Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-30 Daily Xml

Contents

Answers to Questions

FLEURIEU PENINSULA SWAMPS

In reply to the Hon. SANDRA KANCK (7 May 2008).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has provided the following information:

1. Mr Peter Bulman was engaged by Primary Industries and Resources South Australia and the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation to project manage an independent assessment of two methods used to determine buffer distances between Fleurieu Peninsula swamps and plantation forestry.

I am advised that decisions regarding the project and its delivery were made jointly by the representatives of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia and the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation.

2. The former minister for environment and conservation and the Minister for Forests agreed that an independent assessment of the methodology used to determine buffers between Fleurieu wetlands and plantation forestry would be undertaken. The particular administrative arrangements were not the subject of prior approval of the Minister for Environment and Conservation.

3. The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and Primary Industries and Resources SA agreed to jointly fund the project.

4. The practice of contracting work through third parties, including private companies, who, in turn, sub-contract other parties to undertake that work is common practice.

5. Mount Lofty Ranges Private Forestry has invoiced the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity for the amount of $13,750 (including $1,250 GST). The payment of was made on 11 October 2007. The payment is reflected in the financial records of the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation as expenditure to Contractors—Mount Lofty Private Forestry.