❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding land clearing at the Dalyellup subdivision, focusing on the impact on ringtail possum habitat, compliance with clearing regulations, and the management of dune systems. The response indicates some concerns but also highlights shared responsibility between departments.
AnsweredQoN 5559Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many hectares of land have been cleared to date?
(2) How many more hectares of land are -
(a) zoned residential; and
(b) scheduled for clearing?
(3) How many hectares of land scheduled for clearing are western ringtail possum habitat?
(4) How many hectares of land cleared were ringtail possum habitat?
(5) Did the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) conduct any clearing inspections on land that has been cleared to determine if ringtail possum habitat was being preserved?
(6) If yes to (5), please provide full inspection reports.
(7) If no to (5), why not?
(8) If any of the inspections in (6) found compliance irregularities, did any of these findings lead to prosecution?
(9) If yes to (8), what prosecutions arose?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Given the Auditor General’s recent report on the DEC’s failure to manage compliance issues in relation to the clearing of native vegetation, does the DEC intend to conduct compliance testing of any future clearing at the development?
(12) If yes to (11), -
(a) what resources have been allocated for compliance testing; and
(b) which regional office will be conducting the work?
(13) If no to (11), why not?
(14) How many hectares of land scheduled for clearing comprises dune systems?
(15) If dune systems have been scheduled for clearing, what environmental and soil assessments have been done on these systems?
(16) Can the Minister confirm claims that the cleared dunes are now being mined for sand?
(17) If yes to (16), what permits have been issued to mine the sand?
(18) If no to (16), would the Minister investigate these claims?
(2) How many more hectares of land are -
(a) zoned residential; and
(b) scheduled for clearing?
(3) How many hectares of land scheduled for clearing are western ringtail possum habitat?
(4) How many hectares of land cleared were ringtail possum habitat?
(5) Did the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) conduct any clearing inspections on land that has been cleared to determine if ringtail possum habitat was being preserved?
(6) If yes to (5), please provide full inspection reports.
(7) If no to (5), why not?
(8) If any of the inspections in (6) found compliance irregularities, did any of these findings lead to prosecution?
(9) If yes to (8), what prosecutions arose?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Given the Auditor General’s recent report on the DEC’s failure to manage compliance issues in relation to the clearing of native vegetation, does the DEC intend to conduct compliance testing of any future clearing at the development?
(12) If yes to (11), -
(a) what resources have been allocated for compliance testing; and
(b) which regional office will be conducting the work?
(13) If no to (11), why not?
(14) How many hectares of land scheduled for clearing comprises dune systems?
(15) If dune systems have been scheduled for clearing, what environmental and soil assessments have been done on these systems?
(16) Can the Minister confirm claims that the cleared dunes are now being mined for sand?
(17) If yes to (16), what permits have been issued to mine the sand?
(18) If no to (16), would the Minister investigate these claims?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 November 2007
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
34 days
(1) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) estimates from information received from the Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) that 285 hectares of bushland at Dalyellup and 60 hectares of parkland-cleared farmland in east Dalyellup have been cleared to date in the Dalyellup subdivision. The Member should direct questions relating to the subdivision conditions of approval and their execution to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to obtain precise statements directly from the DPI as those matters come under their jurisdiction.
(2)(a) DEC estimates that urban development zoning applies to a further 12.3 hectares of bushland in Dalyellup and 160 hectares of parkland-cleared farmland in east Dalyellup that will be subject to clearing.
(2)(b) Of the estimated 172.3 hectares zoned for urban development, DEC estimates that in Dalyellup bushland five hectares will be cleared and part of a further 7.3 hectares will be cleared according to a development design yet to be determined, and 160 hectares in east Dalyellup will be cleared of parkland trees according to the approved Structure Plan.
(3) Most of the estimated 12.3 hectares subject to clearing contains ringtail possum habitat of varying quality.
