Dr LIM - 1994-10-05
Can the minister confirm that a native title claim has been lodged over the Desert Wildlife Park in central Australia, a claim that also includes the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve? If so, is the minister able to guarantee that a construction program, which was recently announced for the park, will not be impeded?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Indeed, there is a native title claim over both the Telegraph Station and the Desert Wildlife Park. Members will be aware that approximately $1m-worth of contracts are about to be let for the Desert Wildlife Park. Indeed, Cabinet has provided the wildlife park with an additional $2m to accelerate that program so that the park may be opened in 1996. I can tell members also that Mr Barry Rowe, who developed the Territory Wildlife Park in the Top End, has visited the proposed park in Alice Springs. It is my intention to have Mr Rowe as the project manager, if you like, for that project. He has provided ...
Mrs Padgham-Purich: That is the best decision you could have made.
Mr COULTER: That is right. He has a reputation for not being a people person, but he certainly gets things done. He has made some excellent decisions already in respect of methods of improving the park and accelerating its development.
Unfortunately, late yesterday, I received advice from the Department of Law that I should not proceed with the letting of any further contracts and that work should cease on the
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Desert Wildlife Park until the claim can be resolved because, under the native title legislation, compensation would have to be paid. The taxpayers would not tolerate having to forgo any fixtures, improvements or work carried out there should a native title claim over the Desert Wildlife Park be successful. I intend to keep a very close eye on this matter and I will plead that this proposal be allowed to proceed, but I do not hold out a great deal of hope in that regard. The official ceremony for the turning of the first sod was scheduled for 18 October 1994 but, following the Department of Law's advice today, I intend to issue instructions today that work should cease. Further development of the Desert Wildlife Park in Alice Springs will be postponed indefinitely as a result of this native title claim.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Indeed, there is a native title claim over both the Telegraph Station and the Desert Wildlife Park. Members will be aware that approximately $1m-worth of contracts are about to be let for the Desert Wildlife Park. Indeed, Cabinet has provided the wildlife park with an additional $2m to accelerate that program so that the park may be opened in 1996. I can tell members also that Mr Barry Rowe, who developed the Territory Wildlife Park in the Top End, has visited the proposed park in Alice Springs. It is my intention to have Mr Rowe as the project manager, if you like, for that project. He has provided ...
Mrs Padgham-Purich: That is the best decision you could have made.
Mr COULTER: That is right. He has a reputation for not being a people person, but he certainly gets things done. He has made some excellent decisions already in respect of methods of improving the park and accelerating its development.
Unfortunately, late yesterday, I received advice from the Department of Law that I should not proceed with the letting of any further contracts and that work should cease on the
Page 169
Desert Wildlife Park until the claim can be resolved because, under the native title legislation, compensation would have to be paid. The taxpayers would not tolerate having to forgo any fixtures, improvements or work carried out there should a native title claim over the Desert Wildlife Park be successful. I intend to keep a very close eye on this matter and I will plead that this proposal be allowed to proceed, but I do not hold out a great deal of hope in that regard. The official ceremony for the turning of the first sod was scheduled for 18 October 1994 but, following the Department of Law's advice today, I intend to issue instructions today that work should cease. Further development of the Desert Wildlife Park in Alice Springs will be postponed indefinitely as a result of this native title claim.
Page 170
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016