PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES
______
No. 38 ______
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
QUESTIONS
AND
ANSWERS
______
THIRD SESSION OF THE FIFTIETH PARLIAMENT ______
WEDNESDAY 15 DECEMBER 1993
(On the first sitting day after an adjournment of more than one week a full Questions and Answers Paper is published containing all unanswered questions. On the first sitting day of other weeks only the numbers for unanswered questions will be listed. On other days only answers and new questions are published).
Notice given on date shown LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Wednesday 15 December 1993 Page 824 3 MARCH 1993
*82 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs and Minister for Employment and Training representing the Minister for Health___
(1) Are composting toilets permitted to be installed in new houses throughout New South Wales?
(2) Are composting toilets environmentally safe and economically viable?
(3) If so, will the Minister ensure that householders are permitted to install this type of toilet if they choose?
(4) How much water does the average flushing type toilet use in a household of four occupants in the course of a year?
Answer___
(1) The decision as to whether or not a humus closet may be installed in a particular premises rests with the Local Government under the provisions of Local Government Act, 1993, Approvals Regulation.
Councils can, however, under clause 75 of the Approvals Regulation only approve waste treatment devices which satisfy the requirements of the Director General of Health. The NSW Health Department has issued design approvals on a number of humus closets and a number of other applications are currently under review.
The only restriction on the installation of a humans closet exists where the premises are located in a sewered area and the owner of a premises is required to connect the premises to a sewerage system. This is a requirement of Section 124 of the Local Government Act.
(2) Provided humans closets are installed in accordance with the conditions attached to the design approval and the composted humus material is disposed of in accordance with the Health Departments guidelines, humans closets may be regarded as environmentally safe.
The question of humus closets economic viability depends upon the installation cost of the humus closet as compared to the installation cost of water closet and septic tank, plus consideration of ongoing water costs. If a humus closet is proposed, separate arrangements still need to be made for the disposal of all sullage waters form the bathroom, kitchen and laundry. If the sullage is to be treated on site a separate septic tank is usually required as well as some dedicated area of land for irrigation of the effluent.
(3) This is outside the ambit of the Minister for Health and the NSW Health Department. The installation of humus closets is administered by Local Councils under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1993.
(4) Water usage for a family of four persons occupying a premise for a period of one year will vary considerably. Factors to be considered are:
(a) duration of each persons occupation of the premises per day, number of times the toilet is used and flushed, and the capacity of the flush.
(b) Assuming that the premises are unsewered and the toilet has a dual flush 3/6L, and the toilet is flushed on an average of three times per person per day, water usage may be estimated to range between 13,140 to 26, 280 litres per year.
Page 825 *120 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs and Minister for Employment and Training representing the Minister for Health___
((a)) How many children between the ages of 12 months and 48 months with blood lead levels above the current National Health and Medical Research Councils "level of concern" live in the Central and Southern Sydney Area Health Service?
((b)) What has been done to locate these children?
((c)) What advice is given to families of "at-risk" children?
((d)) What counselling services are provided?
((e)) What is the Health Department doing to discourage unsafe leaded paint removal in homes?
((f)) Will the Minister negotiate with the Environment Protection Authority to produce guidelines for adequate remediation standards and equipment and procedures for individual property owners who wish to protect young residents from soil and house dust lead contamination?
((g)) Will the Government have a combined lead task force using the resources of both the Environment Protection Authority and the Health Department?
((h)) Will lead poisoning prevention centres be set up in high risk areas? Answer___
(1) It is estimated that approximately 2%-3% of children in Central and Southern Sydney could have blood lead levels above 25 ug/dL, the former "level of concern" set by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in 1987. These estimates are based on studies conducted in the inner city where the prevalence of elevated blood lead concentrations may be higher than throughout the whole metropolitan area.
(2) Work is currently being undertaken to determine areas of highest risk in the Central and Southern Sydney Area. The results of this work will allow a more accurate estimation of the prevalence and distribution of elevated blood lead concentrations and will give an indication of the feasibility of screening high risk areas.
(3) Parents of at-risk children who contact the Public Health Unit for Central and Southern Sydney for advice are advised to have the children's blood lead levels measured. This blood test can be taken by the child's general practitioner or at the children's hospital with a referral from the general practitioner.
(4) The Public Health Unit for Central and Southern Sydney provides advice on minimising children's exposure to environmental lead.
(5) The Public Health Unit for Central and Southern Sydney has repeatedly publicised the need for chemical removal of old paint, followed by a meticulous cleanup, rather than removal by abrasion and heat. The NSW lead Taskforce is currently preparing an education strategy to inform the people of NSW about the hazards of environmental lead contamination and of the steps that they can take as individuals to minimise their exposure.
Page 826 (6) Yes. Some guidelines for adequate remediation standards are contained in the NSW Lead Issues Paper, a document prepared by the Department of Health and Environment Protection Authority. More comprehensive guidelines for lead paint removal and for minimising the lead hazard in residential areas will be included in the education materials prepared by the NSW Lead Taskforce.
(7) Yes. The Interdepartmental Lead Taskforce was established in May 1993.
(8) Lead Centres have been established in Broken Hill and Boolaroo.
125 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___ (1) Is it correct that five prime waterfront lots at Big Jims Point are being auctioned?
(2) Why have the plans to create Mount Olive National Park on the above mentioned land, not been implemented?
Answer___
(1) This question relates to land on the Hawkesbury River in Gosford City Council area, between Barr Point and Spencer. The Department of Planning does not have a statutory responsibility under any planning instrument to acquire land in this vicinity. I am therefore, unaware of the sale of any land in this area which would involve my portfolio.
(2) The land the Honourable Member refers to is in the vicinity of land being investigated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to the Mt. White addition to the Brisbane Waters National Park. This matter therefore falls within the portfolio of my colleague, the Hon. C. Hartcher, MP, Minister for the Environment.
31 MARCH 1993 *160 Mr O'Grady asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for Transport and Minister for Tourism___
(a) Have trial evacuations been conducted on the Jetcat vessels to ascertain their safety?
