Greens to move for release of papers on Government’s secret Killalea deal

“Yesterday Lands Minister Kelly signed an agreement to lease 3 parcels of land in Killalea State Park, the 250ha pristine coastal reserve on 8km of coastline and surfing beaches between Shellharbour and Kiama,” Ms Hale said.

“No details of the lease have been made public. The Killalea Trust has been sworn to secrecy, and even the representatives of Shellharbour and Kiama councils on the Trust have been forbidden to inform their councils of the details of the 52-year lease.

“The only thing that is clear is that this is the first time a private company has been permitted to exploit a state park for profit.

“The lease is to Killalea Coastal Investments Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Mariner Financial Ltd, a director of which is the former Victorian State Treasurer Alan Stockdale, who led the charge to privatise Victoria’s public assets.

“There has been no public consultation whatsoever about the proposal, let alone any guarantee that money generated by the lease will be devoted to the park’s upkeep.

“Mariner Finance will now submit a development application to Shellharbour Council. Blind Freddy can see that, regardless of community submissions or opposition, Planning Minister Sartor will ensure that it is approved.

“It is essential that the all the murky details of the lease be made available. I will be moving in parliament that all relevant documents be tabled so that we can all know what’s going on and what’s been agreed to behind the public’s back,” Ms Hale said.

For more information:       Hazel Blunden, 9230 3030, 0437 092 154