BY LAUREN KEMPE
National Party Member Paul Toole has sparked concern from Labor MPs after being appointed as the fifth Minister for Crown Lands in six years.
The Department for Lands has recently had large scale cuts to jobs and resources under the Liberals and Nationals who are keen to increase the sale and transfer of Crown Lands in New South Wales.
Shadow Minister for Lands Mick Veitch says job cuts and shutdowns in crown lands offices could lead to a mismanagement of Hunter sites.
Veitch says, "The new Minister needs to address job cuts, rule out office closures, and bring in changes to the Crown Lands Act to ensure there is transparency in decision making and meaningful community involvement in the management of our valuable Crown Land estate."
The Baird government spent $490, 000 on the first stage safety works to re-open the Bogey Hole, which was done by Former Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald in December last year.
Last year Auditor-General Margaret Crawford released a report into Crown Land management, with Government subsequently allowing the Minister to transfer and sell Crown Land without considering the public interest.
Between 2012 and 2015, 97% of leases and 50% of sales were negotiated directly between the department and an individual.
Auditor-General Margaret Crawford has recommended the Department review its existing leasing portfolio to identify and resolve issues such as incorrect and outdated market rents, improve consultation with stakeholders for more involvement in decisions, increase transparency and provide more support to its staff.
The Department manages around 8,500 leases, of which 275 were classified as ‘high value’ (with an annual rental return greater than $20, 000).
Decisions on the sale and lease of Crown Land are not yet clear to the public.
Pictured: National Party Minister for Crown Lands Paul Toole
