Below are concrete, source‑grounded steps and operational controls for the Board, officers, developers, purchasers and advisors to ensure statutory compliance under the Act. Citations to the Act sections are included for each step.
Board and governance
- Corporate plan timetable and content. Prepare a corporate plan by 31 May each year for the coming 3‑year period commencing 1 July (s 38(1)). Ensure the plan contains objectives, major strategies and the Corporation’s financial plans (s 38(2)) and is consistent with any site master plan (s 38(3)). Submit the plan to the Minister for approval and be prepared to amend if required (s 38(4)-(5)).
- Site master plan process. If directed under s 37(1), prepare a site master plan that sets a redevelopment framework and major strategies (s 37(2)). Provide the plan to the Minister and act on any requirement to amend before approval (s 37(3)-(4)). Operate in accordance with the approved site master plan unless the Minister approves otherwise (s 37(8)).
- Document and minute ministerial directions and board decisions. Keep formal records of any directions given by the Minister (s 36) and ensure the Board acts consistently with directions (s 36(3)). Record these in the minutes and report actions in the annual report (s 50(2)(g)).
- Establish and run an audit committee and internal audit function. The Board must establish an audit committee and ensure it provides advice on internal audit, financial reporting systems and resources (s 12(1), (3)). Ensure the audit committee chair is a director and the CEO is not a member (Schedule 3 cl 1(2)-(3)).
Director and officer behaviour
5. Duty compliance and the business judgment rule. For material decisions, record the information relied upon, expert advice obtained and the director’s rational belief as to best interests to avail of the business judgment protection (s 22(4)). Use s 25 as the framework for reasonable reliance on professional advice and document independent assessments.
6. Disclose material personal interests promptly and fully. At meetings, give notice of material personal interests in the form required (s 26(3)-(4)). Ensure notices are recorded in minutes and provided to the Minister. Use standing notices where appropriate (s 28). If the Board determines a director has an interest, follow the declaration and notice requirements (s 27).
7. Avoid participation where conflicted. Exclude a director with a material personal interest from presence and voting unless the Board, in the director’s absence, passes a specific resolution permitting presence and vote and records reasons and details and provides the Minister with notice (s 29(1), (4), s 26(4)).
Financial control and Treasury relations
8. Follow Treasurer’s Instructions and seek modifications if needed. Treat Treasurer’s Instructions as applying to the Corporation (s 40(1)-(3)). If the Corporation considers a modification is required, engage the Treasurer in advance for a notice on modifications.
9. Borrowing approvals and planning for Treasury sign-off. Obtain Treasurer’s written approval before borrowing from persons other than the Treasurer (s 47(2)). For loans from the Treasurer, consult the Minister (s 45(2)) and expect conditions (s 45(3)). Where assets will be used as security, ensure proper approvals and documentation per s 47(3).
10. Accurate accounts and retention. Keep accounting records that allow true and fair accounts and audit (s 48), comply with Australian Accounting Standards except where Treasurer directs otherwise, and retain records for at least seven years (s 48(c)(iii)-(iv)).
Planning scheme and land dealings
11. Use the Board‑to‑Minister planning route properly. If the Board intends to request planning-scheme amendments, prepare a draft and follow the notification requirements to relevant planning authorities and adjoining owners/occupiers and provide opportunity for representations (s 39G(1), (3)-(4)). Include statements required by s 39G(8): consultation, consistency with LUPAA objectives, State Policies and the Southern Regional Land Use Strategy.
12. Track limits on number and timing of requests. Note that only one request may be issued for particular categories (s 39G(2)), and that the Board must consider representations and may amend drafts before submission to the Minister (s 39G(6)-(7)).
13. Plan for Commission timescales. If the Minister approves amendments, the Commission must prepare and make amendments within 14 days or longer with Minister approval (s 39J(1)). Prepare supporting materials and responses promptly to meet these compressed timeframes.
14. Covenants and title recording. If the Corporation or Minister intends to enter covenants/agreements affecting site land, ensure the parties understand that benefits and burdens run with the land and that the Recorder of Titles will record these instruments on direction (s 39B(1), (3)-(5)). Note expressly that no compensation is payable under s 39D.
Remediation compliance
15. Obtain and verify environmental accreditation. Before redevelopment begin, ensure an accredited environmental auditor certifies remediation for the specific redevelopment (s 39F(1)). Coordinate with the Director under the EMPC Act on auditor accreditation requirements, conditions, and potential revocation (s 39F(3)-(6)). Maintain documentation evidencing auditor accreditation and the auditor’s report.
Reporting, audit, and annual returns
16. Timely financial statements and audits. Prepare and forward financial statements to the Auditor‑General for each financial year as required under the Audit Act 2008 (s 49(1)-(4)). Ensure statements consist of required elements (operating statement, balance sheet, cash flows, notes) and comply with Australian Accounting Standards or Treasurer directions (s 49(2)-(4)).
17. Annual report content and timing. Prepare the annual report with the items listed in s 50(2), including the Auditor‑General’s report, corporate plan summary, reports on operations, details on Ministerial directions and actions taken, and any other Minister-required information. Provide the annual report to the Minister by 31 October (s 50(3)).
Record‑keeping, access and transparency
18. Facilitate directors’ and former directors’ access to records. Implement processes that enable directors and former directors (within seven years) to inspect and copy records at reasonable times and for the permitted purposes including litigation (ss 20-21). Denial of access can attract financial penalties (s 20(3), s 21(2)).
19. Notification obligations. Notify the Minister as soon as practicable of matters that may prevent or significantly affect implementation of the site master plan, achievement of corporate plan objectives, financial viability or other policies in the corporate plan (s 39).
Operational and contracting practices
20. Procurement, contracts and approvals. For any business undertaking related to the site or Brooke Street Pier, determine whether Ministerial written approval is required (s 8(2)). For joint ventures, partnerships or profit-sharing arrangements, secure Minister approval where needed (s 8(2)(d)). Ensure contracts respect the leasing limit (s 8(3)(a)) unless approval is obtained.
21. Employee transfers and conditions. If transferring State Service staff, follow Gazette notice procedures and ensure contractual and State Service Act compliance (s 52). Ensure those bodies’ employment entitlements are preserved or addressed under the State Service Act where relevant.
Compliance monitoring and legal risk mitigation
22. Legal review of title and planning instruments. Before executing covenants or purchasing site land, undertake title searches to detect previously recorded covenants entered under s 39B/39C and legal advice on enforceability and restrictions.
23. Insurance, indemnity planning and budgets. Recognise the Act’s limits on indemnities (s 35). Structure insurance to cover legal costs and liabilities that the Act permits insurers to cover, and maintain appropriate director and officer insurance mindful of s 35 exclusions (noting s 35(4) allows indemnity for legal costs generally).
24. Training and compliance calendars. Institute a compliance calendar keyed to corporate-plan deadlines, site master plan approvals, Treasurer/Minister reporting, audit and annual report cycles, and planning consultation timeframes in ss 39G-39H, to avoid missed statutory windows.
By embedding these steps into corporate, legal, financial and project management processes and documenting decisions, Board members and officers will align with statutory duties (ss 22-25), respect Ministerial and Treasurer controls (ss 36, 40, 45-47), satisfy planning and remediation prerequisites (ss 39F, 39G-39J, 39K), and limit exposure to criminal, civil and administrative enforcement (ss 31-35).