further consideration. Before making an amendment to a plan, the minister must consult with the regional NRM board. If the minister refers the plan back to the board, it must prepare a new draft plan and follow the procedures as to consultation in respect of the new draft, as provided for in the act.

The general consensus from all the people I have spoken to in relation to the draft Western Mount Lofty Ranges plan, as released for consultation, is one of concern and disapproval. Indeed, at a recent public meeting held by FLAGSA in Strathalbyn, an overwhelming majority of the thousand-odd food producers and landowners who turned out voiced their opposition to the draft plan. The same sentiment is now being expressed about the more recently released draft Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges plan.

As I alluded to in my second reading contribution to the Natural Resources Management (Review) Amendment Bill yesterday, a great deal of criticism has also been levelled at NRM boards in relation to the poor consultation processes for the plans. For example, the Western Mount Lofty Ranges draft plan was released for consultation in November last year, with submissions closing at the beginning of this year. The consultation period coincided with the harvesting season and Christmas and New Year. It was timed very poorly. Farmers who attended the meetings organised by NRM boards also complained of the poor attitude of NRM board members and other departmental staff at those meetings.

Both plans are still in draft form and are subject to change, and are also yet to be presented to the minister. The purpose of this motion is to once again highlight to the minister the level of disapproval that exists in regional communities and urge him to consider any plan submitted to him carefully and cautiously, taking into account the serious level of community concern expressed in relation to these issues. I urge all honourable members to support this motion.

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