Mr WOOD - 2001-11-27
In reference to Middle Arm in Weddell, and remembering the recent debacle about the proposed land acquisition on the Middle Arm Road, will the minister put on hold the acquisition of land; a moratorium on extractive mining; a halt to the building of a road through the mangroves to Wickham Point - that incidentally Phillips Petroleum said they do not actually need at the present time - until there is a firm policy on the following: a Darwin Harbour national conservation park; a study of alternative sites for gas and gas associated industries outside of the harbour; an environmental study to allow an appropriate design for the road to Wickham Point when it is needed; future proposed aquaculture sites; and a series of new innovative designs showing the future city of Weddell? Does the minister agree that unless this is done, unless the public, professionals, councils and planners are not involved in any new design, then the only thing we are going to plan for is an embarrassing disaster?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank to the member for Nelson for his question. I agree on many things with the member for Nelson, but these are some of the things we disagree totally on. I have to say to him that we are not putting a hold to the acquisition of land, I will not put a moratorium on extractive mining, I will not put on hold the building of the road, and I will work very hard to bring the gas industry to Darwin.
During the Economic Development Summit the industry and business community in Darwin urged the government to show leadership and to bring the gas to Darwin. I believe this had bipartisan support and the Leader of the Opposition and the members of the opposition, support us fully in this issue. I am not going to review sites, I am not going to go back, I am not going to start from scratch. We want this gas industry in Darwin, we are going to do it. We are going to put infrastructure in place to show the gas industry we are ready and prepared to have the gas industry in Darwin.
With regards to the harbour, as the member for Nelson is aware, we are drawing up a plan of management for Darwin Harbour. I will advise the House in the near future of what is happening there. I have also ordered a review of the Planning Act, and will address some of the issues that the member for Nelson is concerned about. Of course, with regards to the agricultural, I discussed that issue with officers from my department, and also with the industry itself. We want the industry to progress in the Territory because we consider it a benefit for all Territorians.
With regards to Weddell, it is something that we have to think very carefully about. I am happy to take on board the comments from the member of Nelson, and I am prepared to sit down with him and discuss it further, and also with members of the community. I have said before, we are here to develop the Territory. Especially with the gas, I am very happy to have bipartisan support. We are going to continue this way, we are not going to review sites. I am very sorry that he is not going to be satisfied with my answer, but there is no way back.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank to the member for Nelson for his question. I agree on many things with the member for Nelson, but these are some of the things we disagree totally on. I have to say to him that we are not putting a hold to the acquisition of land, I will not put a moratorium on extractive mining, I will not put on hold the building of the road, and I will work very hard to bring the gas industry to Darwin.
During the Economic Development Summit the industry and business community in Darwin urged the government to show leadership and to bring the gas to Darwin. I believe this had bipartisan support and the Leader of the Opposition and the members of the opposition, support us fully in this issue. I am not going to review sites, I am not going to go back, I am not going to start from scratch. We want this gas industry in Darwin, we are going to do it. We are going to put infrastructure in place to show the gas industry we are ready and prepared to have the gas industry in Darwin.
With regards to the harbour, as the member for Nelson is aware, we are drawing up a plan of management for Darwin Harbour. I will advise the House in the near future of what is happening there. I have also ordered a review of the Planning Act, and will address some of the issues that the member for Nelson is concerned about. Of course, with regards to the agricultural, I discussed that issue with officers from my department, and also with the industry itself. We want the industry to progress in the Territory because we consider it a benefit for all Territorians.
With regards to Weddell, it is something that we have to think very carefully about. I am happy to take on board the comments from the member of Nelson, and I am prepared to sit down with him and discuss it further, and also with members of the community. I have said before, we are here to develop the Territory. Especially with the gas, I am very happy to have bipartisan support. We are going to continue this way, we are not going to review sites. I am very sorry that he is not going to be satisfied with my answer, but there is no way back.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016