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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-02-23 Daily Xml
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PERMACULTURE EDUCATION ZONE

The Hon. M. PARNELL (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development, representing the Minister for Environment and Conservation, a question about the Adelaide Gaol and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M. PARNELL: In March 2009, a new non-profit association was established called the Permaculture Education Zone. One of this organisation's key goals is to establish a demonstration site for a city farm in close proximity to the Adelaide CBD. The site would provide hands-on education experiences for local students and the public in practical sustainable living, including food production, waterwise gardening and energy efficiency measures.

Adelaide is now the only mainland capital that does not have such a site. The Permaculture Education Zone has received in principle support for this proposal from the Adelaide City Council and the department for environment and heritage. In addition, close to 1,000 residents signed a petition to support the proposal. After considering potential locations, an area around the Adelaide Gaol was considered the best location for such a city farm.

Permaculture Education Zone contacted the Premier, the ministers for education, health and environment, as well as myself and the local member for Adelaide, seeking support for its project. Permaculture Education Zone believes, as stated in its proposal, that:

...the development of a large, interactive garden at the Gaol site will be particularly useful in terms of therapeutic attributes for patients of the RAH as well as a nice place for hospital visitors to relax...This use of Gaol grounds would be very complementary to the RAH project.

In response, the Minister for Environment and Conservation said that:

...the proposed city farm is incompatible with the future direction of the Adelaide Gaol site particularly as the new Royal Adelaide Hospital is developed.

He went on to say that the Department for Environment and Natural Resources believes that an open approach from the southern side is required. My questions are:

1. What are the government's plans for the Adelaide Gaol site?

2. Will the minister consult with Permaculture Education Zone to see if the city farm can be accommodated in the vicinity of the old Adelaide Gaol?

3. What steps is the government taking to find an appropriate site for an Adelaide city farm?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (14:57): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions, and I will refer those to the relevant minister from another place and bring back a response.

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