Department of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Territory Government

ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS

ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS

21 November 2011

299. Bushfires Council Brigades

Ms PURICK to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES

1. How many firefighting volunteers were sent to the recent bush and wildfires in Central Australia? How many were from Bushfires Council brigades and which ones?

2. What was the total cost to accommodate these volunteers in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek hotel/motels?

3. What was the total cost of travel allowance (TA) paid to all of the volunteers?

4. What other groups were involved in providing volunteers to help fight the fires, how many people and from what group?

5. How much equipment from Bushfires Council brigades was moved from their base unit to fight the fires and at what cost?

6. What helicopter surveillance work was undertaken during the period of fighting the fires and at what cost?

7. Was a debriefing session held after the fires for volunteers; if so, provide details? If not, why not?

ANSWER

1. (a) One hundred and ninety-eight.
    (b) Thirty-seven. They were from Alice Springs Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, Tennant Creek Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, Bushfires NT Volunteer Training Brigade, Cox Peninsula and Elizabeth Valley Volunteer Bushfire Brigades.
    2. $82 430. This figure includes accommodation costs for SA Country Fire Service volunteers and paid staff.
      3. TA is not paid to volunteers.
        4. NT Fire and Rescue Service; SA Country Fire Service; Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport; Department of the Chief Minister; Department of Justice; Department of Children and Families; Department of Lands and Planning; Power and Water Corporation, Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services; Department of Business and Employment; Arid Zone Research Institute; Inkerreke rangers; Central Land Council rangers; Alice Springs NT Emergency Services volunteer members.

        5. Three grass fire units deployed from Batchelor. Cost: $3000. Two banks of hand-held radios and VHF radio sets still in Alice.

        6. Helicopters used at Ambalindum Station, Alparra, Cattle Water Pass and Claravale. Total cost of helicopters was $192 711 which includes water bombing at more than 20 additional locations.

        7. Debriefings always occur after major events. Several operational debriefs have occurred so far, including two by BFNT (Orange Creek incident of September 2011 and Alice Springs incident).


        27 March 2012

        317. Barramundi Management Advisory Group

        Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES

        1. When was the Barramundi Management Advisory Group established?

        2. Who are the members on the group?

        3. What are the terms of reference for the group?

        4. How many times did the group meet in 2011?

        5. Has the group produced any reports? If so, how many, what are they about, and are they available for public distribution?

        6. Has the minister directed the group to investigate any matters and, if so, what?

        ANSWER

        1. Members were appointed to the current Barramundi Fishery Management Advisory Committee (BFMAC) on 1 September 2010.

        2. The members of BFMAC are:

        Mr Gilbert Hanson (Indigenous representative);
          Mr Peter Manning (commercial fishing representative);
            Mr Mike Fraser (commercial fishing representative);
              Mr Chris Makepeace (recreational fishing representative);
                Mr Graeme Williams (charter fishing representative);
                  Department of Resources’ Director of Aquatic Resources; and
                    Officer-in-Charge, Water Police.
                      Ms Katherine Sarneckis, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Territory (NT) Seafood Council, is a permanent observer. Mr Richard Stevens is an independent Chair.

                    3. The role of BFMAC is to:

                    consider and provide advice on matters referred by the Executive Director (ED) of Fisheries; and

                    provide the ED of Fisheries with information and advice to enable timely decisions to be made to conserve, enhance, protect, utilise and manage the fish and aquatic life resources of the Territory in accordance with the objectives of the NT Fisheries Act.

                    4. BFMAC met in December 2010 and met two times in 2011 - March and June. Out of session work on some matters was also conducted.

                    5. BFMAC has developed a draft document titled, Framework for Resource Allocation in the NT Barramundi Fishery. This was endorsed at its last meeting and recommended to the ED of Fisheries and the minister for consideration. The framework is intended to provide guidance and a transparent decision-making process for delivering advice on future resource sharing arrangements in the barramundi fishery.

                    6. In appointing members to BFMAC, the minister communicated a request for advice on the strategic direction and management objectives for the fishery, including potential future closures to commercial barramundi fishing. Members were unable to reach agreement on future commercial fishing closures.


                    318. Recreational Fishing Survey

                    Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES

                    1. When was the tender awarded for the work, recreational fishing survey?

                    2. Who was the tender awarded to?

                    3. What is the prime place of residence of the successful consultant?

                    4. What was the cost of the tender work?

                    5. What other costs have been incurred in the undertaking of the survey work; that is, accommodation, airfare travel and sundries?

