❓ Question regarding the lease of a recreational hut in D’Entrecasteaux National Park, including details of previous leases, tender process, lease fee basis, and value for money. The answer clarifies the historical context and rationale for the lease arrangement.
AnsweredQoN 4298Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Lease No 2416/100 tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 16 October 2018, and I ask: (a) who was the previous lessee; (b) what was the length of the previous lease; (c) was this lease subject to an open tender process; (d) if yes to (c) how many bids were received; (e) if no to (c), why not; (f) what was the basis for the lease fee; and (g) does this represent value for money for the taxpayer?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 February 2019
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Environment; Disability Services
Response time
12 days
(a) There has been no previous lease for this recreational hut.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) No.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) The Shannon and D’Entrecasteaux National Parks Management Plan No. 71 2012 notes that huts were built in D’Entrecasteaux National Park for pastoral purposes and recreational fishing and that they continued to be built until the early 1980s before the park was created. The plan indicates that the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will work with the Lower Donnelly River Conservation Association and other hut occupiers to retain huts for use by the public and members of the association/s. This is on the condition that the huts meet environmental, safety, health and building standards within three years of the plan being approved, and further, that huts that pose safety, health or environment risk will be removed in consultation with hut occupiers. The hut occupiers that have met the requirements have been granted a lease for their hut. On this basis an open tender process was not applied by the previous Liberal-National Government.
(f) The lease rent was determined based on the rent schedule for leases on Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 land. The schedule defines an appropriate rent for lease types based on a range of parameters including lease purpose, whether it is of a commercial or non-commercial nature and the size of the lease area.
(g) This lease was approved by the previous Environment Minister and in the context of the answer to (e) represented value for money for the taxpayer. The revenue generated from the lease contributes directly to park management, while recognising and allowing for historical use.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) No.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) The Shannon and D’Entrecasteaux National Parks Management Plan No. 71 2012 notes that huts were built in D’Entrecasteaux National Park for pastoral purposes and recreational fishing and that they continued to be built until the early 1980s before the park was created. The plan indicates that the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions will work with the Lower Donnelly River Conservation Association and other hut occupiers to retain huts for use by the public and members of the association/s. This is on the condition that the huts meet environmental, safety, health and building standards within three years of the plan being approved, and further, that huts that pose safety, health or environment risk will be removed in consultation with hut occupiers. The hut occupiers that have met the requirements have been granted a lease for their hut. On this basis an open tender process was not applied by the previous Liberal-National Government.
(f) The lease rent was determined based on the rent schedule for leases on Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 land. The schedule defines an appropriate rent for lease types based on a range of parameters including lease purpose, whether it is of a commercial or non-commercial nature and the size of the lease area.
(g) This lease was approved by the previous Environment Minister and in the context of the answer to (e) represented value for money for the taxpayer. The revenue generated from the lease contributes directly to park management, while recognising and allowing for historical use.
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