JOHN KNOX SCHOOL PRECINCT

In reply to the Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14 June 2012).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations): I am advised:

1. On 19 July 2010, the owner of the land, John Knox Development Company Pty Ltd (the Developer) applied to the City of Onkaparinga for development approval to convert the buildings into a childcare centre.

I am further advised that planning consent was issued by the Council on 19 April 2011, requiring the Developer to submit building consent documentation within 12 months so that the Council could make a decision on whether to grant development approval.

I have been advised that the Developer did not submit its building consent documentation within the 12 month period resulting in planning consent expiring.

I have been advised by the Council that the applicant can re-activate this lapsed planning consent by submitting a letter to the Council requesting an extension and explaining the reasons why it lapsed and outlining any new changes to the original application.

I understand that on 13 July 2011 a heritage agreement between the Developer and the Minister for Environment and Conservation was signed whereby the Developer would undertake basic stabilisation and protection work on the buildings, subject to development approval to convert the buildings into a childcare centre.

The Council has advised that the heritage agreement does not become active until development approval has been granted specifically for the childcare centre. As planning consent has expired and the Developer has not sought an extension for the granting of development approval, the Developer is under no obligation to carry out remediation work agreed to in the heritage agreement.

2. I wish to point out that this issue is a matter between the Council and the Developer. Local Government has responsibility for dealing with a range of issues set within the parameters of the Local Government Act 1999 and other Acts. As Minister for State/Local Government Relations, I do not intervene in decisions made by Councils, providing they have acted within these legislated parameters.