Ms CARTER - 2002-06-19
Minister, as you know we are having problems at Cullen Bay Beach. All the sand between the high water mark, the footpath and the rock area is virtually covered now by a creeper. Superficial trimming is not really having any decent effect on it. What we need, as I think you are aware, is for the transfer of jurisdiction from your department to Darwin City Council. Can you give some advice as to when you would expect that transfer to occur?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin. We had a very interesting discussion through the newspaper columns recently about somebody arguing about the weed conquering the sand at Cullen Bay. A letter today gave a very clear indication that the so-called weed is a native species - actually two native species - that invade empty spaces and work positively to maintain the sand dune.
My department has been maintaining the sand dune and there is no intention to cut this weed completely because that will increase the erosion of the sand dunes. We are working very closely with the Darwin City Council. However, they would like the department to eliminate the weed completely and provide some grassed areas. That is something that is currently being negotiated between my Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment and the Darwin City Council. Very soon, I hope that we will have some positive outcomes.
Ms Carter: When do you think though, roughly?
Mr VATSKALIS: Well, my department would like to do it as soon as possible and Darwin City Council has its own agenda. Let us get together and sort it out. I cannot give a time frame, but we are working towards transferring the land to the Darwin City Council.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin. We had a very interesting discussion through the newspaper columns recently about somebody arguing about the weed conquering the sand at Cullen Bay. A letter today gave a very clear indication that the so-called weed is a native species - actually two native species - that invade empty spaces and work positively to maintain the sand dune.
My department has been maintaining the sand dune and there is no intention to cut this weed completely because that will increase the erosion of the sand dunes. We are working very closely with the Darwin City Council. However, they would like the department to eliminate the weed completely and provide some grassed areas. That is something that is currently being negotiated between my Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment and the Darwin City Council. Very soon, I hope that we will have some positive outcomes.
Ms Carter: When do you think though, roughly?
Mr VATSKALIS: Well, my department would like to do it as soon as possible and Darwin City Council has its own agenda. Let us get together and sort it out. I cannot give a time frame, but we are working towards transferring the land to the Darwin City Council.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016