Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...

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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
*7396 PENALTY NOTICES—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Minister for Roads—
(1) How many penalty notices were issued to motorists for travelling in the North-West T-Way between
January 1 2008 and September 1 2009?
(2) How many of these penalty notices have been appealed in the courts?
(3) How many of these appeals resulted in the fine being waived?
(4) How many of these appeals resulted in both fine and demerit points being waived?
Answer—
I am advised:
These questions should be directed to the Treasurer who has responsibility for the State Debt Recovery
Office.
*7397 ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for
Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce—
(1) Why have only one of the 10 environmental grants in the Auditor General's August 2009 report been
independently evaluated since 2005?
(2) When will independent auditors be appointed for the other nine grants?
(3) Why did Government-held marginal seats receive 36 per cent more environmental grants than the
State average from 2002-2007?
Answer—
(1) For the period between 2002-03 and 2006-07 reviewed by the Auditor General, only one program's
evaluation fell within the period and had been completed. In 2008, the Environmental Trust approved
a new evaluation framework for all its programs, consistent with the NSW Government's Guide to
Grants Administration. The three other grant programs audited by the Auditor General are currently
being reviewed.
(2) Independent reviewers will be appointed in line with the Environmental Trust's and other grants
programs evaluation schedules. Three programs have evaluations underway.
(3) Decisions to approve or decline grant applications are based only on program-specific selection
criteria. All applications to all the audited programs are independently assessed.
*7398 MISUSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST FUNDS—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier,
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce—
(1) Why did the Environmental Trust not pursue the Aboriginal holding company that used $5000 of a
land restoration grant on a camera and computer, as reported by the Auditor-General in August
2009?
(2) Will the Trust begin action to recover the misused funds?
(3) If so, when?
Answer—
(1) The Trust did not pursue this issue with the Aboriginal holding company. Even though the variation
to the project was made without prior permission, the monies used for purchasing the computer and
camera were seen to support the Community Development Employment Program participants in
their training and work on the project, and contributed further to the capacity building of the
Bandjalang Aboriginal community as a whole. It was determined that pursuing the return of the
funds would have resulted in overall negative outcomes for the local Aboriginal community.
(2) No.
(3) N⁄A
*7399 SMIGGIN HOLES WATER SUPPLY—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for
Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce—
(1) How many people in Smiggin Holes village reported gastric complaints in August?
(2) (a) Was the water supply proven to be the source of the complaints?
(b) If so, what had contaminated the water?
(3) Which department is responsible for ensuring safe water supply in Smiggin Holes?
Answer—
(1) Approximately 300 people.
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