Liberal MLC Rob Lucas said today he would be asking the Statutory Authorities Review Committee (SARC) to recall key Land Management Corporation (LMC) executives to give further evidence to respond to allegations there was a major error in the Newport Quays Redevelopment contract which threatened the vicinity of commercial fishing businesses at Port Adelaide.
Mr Lucas said The Rann Government also needs to explain claims made in evidence to the Committee that Deputy Premier Kevin Foley had broken key promises made to a commercial boat building company at Port Adelaide.
Last week, Executive Director of A Raptis and Sons Pty Ltd, Mr Jim Raptis, claimed the Rann Government and the LMC had made a major error in its contract with private developers. He said:
“Under the current agreement there should have been a 20-metre easement between the wharves and the land that is sold to Urban Construct. At the present time, unless the agreement is amended, Urban Construct actually acquires the land right up to the wharves, which means that there is no way that anybody can access it to use it. It is creating an untenable situation, where we do not have any security of tenure to be able to conduct our business in the future.”
“Well, we will not be able to continue to operate without access to these wharves on a permanent basis. If we are unable to use the wharf sides, how can we operate our boats, that is, bring them in to do refits and repairs, and for unloadings, refuelling and crew changes and for water and food? It would make it virtually impossible.”
Mr J Raptis, 10 May 2007
“Minister for Infrastructure Pat Conlon is the Minister in charge of this redevelopment contract and if there has been a major error, he must accept political responsibility,” Mr Lucas said.
In other evidence to the SARC last week, Director of Searles Boat Yard Mr Kingsley Haskett, which has operated at the Port since 1928, claimed Deputy Premier Kevin Foley had broken a key promise made to his company.
“He said that we would not be disadvantaged financially or in any other way by this development, and he would see to that.”
Mr K Haskett, 9 May 2007
“Mr Haskett told the Committee that as a result of Rann Government and LMC actions, his business will be closed down in June of next year.
“Mr Foley must be held to account and asked why he has broken a key promise made to this local business.
“These are serious allegations made by local South Australian businesses about the actions of the Rann Government and the LMC, and I hope the SARC will agree to recall key LMC executives to answer some of these allegations.”
