Barossa Valley

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:28): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Planning a question relating to character preservation on Barossa Valley land.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: My office was recently contacted by a constituent with concerns regarding the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Bill, and the Character Preservation (Barossa Valley) Act that was passed not that long ago. Several constituents have expressed concern to my office about some provisions within the bill and the act, although they are broadly supportive, which impose land use restrictions for the purpose of character preservations and the implications that this act would have on the land that they specifically own.

For example, a particular constituent owns land at Concordia within the Barossa Valley district, which is not sustainable or suitable for agricultural purposes. This is due to a number of environmental and geographical restrictions unique to the area, and specifically to this individual's particular parcel of land, which makes their land difficult to maintain and unprofitable when used for agricultural purposes. However, despite this, the land is not allowed to be used for other purposes, such as residential purposes, under the Character Preservation (Barossa Valley) Act.

Thus the land is essentially made useless and worthless by the legislation. Whilst this is not true in general terms, it is true for him. In comparison to farmland in other regions, the Barossa Valley land in question produces much poorer yields, causing a significant amount of economic loss to the constituent's family, and you can imagine that that is of grave concern to them. My questions to the minister are:

1. What has the government done to ensure that land in the areas that are subject to character preservation, such as the Barossa Valley district, are in fact agriculturally viable or suitable for some other legitimate purpose?

2. Is the government considering amendments to address oversight in their planning policy which has caused considerable loss to individuals in areas that are subject to character preservation regulations or other restrictions?

3. Will the minister consult with members of Concordia and meet other rural communities within character preservation areas to hear their concerns?

4. Will the minister agree to meet with this constituent or one of his representatives in order to see whether a solution can be formed?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:30): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions. On behalf of his constituent in the Barossa Valley, I undertake to take that question on notice for the Minister for Planning in another place and seek a response on the honourable member's behalf.