(b) If so, how many trials have been conducted?
(c) When were the trials conducted? Were the trials conducted before or after the Jetcat vessels came into operation?
(d) Have the trials included passengers of all ages, particularly the elderly?
(e) In what conditions were the trials conducted?
(f) Were the trials timed? If so, what were the results? Do the results meet international and Australian safety standards?
(g) Will the Minister release the results of such trials?
Page 827 Answer___ (1) Yes.
(2) One trial on the "Blue Fin" and one trial on the "Sir David Martin".
(3) (a) The "Blue Fin" trial in about April 1990, the "Sir David Martin" trial in about December 1990.
(b) Before the vessels came into operation. (4) A large number of people of mixed ages were involved in the trials. There was no specific concentration on elderly passengers.
(5) The "Blue Fin" was tested in Sydney Harbour simulating a full passenger loading of 50% number using 50% of available exits, and using three crew. The "Sir David Martin" was tested in Cairns, prior to delivery, under similar conditions, using four crew.
(6) (a) Yes.
(b) Test 1 - 16 minutes. Test 2 - less than eight minutes. (c) Yes. (7) The results of the trials were that both the "Blue Fin" and the "Sir David Martin" met the Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft developed by the International Maritime Organisation.
20 APRIL 1993 *180 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for the Environment___ (a) Has the very rare Smoky Mouse been discovered in Nungatta State Forest?
(b) Is it likely that other endangered species live within this same area?
(c) Will the Government ensure that this area is not destroyed by logging?
Answer___
(1) Yes. The Smoky House has been recorded as present within the Nungutta State Forest.
(2) Yes.
(3) State Forests and logging are the responsibility of the Hon George Souris, MP, Minister for Land and Water Conservation.
*181 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___ (a) Has Australia signed the Convention for Global Climate Change which in Article 4.2 calls on signatories to limit the emission of Greenhouse gases?
Page 828
(b) Does New South Wales have a greenhouse policy aimed at reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases?
(c) Does the Department of Planning require coal mining companies to discuss their greenhouse impacts resulting from projects proposed in environmental impact statements?
(d) Does the Commission's Report to the Minister for Planning on the Airly Coal Inquiry considered the greenhouse impact of the mine project?
(e) Are greenhouse matters addressed in the Commissioner's Report?
Answer___
(1) Yes.
(2) The Government is implementing the actions in the National Greenhouse Response Strategy, which aims to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. This approach stems from the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment.
(3) Not usually. The greenhouse impact of coal mines themselves is generally minimal. The emission of greenhouse gases are most appropriately addressed in the assessment of development proposals which directly contribute to them and to demand for energy, and when choices of energy sources are made.
(4) and (5) The Commissioner noted that some submissions indicated that the EIS did not consider the impact of the proposal on the greenhouse effect and global warming. However, the Commissioner made no further comment on greenhouse.
*183 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for the Environment___
(a) Is the National Parks and Wildlife Service issuing licenses to kill bats?
(b) If so, under what authority?
(c) Approximately how many bats have been killed in the past 12 months? Answer___
(1) National Parks and Wildlife Service is issuing licences to kill the grey-headed flying-fox and little red flying-fox only with respect to their damage to fruit crops.
(2) Licences issued under section 121 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act which authorises an occupier or owner of specified land to take or kill a specified number and specified class of fauna. Such a licence cannot be issued with respect to endangered fauna.
(3) Section 121 Licences are issued at district offices. This information is not presently held centrally.
Page 829 *184 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for the Environment___
(a) Has the Department of Planning denied Lake Macquarie City Council permission to display a draft local environmental plan for the acquisition of Green Point?
(b) Is the Department of Planning attempting to influence Lake Macquarie City Council to allow residential development of this proposed park?
(c) Was one million dollars set aside to assist the Council in acquiring this parkland?
(d) If so, where are these funds and is this one million dollars still available?
(e) If not, why not?
Answer___
(1) to (5) The five parts of this question relate to the acquisition of land for parkland at Green Point, Lake Macquarie by Lake Macquarie Council and falls under the jurisdiction of the Hon Robert Webster MLC, Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing.
18 MAY 1993 *204 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for the Environment___ (1) Did Dr John Laxton, an eminent ecologist, complete a detailed assessment of the Dunbogan Canal Estate site in February 1990?
(2) Did Dr Laxton list strong recommendations against proceeding with the development?
(3) When did the National Parks and Wildlife Service become aware of Dr Laxton's recommendations?
(4) When Dr Laxton's recommendations became public did clearing, draining and burning activities take place on the site?
(5) Was permission given for these activities by the National Parks and Wildlife Service?
Answer___
(1) I am advised by the Director-General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service that Dr John Laxton prepared a detailed assessment of the Dunbogan Canal Estate Project for the consultant who prepared the proponents environmental impact statement (E.I.S.) and that it was tabled at the commission of inquiry called by the Camden Haven Protection Society on the grounds that the E.I.S. was inadequate.
(2) The National Parks and Wildlife Service is not in possession of Dr Laxton's report. The service did not request a copy of the report at the inquiry.
(3) The National Parks and Wildlife Service is unaware of Dr Laxton's recommendations.
(4) The National Parks and Wildlife Service does not know if clearing, draining and burning activities took place on the site when Dr Laxton's recommendations became public.
(5) No.
Page 830 15 SEPTEMBER 1993 *259 Mrs Symonds asked the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier___
(1) In 1990, were tenders called for the administration of the basic skills test to be held 1991-92?
(2) Was the cost of the tests $3.5m? (3) In 1992, were tenders called for the basic skills test to be administered in 1993-94?
(4) Were submissions for tender and detailed presentations made to the selection committee?
(5) Did the Education Department withdraw from the tendering process?
(6) What reasons were given for the Department's withdrawal from the tendering process?
(7) On 20 February 1993, did the Department advertise for eight (8) full- time positions for the purpose of conducting basic skills testing?
(8) What will be the cost of these employees per annum?
