Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:49): My question is for the Minister for Planning and relates to the pending government response to the Barwon River ministerial advisory committee’s recommendations on future development of the Barwon and Moorabool rivers and surrounding areas. It has come to my attention that you, Minister, were requested, even before responding to the ministerial advisory committee’s report, to enact a moratorium on all planning approvals. It is clear that such a decision would be hugely disruptive to existing applications, many of which have been years in development, on which decisions are expected soon. The uncertainty now fostered is deeply damaging and can only discourage investment and development. My question is: can the minister end this uncertainty now, explain when the response to the committee’s recommendation is due and confirm that no moratorium will be enacted before this date?