Mr BURKE - 2003-08-12
As your Chief Minister does not seem to understand how this project could proceed, I will direct my question to you. Can you explain how an EIS can be conducted now for the Darwin waterfront before a detailed proposal is received and approved by government, when you do not know the drainage lines or quantities, the traffic numbers or flow, the waste levels, or the impact on the escarpment - to name just a few of the core issues. By proceeding now with an EIS, does that not suggest collusion between the government and a chosen developer, therefore rendering the expression of interest proposal a farce?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, that question was a little out of order.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Yes, we are going to commission an environmental impact assessment for the simple reason that that particular site has been an industrial site for a large number of years. There is evidence of materials dumped, and hydrocarbon contamination. You had – even in your time – a bitumen plant, also iron ore and other minerals loaded. In addition to that, a preliminary examination found an asbestos dump.
We are going to do an environmental impact assessment before we start doing anything there to identify any possible problems, because, at the same time, you have to do something before you start digging to provide the basic services. If a future developer comes, he has to provide an environmental assessment with regards to his or her own development ...
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, obviously they are not interested in hearing what is really going to happen. The only thing they are interested to hear is their own voices. My colleague, the member for Wanguri, is quite right. He said they are shedding crocodile tears at the moment. Do I have to remind them that it was their government that rezoned the wharf precinct to Central Business District, and that, in their own documentation in 1999, they indicated a major exhibition and convention centre at the wharf. Why didn’t they care then about putting a convention centre near the mall, in the old Woolworths site? Now they want it there.
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was specifically about an EIS of a development project; nothing about Woolworths and the CBD.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The minister will answer the question in his own way. Minister, get on with it. You know I have no control over that. Have you finished?
Mr VATSKALIS: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, that question was a little out of order.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Yes, we are going to commission an environmental impact assessment for the simple reason that that particular site has been an industrial site for a large number of years. There is evidence of materials dumped, and hydrocarbon contamination. You had – even in your time – a bitumen plant, also iron ore and other minerals loaded. In addition to that, a preliminary examination found an asbestos dump.
We are going to do an environmental impact assessment before we start doing anything there to identify any possible problems, because, at the same time, you have to do something before you start digging to provide the basic services. If a future developer comes, he has to provide an environmental assessment with regards to his or her own development ...
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, obviously they are not interested in hearing what is really going to happen. The only thing they are interested to hear is their own voices. My colleague, the member for Wanguri, is quite right. He said they are shedding crocodile tears at the moment. Do I have to remind them that it was their government that rezoned the wharf precinct to Central Business District, and that, in their own documentation in 1999, they indicated a major exhibition and convention centre at the wharf. Why didn’t they care then about putting a convention centre near the mall, in the old Woolworths site? Now they want it there.
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was specifically about an EIS of a development project; nothing about Woolworths and the CBD.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The minister will answer the question in his own way. Minister, get on with it. You know I have no control over that. Have you finished?
Mr VATSKALIS: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016