(9) Does this mean that the Government will reverse its contracting out policy in favour of permanent employees?
(10) Did the Minister receive a confidential report on the basic skills test?
(11) When will this be released to Parliament?
Answer___
(1) The NSW State Contracts Control Board issued a public invitation to tender for the 1991-92 Basic Skills Testing Program in June 1990. The Contracts Control Board subsequently managed the selection process of this tender (Number 869). The successful tenderer was the Australian Council for Educational Research.
(2) The contract cost to ACER for the 1991-92 testing program was $2,185,000. Estimated additional expenditure by the Department of School Education to support the Basic Skills Testing Program was $0.73 million. The total costs for the 1991-92 tests were $2.9 million.
(3) Yes. Tenders were called for the 1993-94 Basic Skills Testing Program in February 1992. The Department of School Education used the services of the New South Wales Supply Service for the tendering process.
(4) Yes.
(5) The Department of School Education withdrew from the tendering process in June 1992.
(6) The Department withdrew from the tendering process because it decided to assume direct control and overall management of the program in the context of the establishment of an internal quality assurance function.
Page 831 (7) On 20 February 1993 the Department of School Education advertised for eight full-time positions in the Assessment and Reporting Unit. Six of those positions were additional to the existing establishment. The responsibilities of these positions include the Basic Skills Testing Program and other assessment and reporting initiatives.
(8) The cost of the eight additional positions is $499,682 per annum including on costs.
(9) The decision to assume direct management of the BST program is consistent with the Government's policy on contracting. Assessment and reporting of student learning outcomes is a fundamental activity of the Department of School Education. The Department will contract expert assistance for the BST program as appropriate. The criteria will continue to be educational excellence and cost effectiveness.
(10) No.
(11) Not applicable.
12 OCTOBER 1993 *266 Ms Burnswoods asked the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier___ (1) With reference to each selective or specialist high school in NSW, what was the enrolment in each of the schools for each of the years 1992 and 1993 of:
(a) Boys?
(b) Girls?
(2) With reference to each selective or specialist high school in NSW, what was the enrolment in each of the schools for each of the years 1992 and 1993 of:
(a) Boys in Year 7?
(b) Girls in Year 7?
(3) With reference to each technology high school in NSW, what was the enrolment in each of the schools for each of the years 1992 and 1993 of: (a) Boys?
(b) Girls?
(4) With reference to each technology high school in NSW, what was the enrolment in each of the schools for each of the years 1992 and 1993 of:
(a) Boys in Year 7?
(b) Girls in Year 7?
Page 832 Answer___
(1) The following table gives the enrolments at selective and specialist NSW high schools in 1992 and 1993 for boys and girls:
1992 1993 1992 1993 Boys Boys Girls Girls SELECTIVE Farrer Memorial Agricultural High 462 469 0 0 School Hurlstone Agricultural High School 465 474 450 438 James Ruse Agricultural High School 408 437 372 348 Yanco Agricultural High School 296 284 0 25 Baulkham Hills High School 512 540 553 527 Caringbah High School 414 455 464 449 Fort Street High School 548 537 473 466 Girraween High School 338 365 303 312 Gosford High School 447 461 597 603 Macquarie Fields High School 430 477 409 440 Manly High School 311 344 217 226 Merewether High School 425 442 371 377 North Sydney Boys High School 730 811 0 0 North Sydney Girls High School 0 0 728 730 Penrith High School 437 458 372 370 Sefton High School 473 521 412 413 Smiths Hill High School 308 328 322 345 St George Girls High School 0 0 1,016 985 Sydney Boys High School 1,068 1,066 0 0 Sydney Girls High School 0 0 981 974 Sydney Technical High School 1,005 983 0 0 SPECIALIST Broadmeadow School 516 503 518 553 Campbelltown High School 534 532 459 467 Newtown High School of Performing 276 298 459 445 Arts Westfields High School 683 750 626 685
Page 833
(2) The following table gives the enrolments at selective and specialist NSW high schools in 1992 and 1993 for boys in Year 7 and girls in Year 7:
1992 1993 1992 1993 Boys Boys Girls Girls Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 SELECTIVE Farrer Memorial Agricultural High 80 83 0 0 School Hurlstone Agricultural High School 66 77 76 70 James Ruse Agricultural High School 65 76 55 45 Yanco Agricultural High School 42 46 0 11 Baulkham Hills High School 92 103 88 76 Caringbah High School 77 85 71 65 Fort Street High School 94 81 56 69 Girraween High School 66 64 54 56 Gosford High School 77 88 102 92 Macquarie Fields High School 82 99 89 78 Manly High School 75 68 36 52 Merewether High School 85 85 65 65 North Sydney Boys High School 120 150 0 0 North Sydney Girls High School 0 0 120 120 Penrith High School 95 77 55 71 Sefton High School 91 110 77 61 Smiths Hill High School 54 55 66 63 St George Girls High School 0 0 150 150 Sydney Boys High School 180 177 0 0 Sydney Girls High School 0 0 150 150 Sydney Technical High School 150 150 0 0 SPECIALIST Broadmeadow School 83 74 74 107 Campbelltown High School 80 94 85 98 Newtown High School of Performing 46 52 70 68 Arts Westfields High School 143 145 140 131
Page 834
(3) The following table gives the enrolments at technology high schools in NSW for 1992 and 1993 for boys and girls:
1992 1993 1992 1993 Boys Boys Girls Girls TECHNOLOGY Batlow Technology School 71 73 79 75 Beacon Hill High School 448 458 330 292 Cherrybrook Technology High School 272 500 196 357 Doonside High School 535 527 432 441 East Hills Boys High School 853 911 0 0 East Hills Girls High School 0 0 767 794 Glendale High School 537 546 447 426 Gymea High School 451 467 367 317 James Cook Boys High School 802 806 0 0 Keira High School 508 537 423 438 Leumeah High School 530 545 432 442 Macarthur Girls High School 0 0 951 943 Macquarie Boys High School 588 642 0 0 Miller High School 414 415 366 367 Moorefield Girls High School 0 0 921 943 Moree High School 216 208 218 243 Muirfield High School 486 466 353 328 Murray High School 449 469 469 489 Nowra High School 628 584 605 575 Peel Valley High School 374 367 365 388 Randwick Boys High School 1,040 1,027 0 0 Randwick Girls High School 0 0 905 879 Rutherford High School 500 455 460 425 Wagga Wagga High School 460 482 461 500 Waratah High School 360 392 342 338 Westport High School 389 413 386 401 Wyong High School 559 568 492 499 Young High School 430 442 416 420
