Maritime Heritage

I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment and Conservation a question about heritage.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: In relation to the Newport Quays development, the occupants of the Searle's boatyard have been given until 30 June to vacate the site, and the National Trust has identified concerns regarding a number of sites which have no formal heritage listing, namely, the boatyard.

The Hon. P. Holloway interjecting:

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: They have a lot of historical value. The Radio Shack and the Nelcebee, which until recently was Australia's oldest seagoing ship, the Falie, and two electric cranes.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: That's a beautiful development.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Stephens and the Hon. Mr Holloway will come to order.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: It was reported by Stateline several years ago that minister Lomax-Smith was outraged that both the tourism commission and DEH were not consulted regarding the development and that the heritage listed site of Harts Mill will not be incorporated harmoniously in a way that appreciates its true heritage value. My questions to the minister are:

1. What representations has she or her department made in regard to this development to ensure that South Australia's early maritime heritage will not be lost forever?

2. Is she confident that the development does comply with the Public Works Committee's recommendation that the development be done harmoniously with heritage values?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:27): I thank the honourable member for her questions.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister does not require any help from those behind her.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: As we are well aware, a development proposal is underway. There is a range of mechanisms within that proposal to deal with a significant number of elements of the development. In relation to the heritage of the boat sheds, I understand that the National Trust has nominated the sheds to be considered for state heritage listing. I understand that matter is currently before the heritage council for consideration or is about to go before it. We have expert bodies and processes in place that make assessments about the value of these items, so that is how the matter should be considered, and that process is underway.

The heritage council no doubt will decide whether it is worth taking up and assessing and, if so, it will pursue the relevant and appropriate heritage assessments. In terms of the relevant steps being undertaken around this development, the answer is that, yes, all relevant processes will be included. As with any development there is a range of different issues and standards that have to be considered—for instance, environmental and heritage values—and there is also a range of different mechanisms available during the development process to enable these various issues to be considered in the appropriate way.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:29): Sir, I have a supplementary question. Will the minister advise whether a stop order will be put on the demolition until the application has been considered?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:30): I am not aware exactly where the application for heritage listing is at. I am not aware whether the heritage council has even considered the application or whether it considers the boatsheds worthy of even the first stage, which is a heritage assessment. The issue is in the hands of the appropriate body, which will consider the matter according to its protocols, and it is being dealt with in an appropriate way.