Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-02-03 Daily Xml

Contents

URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:16): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Urban Development and Planning a question regarding the urban growth boundary.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: On 20 December 2007 the minister issued a media release concerning the new urban boundary for Adelaide, which included a proposed 397 hectare development at Bowering Hill in Adelaide's south, near Port Willunga. The release stated that Bowering Hill 'won't be rezoned until formal structure plans are in place' and that there would be a 'guaranteed retention of 400 hectares of open space to the west and south of Bowering Hill, which will protect the coastal cliffs and separate Aldinga from any future development.'

So, in late 2007 the plan was for a 397 hectare development with buffer zones around it. Almost a year later, on 10 December 2008, the Southern Times Messenger quoted a letter sent by Wayne Gibbings, the Chief Executive of the Land Management Corporation, to Onkaparinga council. In his letter Mr Gibbings said that the 397 hectare development was 'crucial to ensuring enough land was available for development over the next decade', adding that it was 'appropriate to plan for anticipated broadacre releases…and…the Bowering Hill land would be released after subdivisions at Seaford Meadows, Seaford Heights and Hackham were put on the market.' I add that it was my understanding that the target date for development at Bowering Hill was approximately 2011-2012.

In a letter dated 11 December 2008 to the Southern Times Messenger and obtained by Family First, infrastructure minister Conlon said of Bowering Hill: 'This government has no intention to use the land for housing.' Commenting on minister Conlon's intervention, the Southern Times Messenger reported that Onkaparinga mayor Lorraine Rosenberg said of minister Conlon's statement: 'We're very surprised to hear it from the infrastructure minister—now we'll need to write to the planning minister to ensure it's correct.' My questions to the minister are:

1. What were the circumstances that required minister Conlon to intervene in this matter?

2. Is minister Conlon talking about the same Bowering Hill as the Minister for Urban Development and Planning?

3. Will the minister confirm that his government has now absolutely excluded Bowering Hill from the urban growth boundary extension?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:19): Bowering Hill is incorporated in and part of the urban growth boundary; it has been since those changes were made in 2007. However, the zoning of that land is such that it is 'deferred urban'. That is what it was made at the time, but any future use of the land is up to the owners of the land, and, while there may be a small private parcel, the Land Management Corporation is the principal owner. So, any statements made in relation to the future of that land, so far as the intentions of the owner, will be from the Land Management Corporation and minister Conlon. In relation to the zoning of that land, the undertakings I gave back in 2007 remain in place, that is, that there will be no rezoning of the land until structure planning and the like have taken place.

In relation to the comments my colleague was referring to, I am happy to get the information for the honourable member. However, as far as this portfolio is concerned, the zoning of that land remains as it was back in 2007. I will honour the undertaking I gave that proper structure planning, including consultation with the council, would have to take place before there was any change. However, if the LMC has changed its view in relation to the land, I will get that information from my colleague.