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Ms SYLVIA HALE: I direct my question to the Minister for Local Government, and Minister for Lands. Why do hundreds of mobile phone towers that are located on public land throughout New South Wales pay no rent to either local councils or the State Government? What is the nature of, and justification for, lease agreements that allow no rent to be paid when similar towers on private land collect between $15,000 and $30,000 in rent, per tower, per annum? In view of the chronic shortage of funds that is experienced by local councils and the extra costs shifted onto them by this Government, why has the introduction of appropriately leases been delayed?
The Hon. TONY KELLY: The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal [IPART] has been asked to assist in developing consistent government policy covering tenure and rental matters for all users of government agency communication sites. The tribunal has been asked to report on the existing rental arrangements for communication tower sites—a matter that is addressed in the honourable member's question—and a framework that allows the New South Wales Government to obtain a fair market-based commercial return which reflects the benefits realised by all users of the sites. Last month the tribunal released an issues paper and welcomes submissions from interested parties. The issues paper and terms of reference may be downloaded from IPART's web site at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au. Submissions are due by Friday 5 November 2004. Ms Sylvia Hale might care to lodge a submission.