APY Lands

In reply to the Hon. S.G. WADE (7 July 2016).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy): I have been provided with the following advice:

The Department of State Development (DSD) provided funding of $725,000 (GST excl) to the Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) in 2015-16 for the management and maintenance of the four remote swimming pools at Amata, Mimili, Pipalyatjara and Yalata.

The Memorandum of Understanding between DECD and DSD states the remote swimming pool season is from 1 September to 30 April each year, unless negotiated otherwise with the relevant Community Council and agreed by DSD.

I have been informed that the Amata swimming pool did not open for the swimming pool season until 11 March 2016 due to the lack of a suitability qualified pool manager being employed and that the pool season was extended at Amata due to the delay in reopening. It was open for 53 days in total.

The Minister for Education and Child Development has advised that any unspent salary component allocated for the Amata swimming pool has been allocated to pool maintenance. As with any pool, there are still costs associated with maintenance, even while a pool is not in use.

DECD has advised DSD that the cost of operating the swimming pools regularly exceeds the total funding provided. In the unlikely event that there is any unspent funding from the allocated budget for the swimming pools, DSD will liaise with DECD regarding the most appropriate use for those funds. This may include funding any necessary repairs or replacement of pool plant and equipment to support the future management of the Anangu pools.