Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-07-22 Daily Xml

Contents

WEST BEACH TRUST

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:17): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning questions in relation to the West Beach Trust.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I am advised that the West Beach Trust has been embroiled in a longstanding legal dispute with one of its tenants who occupies the Adelaide Shores function centre. This dispute arose some years ago over a lease. My questions to the minister are:

1. How much has been spent on legal fees so far?

2. What legal costs are likely to be incurred over the next 12 months?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (15:17): It is true that the West Beach Trust has been embroiled in a long-running dispute that goes back to I think 2000, or before, but certainly to the original contract. This matter is before the court so there is a limited amount that I can say. As I understand it there was no contract originally signed, so it is an implied contract, and I believe that is part of the case. Beyond that, I cannot say much more but it certainly pre-dates not only my time as a minister but I think the time of this government.

A significant amount has been spent on it. A number of efforts have been made to try to mediate this particular dispute. I will find out what information I can. In relation to the dispute itself, I am obviously restricted in what I can say because it is before the courts.