Thursday, 22 June 2023

Responses

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (17:59): There were 15 adjournment matters to 14 separate ministers, and I will ensure that written responses are provided in accordance with the standing orders.

In relation to Mrs Broad’s important matter about flood-affected caravan park operators, obviously there have been significant impacts on the Victorian public land estate as a result of the floods occurring in October 2022 and, subsequent to that, some other significant flooding events in parts of the state. More than 120,000 hectares of Parks Victoria public land estates have been impacted: more than 100,000 hectares of state forest and more than 167 Crown land reserves managed by committees of management containing important infrastructure for communities. There has been a power of work going on through my department and through Parks Victoria to deploy specialist assessment teams to identify and seek more details on what remediation is required. I can indicate in terms of recovery that so far a large amount of Parks Victoria managed land has been reopened and there are works to mitigate critical and immediate risks to aquatic threatened species.

Volunteer committees of management have been significantly impacted, and there is support available for them. Public roads have been repaired and reopened, 143 visitor sites have been made safe and reopened and 39 agreements have been completed for the wildlife flood response grants. Of course we have had to ensure that we are working closely, with regard to Aboriginal heritage sites, with our traditional owner groups to make sure that they have flood recovery plans in place.

What I will undertake to do in respect to the specific question around those leases for caravan park operators is I will take that aspect of Mrs Broad’s adjournment on notice and see what information I can get back to you via my department.

The PRESIDENT: Everyone stay well. The house is adjourned.

House adjourned 6:02 pm.

Following material incorporated by David Davis (see page 2104):