Page 835
(4) The following table gives the enrolments at technology high schools in NSW for 1992 and 1993 for boys in Year 7 and girls in Year 7:
1992 1993 1992 1993 Boys Boys Girls Girls Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 TECHNOLOGY Batlow Technology School 11 15 15 12 Beacon Hill High School 99 78 49 49 Cherrybrook Technology High School 115 114 76 101 Doonside High School 108 85 67 95 East Hills Boys High School 207 165 0 0 East Hills Girls High School 0 0 156 170 Glendale High School 119 107 89 81 Gymea High School 78 84 43 39 James Cook Boys High School 149 134 0 0 Keira High School 82 102 82 73 Leumeah High School 104 111 82 89 Macarthur Girls High School 0 0 167 154 Macquarie Boys High School 160 132 0 0 Miller High School 68 67 55 67 Moorefield Girls High School 0 0 168 147 Moree High School 43 55 65 51 Muirfield High School 70 78 60 49 Murray High School 94 92 86 93 Nowra High School 117 99 126 101 Peel Valley High School 78 73 73 91 Randwick Boys High School 143 165 0 0 Randwick Girls High School 0 0 128 134 Rutherford High School 79 78 84 92 Wagga Wagga High School 88 98 83 78 Waratah High School 73 86 70 62 Westport High School 59 80 62 77 Wyong High School 106 97 82 94 Young High School 71 80 83 76
274 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) Would the Draft Local Environment Plan No. 150 - Blueys Beach - concerning a rezoning of 7(f2) land in Newmans Avenue South be a breach of the Government's Coastal Policy?
(2) Would this Local Environment Plan allow the despoliation of highly scenic and unspoiled headland?
(3) Would it cause the removal of rare littoral rainforest?
(4) Would it cause pollution problems due to the lack of sewage services?
Page 836
(5) Is the site unsuitable for housing because of steep slopes and soil instability?
(6) Would it also prejudice the proposed Pacific Palms Planning Study?
(7) Will the Draft Local Environment Plan No. 150 be rejected?
(8) Is the National Parks and Wildlife Service opposed to this proposed development?
Answer___
(1) No. (2) No.
(3) No.
(4) No.
(5) No.
(6) No.
(7) No. I made Great Lakes Local Environmental Plan No. 150 on 22nd October, 1993.
(8) No.
*277 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier representing the Minister for Health___
What action is being taken to encourage the addition of folic acid to breakfast cereals and other processed food?
Answer___
The addition of folic acid to foods other than infant formula is not currently permitted under the Food Standards Code. The National Food Authority has reviewed the Standard for Vitamins and Minerals in foods and has recommended inter alia that folic acid be permitted to be added to a range of foods including breakfast cereals.
The Authority's revised draft standard will be discussed at the next meeting of the State and Territory Health Ministers.
*285 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) What work has the Department of Planning undertaken to ensure the compilation of a Potential Acid Sulphate Soils Register?
(2) What guidelines have been issued to Councils to develop this register?
(3) What action is the Department of Planning taking to ensure that the register is completed as swiftly as possible?
(4) Will the Minister consider adding to Schedule 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act those development proposals which potentially cause problems with acid sulphate soils? If not, why not?
Page 837 Answer___
(1) and (2) I am advised that the Department of Planning issued Advisory Circular No. F11: Acid Sulphate Soils on 25 February 1993 describing the approach taken by Tweed Council in compiling a register. However, the Department of Planning considers a strategic approach must be taken in planning for development in areas where potentially acid sulphate soils are located.
(3) Acid sulphate soils registers, as currently being compiled, reflect details of past problems caused by development activities. While a register of existing and past problems is useful, the Department considers that there is a forward planning advantage gained form using Soil Landscape Maps being prepared by the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CaLM).
(4) The current review of Schedule 3 has considered the potentially significant impacts from development proposals which are likely to disturb acid sulphate soils. It is proposed that the revised schedule will require the environmental impacts associated with proposed locations, such as acid sulphate soils, to be taken into account.
13 OCTOBER 1993 *292 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) Do members of the Honeysuckle Development Corporation receive payment for attending meetings of the Corporation?
(2) What is the amount of money received by each member of the Corporation for each meeting attended?
(3) What is the cost of servicing the meetings of the Corporation over the last twelve months?
(4) Are the meetings of the Corporation open to the public and the media? If not, why not?
(5) Will the Minister ensure that future meetings of the Honeysuckle Corporation are open to the public on the same basis as required under the Local Government Act 1993?
(6) Are the members of the Honeysuckle Development Corporation elected from the Local Government area? If so, on what basis are they selected? (7) How can the Honeysuckle Development Corporation justify the proposal to cut rail services to Newcastle and construct a new terminal station at Honeysuckle to replace the historic Newcastle Station and the Civic Station? What other public project is to be delayed to provide funds for this?
(8) Will the Government help the Newcastle City Council and the Newcastle community to implement the landscaped rail corridor plan which is an important part of the winning entry in the 1981 Newcastle Harbour Foreshore Landscape and Urban Design Competition?
Page 838 Answer___
(1) The non-public sector members of the Honeysuckle Development Corporation (HDC) Board are paid an annual fee in accordance with a determination by the Office of Public Management, Premier's Department. The Board normally holds 12 monthly meetings per year - in addition to these formal meetings, Board members are also involved in many informal meetings with the Honeysuckle Division of the Property Services Group as well as community workshops and presentations to potential developers and investors.
