Page: 12764
Mr JOHN TURNER (Myall Lakes) [4.32 p.m.]: The Manning River is one of only three rivers in the world that have two openings. The southern opening routinely shoals up and closes the river mouth to the sea. That has consequences for the environment and on the important oyster and fishing industries as well as affecting tourism. A number of different attempts have been made over a long period to resolve the problem. At this time the river is open because the council mechanically opened it recently when floodwater came down the river. That floodwater could have caused significant damage to surrounding areas had the river not been mechanically opened. The remaining problem is that the river continually shoals up and a permanent solution is needed.
A few months ago I placed on notice questions to six different Ministers to ascertain who was responsible for maintaining the opening of the river. All six said, inter alia, that it was primarily the council's responsibility. The council has now accepted that, but has said it does not have the funds to provide a long-term solution and is, therefore, seeking funds from the Government. I went to the Minister for Transport Services in his capacity as the Minister responsible for waterways, believing him to be the appropriate person. I was then told he was not the Minister responsible for administering funding to keep the river open; it was the Minister for Lands. An officer from Minister Costa's office arranged to send my representations to the Minister for Lands so he could look at the matter. I have received an acknowledgement from the Minister for Lands.
I then received another letter from another person in Minister Costa's office to say that it was not the Department of Lands that was responsible but the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources [DIPNR], and that that person had sent my representations to DIPNR. One officer in Minister Costa's office kindly sent my representations to the Minister for Lands and the other sent them to Minister Knowles. On 17 August I received an acknowledgement from the Department of Lands, saying:
Minister Kelly asked me to inform you that the matter you have raised is being investigated and that a reply will be forwarded to you at the conclusion of that investigation.
A letter dated 7 October from the office of the Director-General of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources states that Minister Kelly had forwarded my letter to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources for consideration. I arranged a deputation to Minister Kelly, as we were referred to him down the line by one side of Minister Costa's office. Two days ago we were informed that Minister Kelly is not the Minister involved and that Minister Knowles is the appropriate Minister, as the issues come under the flood plain management program and the local government grants program, both of which are administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources.
For years we have received the run-around on this issue. The council does not have the financial capacity to provide a long-term solution to the problem, but a long-term solution must be found. That will need the financial support of the Government. We have been all over the shop on this issue. We have been to Waterways, to DIPNR and to the Department of Lands, and I have asked questions of other Ministers. However, we still seem to be going around in circles. We must try to resolve this matter so the river can remain open, the environment can remain sustainable and, more important, public safety is not jeopardised. When the river floods, as it did a couple of weeks ago—and, fortunately, that flooding was not major—there is the possibility of water backing up and causing major inundation at the mouth of the river and further back along the river. That is dangerous to the people living near the river and in the city of Taree. I intend to pursue the matter with DIPNR in the hope that it can be resolved. I look forward to a favourable reply.