(4) DEC advises that there was ringtail possum habitat of varying quality and carrying capacity over all of the estimated 285 hectares cleared.
(5) DEC conducted inspections to check that subdivision conditions of approval relevant to DEC's responsibilities were being met and they included the retention of some ringtail possum habitat.
(6) Inspection reports were not produced.
(7) Subdivision conditions were approved for clearance on the basis of the inspecting officer's conclusion that the conditions had been met and this process did not require an inspection report.
(8) No compliance irregularities were found.
(9) See answer to (8).
(10) See answer to (8).
(11) DEC will check compliance with Western Australian Planning Commission clearing conditions where it is nominated as the relevant authority.
(12)(a)Two officers are generally available and others can be allocated to the task as required.
(b)The South West Regional office of DEC.
(13) Not applicable.
(14) From information available to DEC, it is estimated that up to 9.8 hectares may be proposed for clearing within the Quindalup Dune System. This 9.8 hectares comprises 2.5 hectares in accordance with approved subdivisions, as well as an area of 7.3 hectares at the south-western part of the development which is identified as a tourist site and is subject to preparation of detailed design plans. More definitive information should be sought from the DPI.
(15) The Dalyellup Beach Estate development is covered by Amendment No. 2 in the Shire of Capel's Town Planning Scheme No. 7 that was assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority at Level 2 'Not Assessed - Non Binding Advice'. Landform stability and soil management are dealt with through the structure planning and subdivision planning process.
(16) DEC advises that it is aware that sand is being moved for development purposes.
(17) The movement of sand for use within the development is a subdivision planning matter managed by DPI and/or the Shire Council.
(18)No. See the answer to (17).
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(2)(a) DEC estimates that urban development zoning applies to a further 12.3 hectares of bushland in Dalyellup and 160 hectares of parkland-cleared farmland in east Dalyellup that will be subject to clearing.
(2)(b) Of the estimated 172.3 hectares zoned for urban development, DEC estimates that in Dalyellup bushland five hectares will be cleared and part of a further 7.3 hectares will be cleared according to a development design yet to be determined, and 160 hectares in east Dalyellup will be cleared of parkland trees according to the approved Structure Plan.
(3) Most of the estimated 12.3 hectares subject to clearing contains ringtail possum habitat of varying quality.
(4) DEC advises that there was ringtail possum habitat of varying quality and carrying capacity over all of the estimated 285 hectares cleared.
(5) DEC conducted inspections to check that subdivision conditions of approval relevant to DEC's responsibilities were being met and they included the retention of some ringtail possum habitat.
(6) Inspection reports were not produced.
(7) Subdivision conditions were approved for clearance on the basis of the inspecting officer's conclusion that the conditions had been met and this process did not require an inspection report.
(8) No compliance irregularities were found.
(9) See answer to (8).
(10) See answer to (8).
(11) DEC will check compliance with Western Australian Planning Commission clearing conditions where it is nominated as the relevant authority.
(12)(a)Two officers are generally available and others can be allocated to the task as required.
(b)The South West Regional office of DEC.
(13) Not applicable.
(14) From information available to DEC, it is estimated that up to 9.8 hectares may be proposed for clearing within the Quindalup Dune System. This 9.8 hectares comprises 2.5 hectares in accordance with approved subdivisions, as well as an area of 7.3 hectares at the south-western part of the development which is identified as a tourist site and is subject to preparation of detailed design plans. More definitive information should be sought from the DPI.
(15) The Dalyellup Beach Estate development is covered by Amendment No. 2 in the Shire of Capel's Town Planning Scheme No. 7 that was assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority at Level 2 'Not Assessed - Non Binding Advice'. Landform stability and soil management are dealt with through the structure planning and subdivision planning process.
(16) DEC advises that it is aware that sand is being moved for development purposes.
(17) The movement of sand for use within the development is a subdivision planning matter managed by DPI and/or the Shire Council.
(18)No. See the answer to (17).
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