MURRAY RIVER SHACKS

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Water and the River Murray a question relating to shack sites.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: In answer to a question from me yesterday, the minister asserted that the issue of illegal development and environmental compliance in the Mid Murray region is not one for government as the shacks are not on crown land. I am advised that there is a range of unlawful developments which raise issues of environmental compliance which are within the minister's areas of responsibility. The Mid Murray Council is confronted with work occurring on crown land, including reserved areas, and on the banks of the River Murray.

River compliance issues include the construction of river structures, such as jetties, landings, houseboat moorings, riverbank modification and so on, as well as the placement of fill or sand to replenish river beaches and recreation areas. I understand that all these areas would ordinarily be of interest and involve the EPA, crown lands and the department.

Yesterday, the minister asserted the department is not aware of any direct requests from the Mid Murray Council to increase inspections along the River Murray. I draw the minister's and the department's attention to page 13 of a series of letters to ministers dated 22 May 2008, including the then minister for the River Murray, in which the council highlighted the limits of its own resources and sought additional staffing of both EPA and DWLBC. My question is: will the minister ensure that his agencies engage the Mid Murray Council to ensure that resources are being deployed effectively to meet the complementary responsibilities of both tiers of government?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for his second question on this topic this week. If I didn't make it perfectly plain yesterday, I will try to make it perfectly plain today.

The Hon. G.E. Gago interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, I could, but I won't take up the chamber's time.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: You denied responsibility yesterday, so that might be a good start.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The honourable member seems to have made up his own mind about what the answer is going to be. I'm not sure if I can assist him any further, but let me say this. It is the council's responsibility—the council's responsibility—to deal with development on privately held freehold land. Where the council approaches my department for assistance, in terms of crown lands or illegal developments that go against any acts that I have to administer, I have said my department is very happy to engage with local government, and it will do so.