10403 PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 2007-08-09-10 FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS No. 215 TUESDAY 3 AUGUST 2010 The Questions and Answers Paper is published at the end of each sitting day and will contain, by number and title, all unanswered questions, together with questions to which answers have been received on that 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. During any adjournment of two weeks or more a Questions and Answers Paper will be published from time to time containing answers received. 10404 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TUESDAY 3 AUGUST 2010 Publication of Questions Answer to be lodged by Q & A No. 211 (Including Question Nos 11000 to 11035) 27 July 2010 Q & A No. 212 (Including Question Nos 11036 to 11071) 28 July 2010 Q & A No. 213 (Including Question Nos 11072 to 11165) 29 July 2010 Q & A No. 214 (Questions—Nil) - Q & A No. 215 (Questions—Nil) - 10405 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TUESDAY 3 AUGUST 2010 22 JUNE 2010 (Paper No. 211) *110012010-11 BUDGET—FAIR TRADING—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for the Arts— Given the Minister's post-Budget statement regarding the $17.6 million invested in frontline services, how much was expended during the 2009-10 financial year on the following: (a) Tenancy Advice & Advocacy; (b) Financial Counselling; (c) No interest Loans Scheme; (d) Aged Support Accommodation; (e) Rental Bond Board; (f) Home Building Advocacy Service? Answer— During the 2009-10 financial year a total of $16,253,992.95 was expended in relation to the following grants programs: (a) Tenancy Advice & Advocacy: $8,777,404.52 (b) Financial Counselling: $5,390,929.24 (c) No interest Loans Scheme: $1,467,110.18 (d) Aged Support Accommodation: $413,412.78 (e) Rental Bond Board: $56,427.89 (f) Home Building Advocacy Service: $148,708.34 *11002HEALTH BUDGET—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— With reference to the NSW 2010-11 Budget Paper No. 3: (1) What funding has been allocated to the Albury Wodonga Health service? (2) What is the capital works component of this funding? (3) Given that Albury Hospital did not receive part of the $49.6 million additional funding to reduce elective surgery waiting lists in 2009-10, what funds will be specifically allocated to make good this oversight in 2010-11? (4) What funding will be provided to expand the Community Acute⁄Post Acute Care program in Albury in 2010-11? (5) What funding has been allocated to the other health services in the Albury electorate? (6) What improvements will be made to the Multi Purpose Services in the Albury electorate? (7) What expenditure and enhancements to service will be provided for Mental Health services in the Albury electorate in 2010-11? Answer— I am advised that: (1) to (7) Greater Southern Area Health Service is currently reviewing its overall 2010-11 budget allocation and is finalising internal allocations including those to Albury Hospital. *11003HEALTHONE CENTRE—COROWA—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Deputy Premier, and Minister for Health— Given that the original completion date for the HealthOne centre at Corowa was announced as March 2008, what is the timeline for construction and operation of this long-awaited facility? Answer— I am advised: Commencement of construction remains planned for September⁄October 2010 with completion of the Greater Southern Area Health Service component scheduled for June 2011. *11004ILLEGAL FISHING IN AQUATIC RESERVES—Mr Mike Baird asked the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer)— (1) Has the Department of Industry and Investment NSW considered increasing the fine for illegal fishing in aquatic reserves? (2) How many cases of illegal fishing occurred in the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve in each of the 10406 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TUESDAY 3 AUGUST 2010 past five years? (3) What action has the department taken to prevent recent cases of illegal fishing in aquatic reserves, such as Cabbage Tree Bay? Answer— This question has been referred to me for response since I have responsibility for administering Division 2 of Part 7 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994. I am advised as follows: (1) The current penalty notice amount for illegal fishing in aquatic reserves is $500. This is consistent with the penalty notices for illegal fishing in contravention of marine park sanctuary zones and fishing closures. The Fisheries Management (Aquatic Reserves) Regulation 2002 is due for review and staged repeal in 2011. This will provide an opportunity to review matters such as the appropriateness of existing penalty notice amounts. (2) Since 2004, seven enforcement actions have been recorded for illegal fishing in the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. (3) Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve is regularly patrolled. For example, on the afternoon of Saturday 26 June 2010, fisheries officers from Industry & Investment NSW and Council rangers undertook patrols of the reserve at different times. No illegal fishing was identified. