Fire Management Plans

I have a supplementary question. Does the minister or the EPA have any indication of which councils are likely to favour the permit system versus the notification system? Once they have made that decision, is that information going to be made publicly available on the EPA website?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) ( 14:28 ): I thank the honourable member for her supplementary question. I do not know which councils will be making that decision. I suppose they have not made that decision yet. We can supply the honourable member, if she wishes, with a list of councils that have opted in already to the permit system. I believe that is well established. However, it will be up to individual councils, once the draft policy is in place, to determine what is best for their local community and whether they want to continue with the existing system of permits or whether they want to move to a deregulated system of using notices instead. I will undertake to find out for the honourable member which councils are currently permitting and we will need to wait for the draft proposal to be adopted and then see which councils decide to go for a deregulated approach.

Tuesday 20 September 2016

In reply to the Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK ( 6 July 2016 ).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) : As Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, I have been provided with the following advice:

Councils that currently operate a permit system in rural areas of the Mount Lofty Ranges include City of Onkaparinga, City of Mitcham, City of Burnside, City of Tea Tree Gully, City of Campbelltown, and City of Playford. The EPA is aware that Adelaide Hills Council and the City of Onkaparinga are considering community consultation to determine whether the use of notices is suitable for their rural areas in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Burning in the open is managed by councils and it will be up to individual councils to determine what is best for their local community. Councils will not be required to advise the EPA of their preferred method. Requiring councils to report to the EPA each time they amend their desired process would add unnecessary red tape. Individuals should access their council’s website or call their council’s offices for relevant information.