(2) The annual Board fees for non-public sector members are as follows:
Chairman $14,000 Members $9,400 (3) The HDC was established on 31 May 1992 and fees for the non-public sector Board members for the 13 month period to 30 June 1993 were $77,232. In addition to that amount, $16,298 was incurred on statutory oncosts and outgoings.
(4) The Board meetings are not open to the public and the media as they are "in confidence" meetings dealing with land and property matters of a commercial nature and under the legislation under which the Corporation is formed, there is no requirement for these to be public meetings.
(5) Refer to answer (4).
(6) The majority of the members of the Board have been selected to represent the interests of the local area. The members of the Board are appointed by the Governor on my recommendation, and selected in consultation with representatives of business, Local Government and the community in the Newcastle region. A summary of the members' qualifications is attached. (see below) (7) The decision to terminate the rail services at Civic Station was announced by the State Government in mid 1990, following the recommendations of a Transport Study by a locally based Steering Committee. The HDC was only formally established in May 1992 and before that time an Advisory Board existed from December 1990 up to May 1992. Any role the Corporation may have in the implementation of this decision is purely to co-ordinate the site area which joins Civic Station, in order to assist the Government in implementing the new bus/rail interchange which has been proposed at Civic.
No other projects have been identified as being delayed. In fact, the additional funding allocated under the joint Commonwealth-State Building Better Cities Program has meant that much of the infrastructure needed for the Honeysuckle redevelopment can be brought forward to assist in the early release of sites for private investment.
(8) Landscaping of the rail corridor will depend upon the outcomes of the integrated transport study for the Newcastle area and Hunter Region, and the review of the Honeysuckle Concept Masterplan, currently being undertaken.
HONEYSUCKLE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD
David Le Marchant, Chairman
Mr Le Marchant is a joint Managing Director of Daross Properties Pty Ltd and a partner in D&C Finance Co. He is the immediate past President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and a past President of the Newcastle Business Club. He is currently a Member of the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery Foundation Board, a Member of the Newcastle Grammar School Board, a Member of the Hunter Heritage Centre Trust and Board Member of the MSB Hunter Ports Authority. Page 839
Barry Goldstiver Mr Goldstiver is currently Plant Manager for Tomago Aluminium, Chairman of the Hunter Economic Development Council and a Director of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, the MSB Hunter Ports Authority and the Hunter Orchestra. He has previously worked as a Corporate Industrial Relations Manager with CSR. Peter Rundle, B.Comm., C.P.A., F.A.I.M. Mr Rundle is the Manager Director of Rundles Holdings Limited, one of the largest uniform/suit manufactures in Australia which began in Newcastle in the early 1900's. He is a past President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, Deputy Chairman of Hunter Economic Development Council, residential Chairman of Red Shield Appeal and a member of the Salvation Army Newcastle Advisory Board. Peter Barrack Mr Barrack is Secretary of the Newcastle Trades Hall Council. He represents the Trade Union movement on the Hunter Economic Development Council, Industry Development Centre, Australian Centre for Best Practice, Hunter Group Apprenticeship Scheme etc. Mr Barrack has been a key to the Hunter's industrial performance through a commitment to bi-partnership and tri-partite relationships. George Keegan Mr Keegan is the Former Independent Member for Newcastle and has had over 36 years experience in general business and real estate agent and valuer. A past President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a keen yachtsman and has been active in community activities; in particular fund raising for the Salvation Army and Red Cross. A life member of Apex, Chairman of the Life Without Barriers Foundation and Member of the Sisters of Mercy Management Advisory Board. Councillor John McNaughton, Lord Mayor of Newcastle Alderman McNaughton is currently Lord Mayor of Newcastle and a fourth generation Novocastrian. A Surveyor by profession, he is a managing partner in Palmer, Bruyn and Parker and has served 14 years as a member of the New South Wales Board of Surveyors. Alderman McNaughton is also a Director of the Hunter Valley Research Foundation, a former Director and Vice President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Philip Pearce, B.Comm., F.I.C.A., F.S., C.P.A. Former Chief Financial Executive, Woolworths Limited Group and Managing Partner, Arthur Anderson & Co. Other directorships include Arimco NL (Chairman), Austen & Butta Ltd, Darling Harbour Authority, Friends' Provident Life Office, Pacific Islands Gold NL, Chiat/Day/Mojo Pty Ltd, Sunbeam Victa Holdings Ltd and Silicon metals Company of Australia Ltd. Board appointments currently include: City West Development Corporation, Honeysuckle Development Corporation, Darling Harbour Authority, Friends' Provident Life Assurance Company Limited, Sunbeam Victa Holdings Limited, SGIO Insurance Limited and Australian Resources and Mining NL. Mr Pearce's professional experience includes: Chief Financial Executive - Woolworths Limited Group, Managing Partner - Arthur Anderson.
Page 840 26 OCTOBER 1993 *300 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) Is Boral Country Quarries planning to extract building sand from forested hind-dunes at Fullerton Cove relying on a 1976 approval by Port Stephens Council?
(2) Did this 1976 consent only allow sand to be taken "which is wind- blown from the adjacent beach"?
(3) Did this approval subject the development to a number of conditions including that the provisions of the Council's Tree Preservation Order be complied with in all respects to all trees upon the site?
(4) Did the consent document specify that the applicant had to pay $1 an acre (0.4 ha) for mining purposes?
(5) Was the total fee payable $4, and did this mean that only four acres was to be mined?
(6) Is the proposed development considerably in excess and in contravention of the 1976 approval?
(7) Will the Minister appoint a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into this development which is proceeding without an environmental impact study?
Answer___
(1) Yes.
(2) No.
(3) Yes.
(4) No.
(5) No.
(6) No.
(7) No.
*305 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) Did the Lake Macquarie City Council vote on 5th October 1993 for no deferral to the closing of an undeveloped and unopened Crown Road Reserve identified as Lots 1 and 2, DP 823109? (2) Was this road closure supported by the Department of Conservation and Land Management?
