❓ Hon Adele Farina questions the WA Museum's actions to protect shipwreck relics at the site of a proposed Department of Parks and Wildlife office in Bunbury. The WA Museum assures that the relics are protected under the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973.
AnsweredQoN 4302Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What action has the Western Australian Museum undertaken to protect the archaeological material/shipwreck relics on the site of the proposed new Department of Parks and Wildlife office in Bunbury either under its own Act or other Acts and the City of Bunbury Town Planning Scheme? (2) Will some sort of protection order be in place before works can commence on the site? (3) If no to (2), how can the Western Australian Museum undertake its responsibilities under its Act to protect shipwreck relics and ensure the relics are protected if works are permitted to commence without a protection order being in place?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 September 2016
Responded by
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts
Response time
28 days
(1) The WA Museum has worked closely with the City of Bunbury (the City) and the Department of Parks and Wildlife to undertake archaeological research to identify, locate and delineate the extent of maritime archaeological sites, as defined by section 4(1) of the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 (the MA Act). This research included desktop studies; providing heritage and planning advice according to State legislation, and nationally and internationally accepted heritage management guidelines; magnetometer surveys; water probe surveys; archaeological monitoring during site investigation works; and archaeological excavations.
The WA Museum has advised that the wreck sites and their associated relics are well protected under the terms of the MA Act and that the proposed development is entirely consistent with the area’s maritime heritage values. The City has advised that Lots 881, 882, and 883 are listed on its Municipal Heritage Inventory and Heritage List. Further questions about the application of the City’s Town Planning Scheme are best directed to the City.
The WA Museum will continue to work with the City to locate maritime archaeological sites, establish processes for their long-term protection and management under the MA Act and local planning regime, and determine appropriate investigations, advice and conditions for any proposed development.
(2) The wrecks and associated relics of pre-1900 ships located at the site in question are automatically protected under section 6(1) of the MA Act. The offence provisions under section 8(1) of the MA Act may apply to a person who “alters, removes, destroys, damages, or in any way deals with” wrecks and relics vested in the Museum under section 6(1). The vesting and offence provisions also apply to maritime archaeological sites, as defined under section 4(1) of the MA Act. The WA Museum, therefore has advised that a more formal ‘protection order’ is not required.
(3) Not applicable.
The WA Museum has advised that the wreck sites and their associated relics are well protected under the terms of the MA Act and that the proposed development is entirely consistent with the area’s maritime heritage values. The City has advised that Lots 881, 882, and 883 are listed on its Municipal Heritage Inventory and Heritage List. Further questions about the application of the City’s Town Planning Scheme are best directed to the City.
The WA Museum will continue to work with the City to locate maritime archaeological sites, establish processes for their long-term protection and management under the MA Act and local planning regime, and determine appropriate investigations, advice and conditions for any proposed development.
(2) The wrecks and associated relics of pre-1900 ships located at the site in question are automatically protected under section 6(1) of the MA Act. The offence provisions under section 8(1) of the MA Act may apply to a person who “alters, removes, destroys, damages, or in any way deals with” wrecks and relics vested in the Museum under section 6(1). The vesting and offence provisions also apply to maritime archaeological sites, as defined under section 4(1) of the MA Act. The WA Museum, therefore has advised that a more formal ‘protection order’ is not required.
(3) Not applicable.
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