                    6. What was the time frame to complete the survey work?

                    7. What were the terms of reference for the tender work?

                    8. Who was/is overseeing the tender work?

                    9. Has a final report been delivered to government and, if not, why not?

                    ANSWER

                    1. The tender was lodged on 5 November 2008 and a notice of acceptance was issued on 1 December 2008.

                    2. The tender was awarded to Kewagama Research.
                      Kewagama Research is the only consultant to have experience with two previous recreational fishing surveys of the NT in 1995 and 2000. Kewagama Research was identified as the preferred tender for this project over Northern Territory (NT) and interstate potential suppliers due to its comprehensive knowledge of recreational fishing survey methodologies, and the cost savings that could be achieved by using the same consultant that conducted the two previous such surveys in the Territory.
                      Additionally, Kewagama Research has primary intellectual property rights over the telephone/diary survey methodology and is widely recognised throughout Australia as the expert in this field which was pilot-tested and first employed in the NT in 1995.
                      The success of that project led to the refinement and use of the methodology in licence database studies in Tasmania and South Australia and, ultimately, in the first comprehensive assessment of recreational fishing in Australia that was conducted in 2000.
                      For the last 20 years, Kewagama Research has specialised in recreational fisheries research for government agencies in Australia and was assessed to be best qualified to conduct this consultancy.

                    3. Kewagama Research is based in Queensland; however, all on-site staff employed during the survey were NT residents.

                    4. The final contract was for a total of $439 803.

                    5. No other costs have been incurred by the consultant in the undertaking of the survey work. However, there were other expected costs associated with the training and employment of on-site staff to conduct fisher interviews at designated boat ramps and accommodation venues across the Territory.

                    6. The survey was to be conducted over a 12-month period from April 2009 to April 2010. A final report was to be available by late 2010; however, alterations to the scope of the project to address changes in visitor fishing activity and a need to increase sample size for the survey have delayed the completion of the final report.

                    7. See Attachment A for Request for Tender.

                    8. A steering committee was formed to guide development of the survey. The committee included the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT, the NT Guided Fishing Industry Association, the NT Seafood Council, the Water Police Section and the Executive Director of Fisheries as Chairman.
                      The Manager, Aquatic Resource Management Group with DoR was the project manager for the contract.

                    9. The consultant has provided a penultimate draft of the survey report. It is understood the final report from the survey will be provided to government in April 2012.

                      The report has been delayed due to the expansion of scope of the project and complications in the different methodologies required for analysing data for resident and visitor activity.


                    319. Limmen Bight Marine Park

                    Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES

                    1. What commercial fishing operations currently operate in the area proposed as the Limmen Bight Marine Park in the sea waters, along the coastline and in the mouth of the included rivers?

                    2. List the type of commercial seafood operations by species caught and their location.

                    3. What is the value of these commercial seafood operations to the Northern Territory seafood industry and economy?

                    4. What consultation was undertaken with these operators in regard to the proposed marine park?

                    5. If no consultation was undertaken, why not?

                    6. How were the boundaries of the proposed marine park decided upon?

                    7. What scientific research has been undertaken to support the proposed marine park, through what institution and which researchers?

                    8. What legislation is required to establish the marine park and what is the planned consultation in regard to any required legislative framework?

                    ANSWER

                    1. The waters in or near the proposed marine park are known to currently support a number of operations in the Mud Crab and Barramundi Fisheries. The Spanish Mackerel, Offshore Net and Line, Bait Net, Aquarium, Trepang and Coastal Line Fisheries could also operate in the area of the proposed marine park.

                    2. Mud crabs are the primary species harvested in the Mud Crab Fishery. The main areas of harvest within or near the waters of the proposed marine park (as recorded against fishery logbook returns) are the Roper River, Port Roper and Limmen Bight River.
                      The Barramundi Fishery primarily targets barramundi and king threadfin. The main areas of harvest within or near the waters of the proposed marine park (as recorded against fishery logbook returns) are Beatrice Island, Limmen Bight River, Limmen Bight, Port Roper, Roper River, Spillen Creek and Towns River.

                    3. In 2010, the total commercial mud crab catch was valued at $7.89m. Over the last three years, an average of 25% - that is, valued at approximately $1.97m - of the catch has come from waters within or near the proposed area of the marine park.
                      At the point of first sale in 2010, the overall catch value of the commercial Barramundi Fishery was $5.05m. Over the last three years, an average of 8% - that is, valued at approximately $404 000 - of the catch has come from waters within or near the proposed area of the marine park.

                    4. Key stakeholders, including the Northern Territory (NT) Seafood Council and Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT, were provided advance notice of the announcement of the proposed boundaries. The management plan for the proposed marine park will be developed via a detailed consultative process that will include all fishing and other stakeholders. This government is committed to ensure any such consultation is taken into consideration of the future management arrangements of the proposed park.

                    5. The NT government is currently only proposing boundaries to a multiple-use marine park. Full consultation with all stakeholders will be undertaken as part of the marine planning process.

                    6. The marine park boundaries largely align with the coastal boundaries of the proposed Limmen National Park and with the adjacent Marra Aboriginal Land Trust land and extend to the limit of Territorial waters at approximately three nautical miles.

                    7. A summary of the biodiversity values of the proposed marine park, including references, are available in a technical report on the website. These values include turtle, dugong and dolphin habitats and significant seagrass beds. The researchers involved include scientists from the Department of Natural Resources, the Environment and the Arts, as well as experts on dugongs and seagrass from James Cook University and Queensland Fisheries.