(3) Did you or your Department intervene on behalf of the Anson Bay (Australia) Pty Limited company and instruct the Department of Conservation and Land Management not to object to the opening of this road?
(4) Was this done without consultation with residents, Lake Macquarie City Councillors and the company Petsamo No. 52 Pty Ltd?
(5) Will the Minister explain why this road is being opened in opposition to the wishes of the residents, Councillors, Conservation and Land Management and the company?
Page 841
Answer___
(1) I am not aware of decisions taken by the Lake Macquarie City Council on 5th October, 1993.
(2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Land and Water Conservation.
(3) No.
(4) No.
(5) The matter of whether it is necessary for a section of road to be constructed to access a proposed development is the responsibility of the Council to determine when assessing an application for Development Consent.
*306 Dr Burgmann asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
What action will the Minister take over non-compliance by Wollondilly Council and the Water Board with planning laws, resulting in pesticide contamination of the water supply of Mr and Mrs Cavanagh, of Montpelier Drive, The Oaks?
Answer___
The regulation of pesticide use is a matter for NSW Agriculture and the Environment Protection Authority. If health issues may arise from such usage, the Department of Health also has responsibility. The requirements of these Department's are included in the Council's Development Application.
In regard to this matter, Wollondilly Council is the responsible authority under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. As such, this question should be forwarded to the Minister for Local Government and Co-operatives, the Hon. Garry West, M.P.
28 OCTOBER 1993 *312 Mrs Symonds asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and Minister for Mines___
(1) Did the Rural Lands Protection Boards Association Annual Report 1992 recommend that the Tweed-Lismore board raise its profile in the Community?
(2) What has the Tweed-Lismore Board done to raise its profile in the Community?
(3) What noxious plants and animals are present in the Tweed-Lismore Rural Lands Protection Board area of responsibility?
(4) What information is published or displayed by the Board which shows the incidence of noxious plants and animals in the TLRLPB area?
(5) Is the information, as to the effectiveness of eradication programs, gathered by the Noxious Weeds Advisory Council for the Minister and the Boards across NSW available for 7,255 residents who pay rates to the Tweed-Lismore Rural Lands Protection Board?
Page 842 Answer___
(1) No.
(2) The Board does have a pamphlet printed which explains the duties and role of the Board, a copy of which was enclosed with each rate notice which was sent out in 1993. The Board meetings are always open to the public, should they wish to attend, the local press are always advised of the dates of meetings and invited to attend.
(3) Within this district there is a presence of all three declared noxious animals, ie., rabbits, wild dogs and feral pigs. There are also instances where the Board is called on to issue baits for fox control. The control of noxious plants is a Local Government responsibility and in this district the various Councils have established the Far North Coast County Council which is the weed control authority in this District.
The only involvement which the Board has with noxious weed control is confined to areas of Travelling Stock Reserves which are under the control of the Board. The only problem area the Board has in this regard is a groundsel bush infestation which has to be treated annually.
(4) The only published information on noxious animals is the Board's annual report to the Rural Lands Protection Boards' Association which is included in the Association's corporate Annual Report.
(5) Noxious weed control is the responsibility of the Far North Coast County Council not the Rural Lands Protection Board.
10 NOVEMBER 1993 *318 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) Why are there no women on the nine member Board of Directors of the Honeysuckle Development Corporation?
(2) Was it not possible to find any women in Newcastle capable of doing the job?
Answer___
(1) and (2) The Honeysuckle Development Corporation Board members were appointed to bring a mix of skills and experience from the local community and government, trade union movement and business. The appointment of the members was not made on the basis of sex.
*319 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) Has approval been given to develop the Lake Oberon Hard Rock Quarry by Oberon Quarries Pty Ltd with conditions set exactly as those set down by Commissioner Cleland?
(2) If not, have these conditions been watered down as a result of discussions with the developer?
(3) Have many of the restrictions placed on the development by the Commissioner for protection of the environment been removed?
(4) If so, can the Minister explain why this has happened?
Page 843 Answer___
(1) I granted consent for the hard rock quarry with only minor changes to the conditions recommended by Commissioner Cleland. Those changes were for legal drafting purposes, clarity and operational efficiency. The Commissioner foreshadowed during his Inquiry that these changes might be necessary.
(2) No.
(a) None.
(b) See (1).
*321 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) How many complaints have been laid before the Builders Licensing Board in the past 24 months concerning Walker Corporation Pty Limited?
(2) What were these complaints?
(3) What was the result concerning each of these complaints?
Answer___
(1) In the past 24 months three complaints have been received by the Building Services Corporation against Walker Corporation Pty Limited. The Builders Licensing Board ceased to exist in 1987.
(2) Two complaints were lodged by a managing strata agent in respect of a group of 34 townhouses at Wollongong which were constructed in 1988. The items of complaint were classified as general defects by the Building Services Corporation.
The third complaint related to items of defective work at a townhouse at Caringbah.
(3) The two complaints concerning the townhouses at Wollongong are still under investigation as rectification work is currently being carried out by Walker Corporation Pty Limited.
The third complaint was finalised as No Further Action after the items of defective work were rectified by the builder.
*322 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___ (1) Did the then Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore and the then Minister for Natural Resources, Ian Causley commit the coalition government to a State Wetlands policy in 1988?
(2) Has this policy been finalised?
(3) When will the policy be implemented rather than just the current guidelines?
Answer___
(1) to (3) The proposal for a wetlands policy for the State falls within the portfolio of the Minister for Land and Water Conservation and the questions should therefore be directed to him.
Page 844 *325 Mr Jones asked the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and Minister for Mines___
(1) Was a condition of consent to the mining of land known as H1 on the Kurnell Peninsula adjacent to Towra Point Nature Reserve, that the land was to be progressively rehabilitated and on completion of the lease, the land was to be transferred to the National Parks & Wildlife Services for addition to the Towra Point Nature Reserve?
(2) Was mining and rehabilitation due to be completed by the end of 1992?
(3) Was the mining operation transferred from the Hooker group of companies to Metro Mix?
