2813 Questions and Answers
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2813 PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 2003-04 FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT ___________ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS No. 84 WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE 2004 ___________ (The Questions and Answers Paper is published for each sitting day and will contain, by number and title, all unanswered questions, together with questions to which answers have been received on the previous sitting day and any new questions. Consequently the full text of any question will be printed only twice: when notice is given; and, when answered.) 2814 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Wednesday 23 June 2004 Q. & A. No. 72 8 June 2004 (Including Question Nos 1963 to 2010) Q. & A. No. 73 9 June 2004 (Including Question Nos 2011 to 2048) Q. & A. No. 74 10 June 2004 (Including Question Nos 2049 to 2091) Q. & A. No. 75 11 June 2004 (Including Question Nos 2092 to 2109) Q. & A. No. 76 15 June 2004 (Including Question Nos 2110 to 2142) Q. & A. No. 77 16 June 2004 (Including Question Nos 2143 to 2190) Q. & A. No. 78 17 June 2004 (Including Question Nos 2191 to 2220) Q. & A. No. 79 18 June 2004 (Including Question Nos 2221 to 2228) Q. & A. No. 80 6 July 2004 (Including Question Nos 2229-2271) Q. & A. No. 81 7 July 2004 (Including Question Nos 2272 to 2322) Q. & A. No. 82 8 July 2004 (Including Question Nos 2324 to 2356) Q. & A. No. 83 9 July 2004 (Including Question Nos 2357 to 2372) Q. & A. No. 84 27 July 2004 (Including Question Nos 2373 to 2404) 2815 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Wednesday 23 June 2004 Notice of Question given on the date shown 4 MAY 2004 (Paper No. 72) *1964 HAWKESBURY-NEPEAN GREAT RIVER WALK—Mr Pringle to Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, and Minister for Natural Resources— (1) What is the status of the Great River Walk Project? (2) What projects are planned in the 2003-04 and 2004-05 financial years? (3) When is the project planned for completion? Answer— These matters should be directed to the project manager of the Great River Walk, the Great River Walk Incorporated Association. *1965 WEEKEND AND OFF-PEAK TRAINS—Mr Pringle to Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, and Minister for Natural Resources, representing the Minister for Transport Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Natural Resources (Forests)— When the new CityRail timetable is introduced, what action will be taken to ensure that all off-peak and weekend services are air-conditioned? Answer— I refer the Member for Hawkesbury to my previous answer on the Questions and Answers paper, number 1915. *1967 STEERING COMMITTEE—GREATER LAKES REGION—Mr J.H. Turner to Minister for Health— (1) Did the Minister for Health set up a steering committee to assess public health options for the Great Lakes region? (2) If so, who is on the committee? (3) If so, has that committee met? (4) If so, when have they met? (5) If so, was the committee due to meet on 18th March to consider options to go to the Minister for the provision for public health services in the Great Lakes area? (6) If so, did that meeting proceed? (7) If not, why not? (8) If not, who cancelled it? (9) If not, on what authority was such meeting cancelled? (10) Has the Minister or his department or any officer of the Minister now received a report setting out options for the provision of public health services in the Great Lakes area? (11) If so, when was it received? (12) If so, from whom was it received? (13) If so, what is the status of the report at the present time? (14) If so, did the steering committee make final comments on the matters raised in the report? (15) If so, what were they? (16) If not, why not? 2816 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Wednesday 23 June 2004 (17) If the report has been received, what are the options for public health facilities in the Great Lakes area contained in the report? Answer— (1) to (4) The Great Lakes Health Services Planning Steering Committee was convened by the Mid North Coast Area Health Service, on behalf of the Minister for Health, to undertake a planning study for the provision of public health services to the Great Lakes community. The Committee, which comprises representatives from the Mid North Coast Area Health Service, NSW Department off Health, Cape Hawke Community Private Hospital, Cape Hawke Community Hospital and Health Association, Ambulance Service and two members of the local Consumer and Community Health Forum has met on many occasions. (5) to (9) Following discussions between the Chair of the Great Lakes Health Services Planning Steering Committee and the NSW Department of Health, it was agreed that further work was required in defining and costing the health service options. As a result, the planned 18 March 2004 meeting was postponed. (10) to (17) The Procurement Feasibility Plan is still under development. When completed it will require endorsement by the Mid North Coast Area Health Service Board and the