Dry Creek Land Reserve

294 The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK ().29 August 2023). Can the Minister for Housing and Urban Development advise:

1. What investigations have taken place regarding the suitability of the Dry Creek land release for residential purposes?

2. What investigations have taken place regarding the required remediation works for the Dry Creek land release, and the potential effects they would have on the ecologically compromised St Kilda mangroves?

3. Which agency will undertake these works and how would they be monitored to ensure there is no further deterioration of the mangroves at St Kilda or the surrounding wetlands?

4. What remediation work will be required for the site to be ready for building and construction?

5. What financial interests does the government have in relation to the Concordia and/or Dry Creek land releases?

6. Will the government enter into an agreement to acquire either of the sites (including partial stakes)?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Housing and Urban Development has advised:

1. Any change of use for land at Dry Creek can only occur following extensive investigations. Aside from geotechnical investigations, which are necessary before any residential use is approved, the Dry Creek land is subject to a program for environmental protection and rehabilitation (PEPR). To date investigations for residential use have been occurring across stage 1 of the project area (owned by Buckland Dry Creek) and are being closely monitored by government stakeholders including the Environment Protection Authority. The current PEPR is available at www.energymining.sa.gov.au under Approved Programs.

2. The PEPR contains the details of current investigations. Any future development across Dry Creek is required to first gain approval from the governing steering committee which includes the Department for Environment and Water who are closely monitoring the mangroves amongst other matters of environmental importance within the area. No approval of a development process will be provided until a strategy is in place that satisfies the steering committee as well as supporting agencies such as the Environment Protection Authority.

3. The PEPR documents contain the details of approved program/s.

4. Remediation work where initial development within the project area is anticipated to commence are in the final stages of completion. Prior to any change of land use being finalised for residential or other use, the Department for Energy and Mining as the lead regulator, the Department for Environment and Water and the Environment Protection Authority are required to be satisfied that any requirements of the PEPR (including fill) have been satisfied. The remediation work over further stages of land within the growth area are still being investigated and requirements are yet to be determined. These will be outlined in future updates of the PEPR.

5. The government does not have any financial interest at Concordia. The government owns 397 hectares of land at Dry Creek that may be suitable for development.

6. Dry Creek—The government has not made any agreements or commitments to acquire any sites owned by the private landowner within the growth area.

Concordia—No agreements to acquire the land have been considered.