Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-22 Daily Xml

Contents

CENTRAL HILLS NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT GROUP

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Industrial Relations, representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, a question regarding the Central Hills Natural Resources Management Group.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: On 5 October 2011, the Adelaide Hills Courier reported that Mr Jon Delaine, an NRM policy officer, reported to the Adelaide Hills Council that the Central Hills Natural Resources Management Group had undertaken the following activities:

delivered programs in 372 hectares of remnant vegetation;

delivered programs in 250 hectares of agricultural land;

gave face-to-face advice to 1,129 landholders;

provided over-the-phone advice to 1,450 callers;

wrote three-year property management plans for 132 landholders;

revegetated 64 hectares of land;

fenced off 16 kilometres of watercourses; and

patrolled 439 kilometres of roadside for noxious weeds.

Whilst I understand that the patrolling of noxious weeds cost $118,000, no costs were provided for any of the other activities. My questions are:

1. What was the total cost of providing the three-year property management plans to the 132 landholders?

2. Were the property management plans provided to owners of hobby farms or viable farming units?

3. Were these property management plans asked for by the landowners?

4. For what reason was 16 kilometres of watercourses fenced off, and what was the cost of this?

5. What was the cost of providing face-to-face advice to landowners, and what was the outcome of that advice?

6. Is it the intention of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board to charge for these services, as is required by similar agencies?

7. Over what period of time did these activities take place?

The PRESIDENT: The honourable minister, representing the minister in another place.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:05): Well, not exactly, sir, but thank you, Mr President. I thank the honourable member for his question and, representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation (Hon. Paul Caica) in another place, I will take his very detailed questions to the minister and seek a response on his behalf.