NSW Department of Health, prior to submission to me for consideration. *1968 STAFF NUMBERS—PREMIER'S OFFICE—Mr Hartcher to Minister for Fair Trading and Minister for Assisting the Minister for Commerce representing the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for the Central Coast—— (1) How many people are employed by the Premier’s Department as part of its Central Coast Office? (2) Does the Premier’s Department’s Central Coast Office publish an annual report? (3) What is the location of the office? (4) How many non-SES staff are employed by the office? What is the grade for each such non-SES employee? (5) How many SES staff does the office employ? Answer— Four people are employed by the Premier’s Department at the Central Coast Office. The Premier’s Department’s Central Coast Office does not publish an annual report however Premier’s Department regional staff are required to provide information to central office as part of the strategic planning framework and reporting requirements. The office is located at Level 3, 131 Donnison Street, in Gosford. Four non–SES staff are employed by the Central Coast Office. These positions are graded at: Clerk Grade 3/4 Clerk Grade 9/10 Clerk Grade 11/12 Senior Officer Grade 1 The office does not employ any SES staff. *1969 MINISTRY FOR THE CENTRAL COAST—Mr Hartcher to Minister for Fair Trading and Minister for Assisting the Minister for Commerce representing the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for the Central Coast— (1) What is the annual budget of the Ministry for the Central Coast? (2) Does the Ministry for the Central Coast publish an annual report? (3) How many people are employed in the Ministry for the Central Coast? (4) Where are Central Coast Ministry staff located? 2817 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Wednesday 23 June 2004 (5) How many non-SES staff are employed by the Ministry? What is the grade for each such non-SES employee? (6) How many SES staff does the Central Coast Ministry employ? (7) Does the Minister for the Central Coast have an office on the Central Coast as well as in Sydney? If so, where? Answer— The position of Minister for the Central Coast was created in April 2003. With the creation of the position, additional recurrent funding of $323,000 was allocated. This included funding to Mount Penang Parklands to advance the important regional objectives identified in the NSW Government’s Central Coast Moving Forward public consultation. It also is used to supplement the existing complement of Premier’s Department officers working as part of the Regional Coordination Program. There are four officers within the unit. The Office of the Minister for the Central Coast is currently located within the Premier’s Department at the Kensman Building, Level 3, 131 Donnison Street, Gosford. The Premier’s Department publishes an annual report. The Central Coast is enjoying a record capital works budget from the Carr Government. $250 million is being spent this financial year on new infrastructure, supporting 3,700 jobs – double the average amount from the last four years. $212 million is being spent by the NSW Government to rebuild and upgrade Gosford and Wyong Hospitals, providing new operating theatres, accident and emergency, and mental health facilities. Central Coast Health’s recurrent budget increased by 14 per cent this year to $260 million. The Government brought 500 quality jobs to the centre of Gosford with the biggest relocation of a Government department. Hundreds of local tradespeople worked on the new five-storey WorkCover headquarters. The $30 million relocation has been a great success for Gosford. In addition, the Minister for the Central Coast will have portfolio responsibility for the Festival Development Corporation, which operates Mount Penang Parklands, from July 1 2004. The parklands are being enjoyed by hundreds of people each week and has become a hub for quality jobs in a growing employment precinct. This year, this Government is spending $18 million on education capital works on the Central Coast, $68 million on health and $96 million on local roads. *1970 RURAL FIRE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS—HOMEBUSH—Mr Humpherson to Minister for Police, representing the Minister for Rural Affairs, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Natural Resources (Lands)— (1) How much was the tender asking for? (2) How many companies tendered? (3) What was the value of the final contract? (4) Who was the contract awarded to? (5) What other contracts with other government department or agencies has this company been awarded? (6) What is the completion date for the new headquarters? (7) What are the plans for the Rosehill facility after completion date? (8) How many employees currently work at the Rosehill headquarters? (9) How many employees are expected to work at the Homebush headquarters? (10) What was the fit-out cost for the Commissioner’s private bathroom? (11) Was there any variation in cost from tender to awarding of contract to final costs? Answer— (1) to (5) The RFS will be a tenant in its new accommodation.