QUESTIONS ON NOTICE › Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Question No. 2163)
Senator Waters asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 13 September 2012 (1) What process arrived at the $80 400 payment to be made by the companies due to the clearing of 67 000 square meters of ringtail possum and Carnaby's cockatoo habitat. (2) Was the total expected revenue and/or profit from the sale of the land taken into account when determining the $80 400 payment; if so, how was this total determined. (3) Is like-for-like habitat available and in need of protection within the relevant region; if so, how much of this land could be secured for $80 400. (4) Is land available that is suitable for rehabilitation and/or revegetation within the relevant region; if so, how much of this land could be secured for $80 400. (5) Can estimates be provided by the department of the: (a) average time usually taken for proposed activities involving the clearing of habitat that is expected to have a significant impact on nationally listed species; and (b) average cost to proponents of the environmental impact assessment process in situations such as this. (6) Where the clearing of habitat is approved subject to the proponent securing appropriate offsets: (a) what is the standard process undertaken by the department in order to determine an appropriate offset; and (b) approximately, what would be deemed an appropriate offset for the clearing of 67 000 square metres, where that land is considered to be 'strategic' in that it provides both foraging habitat and critical linkages across the landscape for two nationally listed species. (7) Can examples be provided of recent offset conditions that have been set by the Minister or department, including information on the quality of habitat lost, the offset ratio and quality of offset to be secured, including where possible the estimated costs to the proponent of securing these offsets.