❓ This WA parliamentary question concerns the establishment of the Wanjina National Park in the Kimberley, focusing on timelines, joint management with traditional owners, and the impact on existing mining tenements. The response outlines the government's commitment to joint management and addresses mining interests.
AnsweredQoN 23Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) With regards to the Liberals' Conservation and Biodiversity Policy, what is the proposed timeframe for the creation of the Wanjina National Park in the Kimberley?
(2) Who will be the final decision makers in relation to the running of the park?
(3) What role will the Dambimangari, Wunambal-Gaambera and Wilinggin peoples have in determining the direction of the park management?
(4) Will there be joint management of the park between the State and the Dambimangari, Wunambal-Gaambera and Wilinggin people?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) If yes to (4), what will be the numerical makeup of the joint management team?
(7) If yes to (4), will the State have the final determination in management decisions?
(8) If yes to (7), why?
(9) Will the Department of Environment and Conservation gain any revenue from tourism, accommodation or other activities conducted within the proposed Wanjina National Park?
(10) In relation to the mining and exploration tenements held by the Fortescue Metals Group, Mineralogy, Cliffs Asia Pacific, Cazaly Iron, Pegmont Mines and Rio Tinto within the boundaries of the proposed Wanjina National Park, will these leases be cancelled?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) If yes to (10), when will this occur?
(13) Will further prospecting, exploration or mining tenements be allowed in the proposed Wanjina National Park once it is established?
(14) If yes to (13), on what grounds?
(2) Who will be the final decision makers in relation to the running of the park?
(3) What role will the Dambimangari, Wunambal-Gaambera and Wilinggin peoples have in determining the direction of the park management?
(4) Will there be joint management of the park between the State and the Dambimangari, Wunambal-Gaambera and Wilinggin people?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) If yes to (4), what will be the numerical makeup of the joint management team?
(7) If yes to (4), will the State have the final determination in management decisions?
(8) If yes to (7), why?
(9) Will the Department of Environment and Conservation gain any revenue from tourism, accommodation or other activities conducted within the proposed Wanjina National Park?
(10) In relation to the mining and exploration tenements held by the Fortescue Metals Group, Mineralogy, Cliffs Asia Pacific, Cazaly Iron, Pegmont Mines and Rio Tinto within the boundaries of the proposed Wanjina National Park, will these leases be cancelled?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) If yes to (10), when will this occur?
(13) Will further prospecting, exploration or mining tenements be allowed in the proposed Wanjina National Park once it is established?
(14) If yes to (13), on what grounds?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 June 2013
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
The Minister for Environment has provided the following response.
(1) It is expected that the national park will be created by the end
of 2016.
(2)-(8) The Government has committed to joint management of the
national park between the Dambimangari, Wunambal Gaambera and Wilinggin native
title holders and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) in
accordance with the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act
1984 (CALM Act). Formal joint management of this and other conservation
reserves, including marine parks, is possible as a result of legislative
amendments introduced by this Government and passed by Parliament in 2012.
A joint management body must be established to jointly manage lands that are
subject to a CALM Act section 56A joint management agreement. Joint management
bodies include representatives of the relevant Aboriginal body corporate and
DEC, with the numbers of each to be determined. The joint management body will
make decisions relating to the management of the national park. In the event
that a joint management body cannot agree on a matter, that matter may be
referred to the Minister for Environment as the person ultimately responsible
for administration of the CALM Act.
(9) The CALM Act and Conservation and Land Management Regulations
2002 provide the ability for the collection of fees and charges within the
national park. Where fees and charges are applied, the joint management bodies
will have a role in determining how the revenue will be used in the joint
management of the national park including for Aboriginal employment.
(10)-(12) The detailed process and consultation arrangements for addressing
mining interests are currently being developed.
(13)-(14) Once the national park is established, the relevant provisions of
the Mining Act 1978 will apply. Any exploration activities within the
boundaries of the national park will require the consent of the Minister for
Mines and Petroleum who must consult with, and gain the concurrence of, the
Minister for Environment. A mining lease can only be granted in a national park
where both Houses of Parliament pass a resolution consenting to the grant.
(1) It is expected that the national park will be created by the end
of 2016.
(2)-(8) The Government has committed to joint management of the
national park between the Dambimangari, Wunambal Gaambera and Wilinggin native
title holders and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) in
accordance with the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act
1984 (CALM Act). Formal joint management of this and other conservation
reserves, including marine parks, is possible as a result of legislative
amendments introduced by this Government and passed by Parliament in 2012.
A joint management body must be established to jointly manage lands that are
subject to a CALM Act section 56A joint management agreement. Joint management
bodies include representatives of the relevant Aboriginal body corporate and
DEC, with the numbers of each to be determined. The joint management body will
make decisions relating to the management of the national park. In the event
that a joint management body cannot agree on a matter, that matter may be
referred to the Minister for Environment as the person ultimately responsible
for administration of the CALM Act.
(9) The CALM Act and Conservation and Land Management Regulations
2002 provide the ability for the collection of fees and charges within the
national park. Where fees and charges are applied, the joint management bodies
will have a role in determining how the revenue will be used in the joint
management of the national park including for Aboriginal employment.
(10)-(12) The detailed process and consultation arrangements for addressing
mining interests are currently being developed.
(13)-(14) Once the national park is established, the relevant provisions of
the Mining Act 1978 will apply. Any exploration activities within the
boundaries of the national park will require the consent of the Minister for
Mines and Petroleum who must consult with, and gain the concurrence of, the
Minister for Environment. A mining lease can only be granted in a national park
where both Houses of Parliament pass a resolution consenting to the grant.
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