I propose to take questions Nos. 26, 47 and 50 together.
An Action Programme for the Millennium identifies as a key priority "transferring small harbours to local control to develop marine leisure activities" in the context of securing and enhancing the livelihoods of the coastal communities who depend on the sea for their future. Partnership 2000 commits to "review the strategic options for the future development and management of declining commercial regional ports". The strategy statement 1998-2000 of the Department commits as a key objective "to facilitate the restructuring of the roles of sub-regional ports".
Within these contexts consultants have been contracted to undertake a review of State regional ports and harbours with a cargo throughput of less than 250,000 tonnes to develop a general strategic framework for these ports and harbours, having regard to their differing conditions and potential, and to recommend generic and port/harbour related models and options which will best deliver the objectives of the strategic framework.