                    8. Marine parks are established under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act and the current public consultation period is part of these legislative requirements. In the event that any changes to fisheries management were determined following the consultation process these would need to be made in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries Act.
                      All stakeholders will be fully consulted as part of the management planning process and as legislatively required under both acts.


                    320. Limmen Park Exploration Licences

                    Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES

                    1. What granted mineral exploration licences are located within the proposed Limmen Park, by licence number and company name?

                    2. What mineral exploration licence applications are located in the proposed Limmen Park, by application number and company name?

                    3. What petroleum permits are located in the proposed Limmen Park, by number and company name?

                    4. What petroleum permit applications are within the proposed Limmen Park, by application number and company name?

                    5. What other mineral titles under Northern Territory legislation are located within the proposed Limmen Park, by mineral title name and company name?

                    ANSWER

                    See Attachment A.



                    ANSWER TO WRITTEN QUESTION NO 318




                    ATTACHMENT A – RECREATIONAL FISHING SURVEY

                    REQUEST FOR TENDER DOCUMENT












                    ANSWER TO WRITTEN QUESTION NO 320







                    ATTACHMENT A




                    CURRENT EXPLORATION, MINING, PETROLEUM AND GEOTHERMAL TENURE
                    OVER LIMMEN NATIONAL PARK (AMENDED AREA) AS AT 15 MARCH 2012
                    QUESTION 320
                    ATTACHMENT A
                    Page 1 of 3

                    Current Exploration, Mining, Petroleum and Geothermal Tenure over Limmen National Park (Amended Area) as at 15 March 2012:

                    Titles Over Limmen National Park - Amended Area. A1: Granted Exploration Licences by Number and Name:

                    Title Type
                    Title Number
                    Holder
                      EL
                      24307
                    WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    EL24665WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    EL24944WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    EL25591Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26404Legend International Holdings, Inc.
                    EL26412Sherwin Iron Limited*
                    EL26555Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26587Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26759WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    EL26831Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26833Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26835Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26836Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26837Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26908Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26909Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26938Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26939Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26953Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL26992WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    EL27143WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    EL27483Universal Splendour Investments Pty Ltd
                    EL27915Mackie Alistair Wansbone
                    EL28072Artesianpure Pty Limited
                    EL28073Artesianpure Pty Limited
                    EL28206Legend International Holdings, Inc.
                    EL28447Territory Exploration Pty Ltd
                    EL28497Sherwin Iron Limited*
                    EL28534Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL28540Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL28541Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL28574Legend International Holdings, Inc.
                    EL28585Territory Exploration Pty Ltd

                    QUESTION 320
                    ATTACHMENT A
                    Page 2 of 3

                    Current Exploration, Mining, Petroleum and Geothermal Tenure over Limmen National Park (Amended Area) as at 15 March 2012:

                    Titles Over Limmen National Park - Amended Area. A1: Granted Exploration Licences by number and name:

                    Title TypeTitle NumberHolder
                    EL28586Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28587Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28588Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28605Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28606Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28607Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28608Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28609Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28656Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL28657Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL28658Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL28659Sandfire Resources NL
                    EL28847Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28848Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *
                    EL28898Australian Manganese Resources Pty Ltd *

                    A2: Applications Exploration Licence by number and name:

                    Title Type
                    Title Number
                    Holder
                      EL
                      28773
                    DUNCAN Christopher John, NOLA Carmen Mary and OBRIEN Arthur James
                      EL
                      29287
                    China Australia Land Resources Pty Ltd

                    A3: Granted Petroleum by number and name:

                    Title Type
                    Title Number
                    Holder
                      EP
                        171
                    Armour Energy Pty Ltd
                    EP176Armour Energy Pty Ltd

                    A4: Applications Petroleum by number and name:

                    Title Type
                    Title Number
                    Holder
                      EP
                        161
                    Tamboran Resources Pty Ltd
                    EP184Imperial Oil and Gas Pty Limited




                    QUESTION 320
                    ATTACHMENT A
                    Page 3 of 3

                    Current Exploration, Mining, Petroleum and Geothermal Tenure over Limmen National Park (Amended Area) as at 15 March 2012:

                    Titles Over Limmen National Park - Amended Area. A5: Other Mineral Titles by number and name.

                    Mining Tenement Granted:

                    Title Type
                    Title Number
                    Holder
                      MLN
                        624
                    Sandfire Resources NL

                    Geothermal Granted:

                    Title Type
                    Title Number
                    Holder
                      GEP
                      27829
                    Western Desert Resources Ltd

                    Mineral Authority (Maria Island):

                    Title Type
                    Title Number
                    Holder
                      MA
                      27738
                    Process Minerals International Pty Ltd

                    Titles Partly Within Limmen National Park:

                    Title Type
                    Title Number
                    Holder
                    EL (Granted)
                      25672
                    WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    EL (Granted) 25688Tianda Resources (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
                    ML (Application)28264WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    ML (Application)28266WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    ML (Application)28267WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    ML (Application)28962WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    ML (Application)28963WDR Iron Ore Pty Ltd
                    Last updated: 04 Aug 2016