(4) Did the Minister for Planning grant a one year extension to Metro Mix to complete extraction and rehabilitation?
(5) Does this extension expire at the end of 1993?
(6) Has the operation been inspected to ensure compliance with the conditions of consent? If not, why not?
(7) Did the Hooker group of companies post a bond against satisfactory completion of the rehabilitation?
(8) If this bond was posted what has happened to the money?
(9) Does the present lease with Metro Mix require rehabilitation? (10) Will the extraction and rehabilitation be completed satisfactorily by the end of 1993?
Answer___
(1) to (10) I am advised by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Mines that the matters raised in the Honourable Member's question do not fall within his portfolio.
14 DECEMBER 1993 360 Mrs Isaksen to ask the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for Energy and Minister for Local Government and Co-operatives___
How many school leavers have commenced employment with Sydney Electricity as:
(a) apprentices;
(b) clerical workers in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993?
361 Mrs Isaksen to ask the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier representing the Minister for Health___
(1) What hospitals provide dentures or dental services in the Northern Metropolitan Area Health Region?
(2) What is the waiting time for:
(a) provision of dentures; and
(b) other dental services?
Page 845 362 Mrs Isaksen to ask the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier representing the Minister for Health___
(1) How many children are waiting for ear, nose and throat surgery at Mona Vale Hospital?
(2) How many are:
(a) public patients; (b) private patients; and (c) what is the waiting time for (a) and (b)? 363 Mrs Isaksen to ask the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier representing the Minister for Health___
How many beds, both at Mona Vale Hospital and Manly District Hospital, will close over the Christmas period and for what duration?
364 Dr Burgmann to ask the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and Minister for Mines___
(1) Could the Minister provide full details of the effect of mine subsidence caused by long wall mining on homes in:
(c) the Woolrising area; and
(d) other areas of NSW where long wall mining occurs or has occurred?
(2) Could the Minister provide details of the Rae exhibit, quoted on page 118 of the Dey Report?
365 Dr Burgmann to ask the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier representing the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing___
(1) Is it a fact that approximately $6.5 million is to be spent on upgrading Goulburn Race Course?
(2) What, if any, other country race courses have received large monetary grants?
(3) In what electorates are these race courses located?
366 Mrs Walker to ask the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, and Vice- President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Police and Minister for Emergency Services___
(1) What police are stationed at the Lismore Police Citizens' Youth Clubs?
(2) What are their names, rank and their length of service at the Lismore Clubs?
Page 846 (3) Did the Committee of the Lismore Police Citizens' Youth Clubs write to the following people:
(a) Commissioner of Police; (b) Branch Commander of the Federation of New South Wales Police Citizens Youth Clubs? (4) Was the purpose of those letters to do with:
(a) Staffing at the Club;
(b) Problems with members of the Service?
(5) If so, what was the complaint, and who was the member of the Service involved, their rank and location of duty?
(6) Was any member of the Service counselled and if so, what was their name, rank and location of duty?
(7) Has any member been put under duress for transfer by Inspector Frank Weiss?
(8) Will you have an investigation into whether, or not, Inspector Weiss did place duress on one of the police personnel attached to the Police Citizens' Youth Club?
(9) Is there any evidence of a member of the public in the Lismore District being threatened, or intimidated about the Lismore Police Citizens' Youth Club?
(10) Is there any inquiry being conducted by:
(a) the Ombudsman; (b) the Internal Affairs Branch, or
(c) internally, by the Federation itself, into the Lismore Police Citizens' Youth Club on circumstances in the letters sent to the Commissioner and the Federation? If not, will you cause inquiries to be made into the Club with regard to those letters?
(11) Is there any evidence of a member of the Police Service attached to the Lismore Police Citizens' Youth Club receiving monies for lectures in regard to protective behaviour, or similar? If so:
(a) What are the payments? (b) Are they approved by the Police Service?
(c) Has permission been sought for such lectures or any payments, or were the payments approved by the Commissioner of Police? (d) Will inquiries be conducted into all aspects of this matter?
Page 847 367 Mr Jones to ask the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
When will the Minister act to formally recognise as SEPP 26 Littoral Rainforest, the area proposed by Kiama Council and supported by an independent study on Lot 22 (DP 511283) at Gerroa?
368 Mr Jones to ask the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for the Environment___
(1) What action is the National Parks and Wildlife Service taking to acquire property for access at Yadboro, Nerriga, Sassafras to New Haven Gap and Sassafras Ettrema Plateau, where some new property owners have recently taken action to stop access by the old fire trails to the Morton National Park?
(2) If not, how is legal access being provided in the proposed plan of management of Morton Budawang's National Parks.
369 Mr Jones to ask the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier representing the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads___
(1) Why were traffic flow figures offered by the Roads and Traffic Authority to prospective tenderers for the North West Transport Link based on outdated information? For instance 1989 Department of Planning land use and demographic projections were used including plans for a city of 250,000 in Rouse Hill by 2010 and a toll of 70 cents, whereas current Rouse Hill predictions are for 40,000 residents by 2010 with further growth based around Riverstone rail line, and a toll of $2.
(2) As the M2 has always been assumed to be unviable without a large government subsidy what effect will the above changes in parameters have on its viability, and the level of government subsidy?
370 Mr Egan to ask the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, and Vice- President of the Executive Council representing the Premier and Minister for Economic Development___
(1) (a) What is the total loss the State Bank of New South Wales has suffered, both by lending to and/or investing in:
(i)Girvan; (ii)Charterhall; and
(iii)Farrow Corp and Pyramid Building Society?
(b) What is the breakdown of the total loss between Girvan, Charterhall, the Farrow Corp and Pyramid Building Society?
(2) (a) What major consultant's fees has the State Bank of New South Wales paid in recent years?
(b) Has the Bank engaged Dr Michael Crawford or Corex Pty Ltd in a consulting capacity in recent years?
(c) If the answer to 2(b) is yes, what fees have been paid to either Dr Michael Crawford or Corex Pty Ltd to date, and what fees are still owing?
