❓ Hon Robin Chapple asks about native vegetation clearing on Kimberley pastoral leases, including approved and actual clearing amounts, permit validity, cumulative environmental impacts, and government policy on clearing and water use. The government provides data on clearing amounts, permit durations, and references the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
AnsweredQoN 1409Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice No. 1069, dated 9 April 2014, regarding the clearing of native vegetation on Kimberley pastoral leases, the part-reply to which was tabled on 17 June 2014 by the Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Lands, and I ask: (a) for each of the past seven years, how many hectares of native vegetation clearing has been approved for pastoral leases in the Kimberley region, on a property by property basis; (b) how many hectares of native vegetation have actually been cleared on pastoral leases in the Kimberley in the past seven years, including but not limited to Liveringa, Gogo, Wallal Downs and Kilto Stations; (c) for how long after granting do clearing approvals remain valid; (d) has there been any regional assessment of the potential cumulative environmental impacts of the native vegetation clearing activities as described above; (e) what is the Government's policy on approvals for large scale native
vegetation clearing on pastoral leases in the Kimberley; and (f) does the Government have any policy on limiting the extent and impact of
native vegetation clearing and the resultant increased surface and
groundwater water use in the Kimberley?
vegetation clearing on pastoral leases in the Kimberley; and (f) does the Government have any policy on limiting the extent and impact of
native vegetation clearing and the resultant increased surface and
groundwater water use in the Kimberley?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2014
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
(a) For this analysis, the 'Kimberley region' is regarded to be the same as the 'Kimberley Land Division' as specified in Schedule 1 of the
Land Administration Act 1997
. Wallal Downs is located adjacent to the Kimberley Land Division, and has been included in the analysis. Assuming the Hon Member is referring to clearing of native vegetation for pastoral purposes, the answer is 8239.33 hectares and is broken down in years and pastoral leases.
[see tabled paper no].
(b) Assuming the Hon Member is referring to clearing of native vegetation for pastoral purposes, in the past seven years, approximately 3211 hectares have been cleared on pastoral leases in the Kimberley Land Division. This information was obtained through the use of remote sensed images monitoring vegetation change. In the time available, it is not possible to determine whether clearing occurred through mechanical means, seasonal variation or as a result of climatic conditions or extreme weather events.
(c) Section 51G of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
states that a clearing permit continues in force if it is an area permit, for 2 years, or if it is a purpose permit, for 5 years, from the date on which it is granted unless another period is specified.
(d) The level of clearing in the Kimberley is proportionally very low compared with the amount of native vegetation remaining. The Department of Environment Regulation will continue to evaluate the level of clearing in the Kimberley and, should it be considered warranted, carry out an analysis of satellite imagery and other data to determine cumulative impacts.
(e) Native vegetation clearing is managed in accordance with the Clearing Provisions of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
. In making a decision on a clearing permit application, the Chief Executive Officer must have regard to the clearing principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Act and any planning instrument or other relevant matter.
(f) Impacts of native vegetation clearing to water are considered in the clearing principles contained in Schedule 5 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
. Specifically clearing principles (i) and (j) state that native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause deterioration in the quality of surface or underground water and or is likely to cause, or exacerbate, the incidence or intensity of flooding.
Land Administration Act 1997
. Wallal Downs is located adjacent to the Kimberley Land Division, and has been included in the analysis. Assuming the Hon Member is referring to clearing of native vegetation for pastoral purposes, the answer is 8239.33 hectares and is broken down in years and pastoral leases.
[see tabled paper no].
(b) Assuming the Hon Member is referring to clearing of native vegetation for pastoral purposes, in the past seven years, approximately 3211 hectares have been cleared on pastoral leases in the Kimberley Land Division. This information was obtained through the use of remote sensed images monitoring vegetation change. In the time available, it is not possible to determine whether clearing occurred through mechanical means, seasonal variation or as a result of climatic conditions or extreme weather events.
(c) Section 51G of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
states that a clearing permit continues in force if it is an area permit, for 2 years, or if it is a purpose permit, for 5 years, from the date on which it is granted unless another period is specified.
(d) The level of clearing in the Kimberley is proportionally very low compared with the amount of native vegetation remaining. The Department of Environment Regulation will continue to evaluate the level of clearing in the Kimberley and, should it be considered warranted, carry out an analysis of satellite imagery and other data to determine cumulative impacts.
(e) Native vegetation clearing is managed in accordance with the Clearing Provisions of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
. In making a decision on a clearing permit application, the Chief Executive Officer must have regard to the clearing principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Act and any planning instrument or other relevant matter.
(f) Impacts of native vegetation clearing to water are considered in the clearing principles contained in Schedule 5 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
. Specifically clearing principles (i) and (j) state that native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause deterioration in the quality of surface or underground water and or is likely to cause, or exacerbate, the incidence or intensity of flooding.
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