Extract from Hansard Legislative Council 6 July 2001
Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council		Parliament Index 2001 Autumn Sitting Index Browse by Subject   Search all Democrats material About the SA Parliament Hansard on line

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 4 July. Page 1858.)

The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I understand that this bill is about to be sent to a select committee. As I expect to be the Democrat representative on that committee, I should not state too many positions right now until we have heard all the evidence. The one general comment that I will make about the West Beach Recreation Reserve is that if there is any part of Adelaide's real estate that the white shoe brigade would not mind getting its hands on it is probably the West Beach Recreation Reserve.

In those circumstances, the outcome of the select committee and the legislation that emerges from it will be vitally important. In years to come, governments of the past 15 years will be judged fairly harshly for what they have allowed to be done to our coastal areas. Our coastal areas were unparalleled in the world in terms of their naturalness, to a greater or lesser extent, but the white shoe brigade and others have got their teeth into them in a significant way.

I think we must be careful that we leave for future generations something of lasting value rather than looking for a quick buck. There is no question that the West Beach Recreation Reserve as a recreational area and open space is highly significant. It also contains some of the few remaining sand dunes on the Adelaide coastline. There are many person hours and dollars going into trying to help sand dunes in other areas recover, and quite a bit has been spent to defend the sand dunes on this site. This reserve is significant recreationally and environmentally; it is a significant public open space. As I said, I think the outcome of the select committee and the ultimate legislation which emerges from that will be important. It is one more matter upon which we will be judged in years to come.

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