Page 848 371 Mr Jones to ask the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) Is the Property Services division of the Department of Planning disposing of land on the corner of Park and Waratah Streets Mona Vale, which were previously set aside for TAFE?
(2) Is the bushland on this site the only surviving example of lowland woodland on shale soil in the Mona Vale and northern beaches locality?
(3) Have 120 species of native plants been identified on the site?
(4) Is one of these a mutant form of Oxylobium ilicifolium?
(5) Is this site a potential fauna habitat for koalas because of the presence of mature Eucalyptus punctata and Eucalyptus haemastoma?
(6) Is it habitat presently for other marsupials as well as birds, reptiles and invertebrates?
(7) Is it a wildlife corridor linking Bayview Golf Club and bushland Ingleside?
(8) Will the Minister ensure in the disposal of this land that the bushland on this site remains intact for all the points raised above?
372 Mr Jones to ask the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing representing the Minister for Land and Water Conservation___ (1) Has the Minister mislead the media and the public on the question of wilderness and wilderness nominations in New South Wales?
(2) Did the Minister claim that no logging was taking place in wilderness areas when logging was taking place in both the Deua and Coolangubra wildernesses?
(3) Did he make statements about the impact of wilderness nominations on New South Wales timber supplies?
(4) Did he claim that 92% of old growth areas were in conservation areas when in fact less than 10% of the richest old growth forests are safe in National Parks and other reserves?
(5) Did he say in the Sydney Morning Herald on 27 November that forest conservation groups are "firing in a number of wilderness nominations" when in fact there have been no new nominations since last year, and that over 90% of State Forests is unaffected anyway by wilderness nominations?
373 Mr Jones to ask the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Minister for Tourism, and Minister Assisting the Premier representing the Minister for Transport and Minister for Roads___
(1) Will the Minister confirm that the following statement was made by the former Premier N. F. Greiner which appeared in the Western Sydney Business Review Weekly on 15 October 1990, who at the same time claimed to be "amazed" at the "totally one-sided" report?
"We were all set to go with the Castlereagh Freeway until the Commission's report. We have now got to find a way to address the issues that are raised there."
Page 849 (2) Will the Minister confirm that the former Premier announced on Channel 9 on August 18, 1990 that he would "fight the report"?
(3) Did the former Premier and the Minister for Roads then instruct the RTADirector, Robert Frances Morris to "find a way" to fight the report?
(4) Was the way found to fight the report, detailed in the minute paper (F2/201.11451) dated 4 September 1990, from Morris to the Minister, namely to predetermine the project in breach of the Environmental Planning and Assessment legislation?
(5) Would the Minister confirm that N.F. Greiner is now a Deputy Director of Statewide Roads, part of the Consortium known as the Norwest Motor Company which has placed an expression of interest with the RTAto construct the F2?
(6) Is it true that Mr Morris is encouraging expressions of interest to specify "legislation or regulation to facilitate implementation of the project"?
(7) Does such legislation mean deals involving large sums of public money along the lines of those now in place for the Harbour Tunnel, the M4 and M5, and the subject of interest to the Auditor-General?
(8) Is Robert Frances Morris to be rewarded for his efforts on behalf of the F2 and its backers, by promotion to Chief Executive on Bernard Fisk's retirement, while allegations of improper conduct made in this House on 16 October 1993 have not been refuted by the Government or the Minister?
374 Mr Jones to ask the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing___
(1) Did Boral Reserves (Country) Pty Ltd destroy WWII radar station buildings off Cox's Lane in the parish of Stowell, Port Stephen?
(2) Were the WWII buildings on land zoned 5(a) considered special purposes in the statutory planning scheme for Port Stephens - Local Environmental Plan 1987?
(3) Did the Company extract sand from this land and reduce it to a bare flat area?
(4) Was a Development Application lodged with the Port Stephens Council as required before this activity could be carried out on land zoned 5(a) Special Purposes?
(5) Did the Port Stephens Council give its consent to these activities, and can the Minister obtain a copy of the Development Application and Consent documents?
(6) Did a sand extraction Company remove the adjacent Public Reserve No. 170039 even though this is not an allowable activity on land zoned 6(a) Public Recreation?
(7) Was the landscape removed from Reserve No. 170039 (dedicated for the preservation of the environment) and a haulage road constructed across the Reserve without the consent of the Port Stephens Council and the knowledge of the Department administering Crown Land Reserves?
(8) Is the Minister aware that the Port Stephens Council have advised him, and the NSW Department of Planning and the general public, that the sand extraction Company is operating within the conditions of a consent document issued by the Council in 1976 even though they are not able to provide a copy of this document for perusal?
Page 850 (9) Is the Minister able to verify the accuracy of this advice even if the consent documents cannot be located by the Council?
(10) Will the Minister institute a commission of enquiry into the Port Stephens' Council Planning Department and the Council's ability to control extractive industry in their area?
(11) What action is the Government taking to control the destruction of lands such as this in the coastal zone of NSW?
375 Mr Jones to ask the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, and Vice- President of the Executive Council representing the Premier and Minister for Economic Development___
(1) Has the Premier's request to the Minister for Land and Water Conservation that no logging on land affected by wilderness nominations in the Glen Innes Forest Management Area been enforced?
(2) If logging is occurring in these wilderness areas, is such logging a de facto decision not to declare Wilderness Areas in the Glen Innes Forest Management Area, thereby pre-empting Cabinet's consideration of the issue and contrary to your wishes?
(3) Are the wilderness areas in the Glen Innes Forest Management Area covered by the Resources Audit of the upper north east of NSW now being undertaken by the Natural Resources Audit Council?
(4) As the information which the audit collects will help the Government make balanced decisions about future use and management of public lands in the upper north east of NSW, and be in accordance with the provisions of the National Forest Policy Strategy which you signed in December 1992, will you instruct the Minister for Land and Water Conservation to prevent any logging of wilderness and old growth forests in this region until the audit is complete?
John Evans Clerk of the Parliaments
______Authorised by the Parliament of New South Wales