❓ Hon Robin Chapple asks about unauthorised clearing of native vegetation at Roebuck, Broome. The Minister for Environment confirms breaches of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and provides details on the clearing, penalties, and investigation.
AnsweredQoN 4263Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the alleged unauthorised clearing of native vegetation at lot 535, plan 73704,
Roebuck, Broome, and I ask: (a) has the Department of Environment (DER) completed an investigation into the clearing; (b) did DER determine that the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 had been breached; (c) what provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 have been breached; (d) what is the maximum penalty for breaching those provisions; (e) how many hectares have been cleared; (f) when was the land cleared; (g) what purpose was the land cleared for; (h) was that land listed as an Environmentally Sensitive Area; (i) who undertook the clearing; (j) who owns the land; (k) will the Minister release the report into the clearing; (l) if no to (k), why not; and (m) if no to (a), why not?
Roebuck, Broome, and I ask: (a) has the Department of Environment (DER) completed an investigation into the clearing; (b) did DER determine that the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 had been breached; (c) what provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 have been breached; (d) what is the maximum penalty for breaching those provisions; (e) how many hectares have been cleared; (f) when was the land cleared; (g) what purpose was the land cleared for; (h) was that land listed as an Environmentally Sensitive Area; (i) who undertook the clearing; (j) who owns the land; (k) will the Minister release the report into the clearing; (l) if no to (k), why not; and (m) if no to (a), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 September 2016
Responded by
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
28 days
The Minister for Environment has provided the following response.
(a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Section 51C, Environmental Protection Act 1986 , unauthorised clearing of native vegetation.
(d) For an individual, a fine of up to $250,000, with a daily penalty of up to $50,000 per day. For a body corporate a fine of up to $500,000 with a daily penalty of up to $100,000 per day.
(e) Estimated to be 50 hectares.
(f) The land was cleared between 9 November 2013 and 28 June 2014.
(g) The clearing was for building of stock water tanks, fencing, laneways for stock and firebreaks.
(h) No.
(i) Wirildi Pty Ltd.
(j) The land is a Crown lease.
(k)-(l) The Department of Environment Regulation investigation report contains information relating to third parties. Under normal Freedom of Information release, third parties need to consent to information being released therefore it is appropriate that only an excerpt of the report is provided.
[See Tabled Paper No. #].
(m) Not applicable.
(a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Section 51C, Environmental Protection Act 1986 , unauthorised clearing of native vegetation.
(d) For an individual, a fine of up to $250,000, with a daily penalty of up to $50,000 per day. For a body corporate a fine of up to $500,000 with a daily penalty of up to $100,000 per day.
(e) Estimated to be 50 hectares.
(f) The land was cleared between 9 November 2013 and 28 June 2014.
(g) The clearing was for building of stock water tanks, fencing, laneways for stock and firebreaks.
(h) No.
(i) Wirildi Pty Ltd.
(j) The land is a Crown lease.
(k)-(l) The Department of Environment Regulation investigation report contains information relating to third parties. Under normal Freedom of Information release, third parties need to consent to information being released therefore it is appropriate that only an excerpt of the report is provided.
[See Tabled Paper No. #].
(m) Not applicable.
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