asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 17 August 2011:

In regard to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), can a list be provided of all office locations that the MDBA leases or owns, including the following details for each location:

(a) office size;

(b) if leased, annual lease payments and lease cost per square metre;

(c) if leased, the length of the lease, including any options to terminate the lease;

(d) the value of any buildings owned; and

(e) depreciation costs on buildings that are owned.

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

Lease—51 Allara Street, Civic Canberra

(a) Size: 3,863m2.

(b) Annual lease payments: $1,506,570 (plus GST). Lease cost per square metre: $390/m2.

(c) Length of the lease: 10 years and 3 months commencing from 1 January 2007. No option to terminate.

(d) N/A.

(e) N/A.

Lease—40 Allara Street, Civic Canberra

(a) Size: 805m2.

(b) Annual lease payments: $309,925 (plus GST). Lease cost per square metre: $385/m2.

(c) Length of the lease: 5 years 11 months commencing from 1 May 2011. No option to terminate.

(d) N/A.

(e) N/A.

In addition, the MDBA has Licence Agreements to use accommodation as follows: