Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
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7066<br />
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS<br />
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009<br />
(1) <strong>No</strong>.<br />
(2) <strong>No</strong>t applicable.<br />
*7396 PENALTY NOTICES—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Minister for Roads—<br />
(1) How many penalty notices were issued to motorists for travelling in the <strong>No</strong>rth-West T-Way between<br />
January 1 2008 and September 1 2009?<br />
(2) How many <strong>of</strong> these penalty notices have been appealed in the courts?<br />
(3) How many <strong>of</strong> these appeals resulted in the fine being waived?<br />
(4) How many <strong>of</strong> these appeals resulted in both fine and demerit points being waived?<br />
Answer—<br />
I am advised:<br />
These questions should be directed to the Treasurer who has responsibility for the State Debt Recovery<br />
Office.<br />
*7397 ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for<br />
Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce—<br />
(1) Why have only one <strong>of</strong> the 10 environmental grants in the Auditor General's August 2009 report been<br />
independently evaluated since 2005?<br />
(2) When will independent auditors be appointed for the other nine grants?<br />
(3) Why did Government-held marginal seats receive 36 per cent more environmental grants than the<br />
State average from 2002-2007?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) For the period between 2002-03 and 2006-07 reviewed by the Auditor General, only one program's<br />
evaluation fell within the period and had been completed. In 2008, the Environmental Trust approved<br />
a new evaluation framework for all its programs, consistent with the NSW Government's Guide to<br />
Grants Administration. The three other grant programs audited by the Auditor General are currently<br />
being reviewed.<br />
(2) Independent reviewers will be appointed in line with the Environmental Trust's and other grants<br />
programs evaluation schedules. Three programs have evaluations underway.<br />
(3) Decisions to approve or decline grant applications are based only on program-specific selection<br />
criteria. All applications to all the audited programs are independently assessed.<br />
*7398 MISUSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST FUNDS—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier,<br />
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce—<br />
(1) Why did the Environmental Trust not pursue the Aboriginal holding company that used $5000 <strong>of</strong> a<br />
land restoration grant on a camera and computer, as reported by the Auditor-General in August<br />
2009?<br />
(2) Will the Trust begin action to recover the misused funds?<br />
(3) If so, when?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) The Trust did not pursue this issue with the Aboriginal holding company. Even though the variation<br />
to the project was made without prior permission, the monies used for purchasing the computer and<br />
camera were seen to support the Community Development Employment Program participants in<br />
their training and work on the project, and contributed further to the capacity building <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Bandjalang Aboriginal community as a whole. It was determined that pursuing the return <strong>of</strong> the<br />
funds would have resulted in overall negative outcomes for the local Aboriginal community.<br />
(2) <strong>No</strong>.<br />
(3) N⁄A<br />
*7399 SMIGGIN HOLES WATER SUPPLY—Mr Michael Richardson asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for<br />
Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce—<br />
(1) How many people in Smiggin Holes village reported gastric complaints in August?<br />
(2) (a) Was the water supply proven to be the source <strong>of</strong> the complaints?<br />
(b) If so, what had contaminated the water?<br />
(3) Which department is responsible for ensuring safe water supply in Smiggin Holes?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) Approximately 300 people.<br />
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