FIREARM OUTLETS EXCLUSION ZONE

The Hon. ROY SMITH: My question is directed to the Treasurer, representing the Minister for Planning. Is the Treasurer aware that Kuring-gai Council is seeking approval from the Minister for Planning for a local environmental plan that would restrict the location of firearm outlets and prevent legitimate firearms dealers operating within a 500 metre exclusion zone around schools, preschools and day care centres? Is the Treasurer also aware that Kogarah Council is looking at, "Banning the establishment of premises selling firearms near residential areas, schools, churches, places of worship, child-care centres, premises selling alcohol, premises selling food and other similar places?"

There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that legitimate firearm dealers pose any threat whatsoever to the local community. However, if the Minister for Planning does determine to approve, in the interests of safety, that new gun shops cannot be established near an existing school, preschool, church, place of worship, child-care centres, premises selling alcohol, premises selling food or any other similar place, will the Minister ensure that, in the interests of safety, no new school, no new preschool, no new church, no new place of worship, no new child-care centre, no new premises selling alcohol or food or any other similar place can be established in any area near an existing gun shop?

MR MICHAEL COSTA: I was asked a similar question by one of the members of the Shooters Party, not the Greens, and I made the point at that time that this was a matter for the Minister for Planning. However, whilst existing zonings apply, one would expect that those zonings would be the basis of any determination of local communities and local government. I will take the question on notice and see what the Minister for Planning has to say.

From Hansard, October 26 2007: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/HansTrans.nsf/v3ByKey/LC20071016