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, Industry & Investment NSW and Manly Council will continue to work co-operatively on improving compliance with the aquatic reserve regulations at Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. *11005BIOMASS GENERATOR—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Minister for Mineral and Forest Resources, Minister for Ports and Waterways, and Minister for the Illawarra— Do you support the concept proposed by South East Fibre Exports to build a biomass generator? Answer— Yes. *11006SOLAR BONUS SCHEME—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Commerce, Minister for Energy, Minister for Public Sector Reform, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— Given your advice the Government's decision to introduce a Solar Bonus Scheme, commencing on 1 January 2010, will provide a significant boost for renewable energy in NSW and has the potential to create an additional 500 green jobs (Question 7089): (1) In what ways has the introduction of the Solar Bonus Scheme had a significant boost on the development and implementation of renewable energy projects in NSW? (2) What is the number of additional green jobs created under the Solar Bonus Scheme since January 2010? Answer— (1) and (2) Electricity distributors are required to report on the Solar Bonus Scheme's uptake every six months. The first report is due in late July 2010. The Scheme's legislation provides for a Ministerial review, the purpose of which will be to determine whether this and other objectives remain valid and whether the Electricity Supply Act remains appropriate for securing them. A report on the outcome of the review will be tabled in each House of Parliament. *11007TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Premier, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo— (1) (a) How many temporary workers are currently employed by NSW Government departments? (b) At what cost to taxpayers? (2) (a) How many temporary workers have been employed by NSW Government departments since July 2009? (b) At what cost to taxpayers? Answer— I am advised that: As at 18 March 2010 there were 24,546 temporary employees in the NSW Public Sector. 10407 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TUESDAY 3 AUGUST 2010 These temporary employees were each paid in accordance with the appropriate industrial instrument. Total commencements for the sector is collected in the annual workforce profile, which is not yet complete for 2009-10. *11008STRICKLAND HOUSE ESTATE—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Minister for the State Plan, and Minister for Community Services representing the Minister for Planning, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Lands— Given your advice the State Property Authority is currently examining various options for the future use of Strickland House for consideration by the Government (Question 10499), what are those options currently being examined for the future use of Strickland House? Answer— Any future development of Strickland House Estate may include limited commercial options including a café or restaurant type operation. Additional options may become evident after completion of a master planning exercise. That exercise will include extensive community consultation. *11009CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEYS—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Premier, and Minister for Redfern Waterloo— Given your advice that it is planned to conduct whole-of-government surveys of customer satisfaction in the future (Question 10193), and that the Department of Premier and Cabinet conducted customer satisfaction surveys in 2008 but not in 2009 (Question 8700): (1) When will whole-of-government surveys of customer satisfaction be conducted? (2) Why did the Department of Premier and Cabinet fail to conduct a customer satisfaction survey in 2009? (3) (a) Will the department conduct a customer satisfaction survey in 2010? (b) If not, why not? Answer— I am advised: Departments conduct customer satisfaction surveys in relation to a range of issues and collect feedback from their customers and this information is used to improve services. In addition, the Department of Premier and Cabinet will continue to periodically conduct whole-of government customer satisfaction surveys. *11010BOARDERS AND LODGERS—Mr Victor Dominello asked the Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for the Arts— (1) What action has the Government taken to stop the financial exploitation of boarders and lodgers? (2) What legal protection is afforded to boarders and lodgers in the event of a tenancy dispute? (3) Will the Government consider introducing legislation to protect boarders and lodgers? Answer— (1) Boarders and lodgers can obtain information about their rights from NSW Fair Trading. In addition, free financial advice and counselling services are funded by Fair Trading's Financial Counselling Services Program. Tenants, boarders and lodgers can access free information, community education, advice and advocacy services from organisations that are funded through Fair Trading's Tenants Advice and Advocacy Program.