Legislative Council, Thursday 19 March 2026
Ms THOMAS on behalf of Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY
With regard to Wild Drake’s commercial lease for Lake Malbena including most of Halls Island, Minister Duigan committed to a ‘lease review’ prior to renewing Wild Drake’s lease over Halls Island and Lake Malbena at Budget Estimates on Tuesday 18 November, and given that the lease is due to expire on 31 March 2026;
- Has any review of Wild Drake’s lease over Halls Island and Lake Malbena been undertaken?
ANSWER
- The Halls Island / Lake Malbena proposal remains subject to all relevant local, State and Australian Government planning and approval processes.
- At this point in time, it is a matter that is with the Australian Government to progress and Senator Murray Watt the Minister for the Environment and Water has carriage of this matter.
- The Acting Minister for Parks will take advice in relation to the lease and licence arrangements for Halls Island.
- The Deed of Variation is clear, that the Minister for Parks should not unreasonably withhold consent to an extension if the Operator is responding to requests from the Commonwealth within a reasonable timeframe.
- The lease and Deed of Variation is publicly available on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania’s website as an active disclosure.
- Given that Wild Drake is insolvent, and that on numerous occasions it has failed to meet conditions of the lease, why is renewal of the lease even being considered?
ANSWER
- To date, there has not been any determination on insolvency.
- I understand an application was made by a third party to wind up Wild Drake.
- This matter is with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, a liquidator has been appointed and the company remains under external administration.
- There is provision in the lease for termination in the event of insolvency.
- The Government cannot comment any further at this stage as the legal process is underway.