Mike Elliott: Reply to Beachport Boat Ramp Question

Extract from Hansard

Legislative Council
25 September 2001

Mike Elliott
Leader Australian Democrats
Member of the Legislative Council

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In reply to Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT (6 July 2001) and answered by letter on 15 August 2001.

Will the Minister say whether or not she has received assurances from the Council and that, in the absence of such assurances, she will not give funding to facilitate the construction of the works?

As indicated at the time the Honourable Member asked this question, I have received from the Wattle Range Council assurances regarding sand management, the on-going care, control and management of the facility, and for the safety of swimmers. Those assurances were agreed by me as being appropriate, and the hold on the funds which I had previously applied, has been lifted.

Is my understanding correct that whilst the advice upon which the planning approval was granted was that the construction of the ramp would be okay, more recently some of the experts within Government have been expressing concern in relation to its construction?

It is my understanding that, at the time the Coast Protection Board provided its advice to the Development Assessment Commission, it believed the ramp would be located on a limestone reef. Having discovered that error, staff of the Board have expressed the view that the sand replenishment which is already required in the area will need to be undertaken more regularly.

By way of supplementary question, will the Minister tell us whether those terms and conditions are public and, if not, is she prepared to make them so?

1. That the Council accept full responsibility for future sand management implications and give an assurance that the Council will not seek financial support from the State Government for any sand management activities.

2. That the care, control and management of the facility be the responsibility of the Wattle Range Council.

3. That risks to swimmers immediately adjacent to the proposed facility be managed.

As indicated in my response to the Honourable Member, the area for which the Council has accepted full sand management responsibility has been delineated on a map. In summary, the area includes from the beach outward to the seaward side of the breakwater, bounded on the northern side by a line from the northern end of the breakwater to the groyne immediately north of the existing boat ramp, and on the southern side by a line from the southern end of the breakwater perpendicular to the adjacent shore.

I also note that this arrangement is based on the Council maintaining its normal sand management operations in the areas adjacent to the area designated as the Council's sole responsibility.