Mr ARMSTRONG (Lachlan) [5.24 p.m.]: The matter I raise relates to an application by Mr B. D. Heilman, of 53 Kendal Street, Cowra, to the Department of Land and Water Conservation on 20 April this year in an attempt to acquire an irrigation licence - or what may more properly be described as a licence to sink a ground water bore - to irrigate certain lands in the Cowra district that he and others recently purchased for the explicit purpose of establishing horticulture, in particular the planting of olive trees.

The saga commences on 20 May when Mr Heilman rang regional manager, Martin, who was not available and left a message for him to ring back. On 25 May Mr Heilman rang Martin, who again was not available and he asked to speak to Mr Gordon Lennox, who was also not available. He left a message for one of them to ring him back. On 27 May Mr Heilman rang and spoke to Mr Lennox, who said there was a backlog of applications because they had not had a hydrologist for a while. They were trying to catch up, but it could take some time. On 24 June Mr Heilman spoke to Mr Lennox, and the matter was no further advanced. He emphasised to him the importance of the matter because he had to plant olives in September-October.

On 20 July Mr Heilman rang Martin, the regional manager, and Mr Lennox, but neither were available so he left a message for one of them to ring him back. On 3 August Mr Heilman spoke to Martin, who said he was not familiar with his application. Mr Heilman told him he was very anxious to get a result of some description because he has purchased a property and the olives. He said he had organised to have the ground ripped, made an application for fertiliser, arranged for an irrigation system, et cetera, and that he was due to plant at the end of September or in early October. Martin said he would look into it and ring Mr Heilman back the next week.

On 12 August Mr Heilman rang and was told that Martin was at a training course. He left a message to ring him as soon as possible on his return. On 19 August Mr Heilman rang. Martin was not in but he left a message for him to ring him back. On 24 August Mr Heilman rang. Martin was not available and he left another message. Martin returned his call and said that no licences were being issued in the foreseeable future and that a moratorium was put in place the previous Friday, 20 August. Mr Heilman told him that his application had been submitted in April, and Martin said that did not matter. On 19 August Mr Heilman rang Martin O’Rourke, a hydrologist, who did not return the call. On 24 August Mr Heilman rang Mr O’Rourke, who returned his call in the afternoon. Mr O’Rourke informed Mr Heilman of the moratorium of 20 August.

In 1997 the Government brought down a policy for ground water management in the upper Lachlan Valley. That program for the five-year period from 1997 to 2002 clearly stated that prior to the 2002 sunset there would be full public consultation regarding future policy for the management of ground water in the upper Lachlan. There was no public consultation whatsoever before the moratorium was imposed on 20 August. Mr Heilman is one of a number of people who have been caught and, in some cases, severely disadvantaged financially. They may have purchased land, borrowed money to put in new technology, or contracted for the supply of certain products into the future.

Most importantly, the moratorium has lessened investor confidence. The area involved covers the fastest growing area of chardonnay grapes in Australia today. It extends from Jemalong, which is south of Forbes, to Wyangala Dam, east to Cudal, and west to Young. Young is the world’s largest prune growing area. A $28 million winery, one of the biggest in Australia, is being constructed at Cudal. That potentially significant area has been virtually mugged by the Government without notice.

I am pleased that the Minister for Agriculture, and Minister for Land and Water Conservation is in the Chamber because I mentioned this matter to him privately a couple of weeks ago and I look forward to his response. I believe the Government has acted in a cavalier way. It owes compensation to those affected. At the very least, it owes them an explanation, first, as to why its officers were not prepared to respond to licensed applicants and, second, as to why those people were not at least extended the courtesy of being advised that there was to be a change of policy. One of my constituents, an investor in New South Wales, applied on 20 April and was stalled until 20 August, when he was told no applications would be accepted. Why could the officers not have told him that in April, so that he could have been saved
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further expenditure and legal expenses and made other arrangements for planting other crops in the spring?

Mr AMERY (Mount Druitt - Minister for Agriculture, and Minister for Land and Water Conservation) [5.28 p.m.]: The honourable member informed me that he intended to raise this matter today. He said that his constituent had made numerous calls to the department, which he listed in Hansard. I take those comments very seriously as I believe that the public service, and my department particularly, should provide the best possible service to clients. I will investigate the matter and provide him with a response. If his information is confirmed I will certainly make sure that Mr Heilman is contacted. I understand that the embargo has caused some concern. Honourable members will realise that the department is currently undertaking a hydrological assessment of the sustainable yield in the management areas.

Our aquifers have been stressed and our water allocation in need of review. I acknowledge that perhaps there was a limited amount of consultation before the embargo was put in place. The honourable member should appreciate that there has to be an embargo while the extent of the allocations already made are assessed. Hopefully, when the management plan has been completed a better-informed decision may be made about which licences will be approved. I take the concerns of the honourable member for Lachlan very seriously. I am very concerned about the below-standard level of service, and I will certainly investigate the matter. I will ensure that the department contacts Mr Heilman in the next couple of days.