CHAIR - You didn't need to make any comments on this? Mr JAENSCH - If I take your advice from previous hearings, I won't poke the bear. CHAIR - I am sure you will be able to use the information there to answer questions. I will go to output group 1.11 Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal and Mr Valentine is leading on this. Output group 1.11 Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal Mr VALENTINE - Can you explain why the forward Estimates for the tribunal show an increase which is roughly 50 per cent greater than would be explained by wage inflation alone? In providing that explanation, could you also provide information on the number of disputes expected to be considered by the tribunal when determining the resourcing required over the forward Estimates. Mr JAENSCH - In response, I introduce at the table Jarrod Bryan, Registrar for the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal. I will ask Jarrod to lead the answer. Mr BRYAN - I would want to speak to Mr Wailes, who is head of the finance section of the department before giving an answer so that I understand those figures and how those estimates were made. If I could take it on notice and speak to him briefly? Mr JAENSCH - Yes. CHAIR - We can come back to that if we need to, minister. Mr JAENSCH - I would be happy for that to be taken on notice. Mr VALENTINE - A new neighbourhood disputes about plants act came in last year. Since the proclamation of that act, how many disputes have you had in relation to that new act? Mr BRYAN - As at yesterday's date, eight. Mr VALENTINE - Eight disputes. Have they been congenial disputes or acrimonious? Mr BRYAN - Congenial disputes. CHAIR - I am not sure what they look like? Mr BRYAN - I am not sure I should be venturing an opinion on that. Mr VALENTINE - You can't comment. I understand. I would be very interested to know. I did comment saying I thought it might create more aggression than settle things down. Is there a trend at this point in the number you are likely to see going forward? It is only eight but is it elevating or is it over a period of time - a couple of months or something?
Ms LOVELL - When would you expect the remainder? Mr JAENSCH - There is some projections for beyond that of what happens into the early part of next year. When you refer to my predecessor, he is very ambitious for the process to move swiftly. Ms LOVELL - He made some ambitious commitments. Mr JAENSCH - He sets targets, he is a go-get-'em guy. It was a program of work that he did not directly control because it is in the hands of 29 councils, each of whom has its own limitations and other priorities that they have to deal with from time to time. Sometimes floods and so on. Ms LOVELL - That is the risk in making commitments that you do not have full control of. Mr JAENSCH - At the same time you have to be ambitious. Ms LOVELL - Are you able to give us an indication of when you would expect the remainder of those councils to be on board so the scheme can be rolled out across the state. It was due this year. It sounds like that is not going to happen either. Mr JAENSCH - I am as ambitious as my predecessor. I am not going to put a date around that but I will work with our councils, our department, our TPC and take their advice on what we can do as a Government to make that happen as soon as possible. Ms LOVELL - You are not expecting that to be before the end of the calendar year? Mr JAENSCH - No. CHAIR - I am going to go back to 4.2 because we have been in 4.3 with all those questions. Mr VALENTINE - You might remember 55 Mount Stuart Road and the angst over that demolition. They were calling for a ban on that developer to not develop for another 10 years, but there was no capacity to impose a ban. CHAIR - Is this a question for the Tasmanian Planning Commission? Mr VALENTINE - It is about the Planning Commission's power to be able to, as they used to, put a ban on for a 10-year period. That is no longer available, I believe? CHAIR - I do not believe this is in this output group. We are talking about the Tasmanian Planning Commission and its functions. Mr VALENTINE - Yes. CHAIR - I will seek advice from the minister as to whether this fits into this or not. Mr JAENSCH - It is a tribunal matter.