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Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Page: 460

Manning Rivermouth

(Question No. 701)

Mr Oakeshott asked the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 31 October 2011:

(1) Is he aware of the immediate concerns about the state of the Manning rivermouth, and of siltation to the point of very unsafe access, or no access at all.

(2) Is he aware of the long term campaign for a second breakwall at the Manning rivermouth entrance; if so, can he confirm whether he has received a request from either the NSW Government or Greater Taree City Council for funding to address this issue.

(3) Will he agree to publicly release all recorded contacts, discussions and decisions made between Members of Parliament in the electoral division of Lyne and the relevant Ministers over the past 30 years in relation to the Manning rivermouth and the second breakwall.

Mr Burke: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) I have not been made aware of any concerns about access to the Manning rivermouth.

(2) I am not aware of any long term campaign for a second breakwall at either the northern or southern rivermouth entrances and have not received a request from the NSW Government or Greater Taree Council for funding to address this issue. I also understand there have not been any proposals referred for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

(3) No. The process of identifying any contacts, discussions or decisions made by Members of Parliament over the last 30 years would involve a substantial and unreasonable diversion of public service resources, given the extent of documents which would need to be searched and the considerable number of third parties requiring consultation and consent.