The Attorney-General, Brian Wightman, today signed a deed of settlement with Walker Corporation in relation to outstanding matters related to the Lauderdale Quay project of state significance assessment.

Mr Wightman said in 2007 the Department of Economic Development and Walker Corporation agreed that the cost of the Resource Planning and Development Commission assessments would be met by Walker Corporation.

"Walker Corporation made a payment as a first instalment in 2008 and for some time now the Department of Justice has been seeking to have Walker Corporation pay the outstanding costs in relation to the assessment," he said.

"Negotiations have been protracted and both parties have now concluded that the costs of the assessment were not recoverable from Walker Corporation.

"To avoid the costs of further protracted action, most likely in the Courts, I have decided to settle the matter on the basis that the money already paid to the Crown will be retained by the Crown and the outstanding amount will be waived."

Mr Wightman said he had previously indicated that the total cost of the assessment was approximately $1.107 Million.

"I have now been informed by my Department that their advice on the total was wrong.  The final cost of the assessment was $856,000.

"The difference of approximately $251,000 is related to an incorrect invoice.   The amount recovered from Walkers Corporation is $134,644.01.

 "The amount outstanding is $721,000 ex GST.

"I will formally notify Parliament of the Department's accounting error when Parliament returns later this month."