[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Greens move to stop Aquaculture regulations that privatse the sea

[Greens]

7th August 2006

Greens MLC Mark Parnell has moved in Parliament to disallow new
Regulations aimed at abolishing public comment and appeal rights over
aquaculture development for Eyre Peninsula residents.

Touring communities disenfranchised by the Regulations, including
Elliston and Port Neill, Mark Parnell said these Regulations represent a
'privatisation of the commons'.

"The sea is not private land and all development in the sea, including
aquaculture, should be subject to public scrutiny," said Mr Parnell.

Under the new Regulations*, any aquaculture developments in specified
areas declared by the Government, are not subject to public comment,
public representations or public appeal rights. They are untouchable.
"Once aquaculture leases have been granted in these areas, other uses
such as boating or fishing are excluded", he said.

These Regulations were sneakily rushed through Parliament just before it
went into care-taker mode in the run up to the March 2006 election. The
timing meant that the Regulations could not be debated or disallowed
until Parliament resumed in April.   As soon as Mark Parnell got into
Parliament he moved to disallow the Regulations.

"This is bad law and sets an appalling precedent", said Mr Parnell.
"The sea is not private land and those most closely affected, including
the residents of the Eyre Peninsula, should be able to have a say about
developments planned in their backyard", he said.


* The two Regulations (January 12 and February 16, 2006) are:
Development (Miscellaneous) Variation Regulations 2006 [No.1 of 2006],
and
Development (Aquaculture Development No 2) Variation Regulations 2006 No
38 of 2006


For further comment contact Mark Parnell on 0439 215 937

(Mark will be touring Port Neill, Elliston and Streaky Bay on 7th and
8th August before attending the Cleve Field Days on Wednesday 9th
August)




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