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EASTERN MOUNT LOFTY RANGES DRAFT WATER ALLOCATION PLAN

In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (3 May 2011).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has been advised:

1. The offices at Murray Bridge, Mount Barker, Strathalbyn and Cambrai have been in existence for ten years or more.

Mount Pleasant Natural Resources Centre (NRC) is not an office of the SA Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board or the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board, but a Council / community based advisory centre.

Running costs for the following four offices are:

Murray Bridge $31,900 per month;

Mt Barker $8,900 per month;

Strathalbyn $1,800 per month; and

Cambrai $200 per month.

These costs cover rent, electricity, cleaning and council rates. No rent is paid at Cambrai.

2. The staff of the Mount Pleasant NRC are not Board employees.

The number of staff employed at the following four offices are:

Murray Bridge 27

Mt Barker 15

Strathalbyn 4

Cambrai 3

3. All offices are accessible to the public and are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Contact details for each office can be found at the relevant NRM Board's website (www.nrm.sa.gov.au).