❓ Question regarding the progress of the Ord River irrigation area expansion and the government's submission for Infrastructure Australia funding. The Minister details an agreement involving land transfer and road upgrades.
AnsweredQoN 86Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ORD STAGE 2 — INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA FUNDING
My question is to the dux of the school, that A student, the Minister for Regional Development! I refer the minister to the government’s inclusion of the Ord stage 2 project on his list of priorities for Infrastructure Australia funding that was recently submitted to the federal government. Can the minister inform the house on progress of the expansion of the Ord River irrigation area? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
My question is to the dux of the school, that A student, the Minister for Regional Development! I refer the minister to the government’s inclusion of the Ord stage 2 project on his list of priorities for Infrastructure Australia funding that was recently submitted to the federal government. Can the minister inform the house on progress of the expansion of the Ord River irrigation area? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question and his interest in the issue. I will come back to the member for Armadale’s question; I am happy to answer it. I made it very clear yesterday that we are not having a rigid boundary on royalties for regions for the exact region that the member indicated. She did not want Gidgegannup to be excluded, so I am saying that, in a special case, Gidgegannup could be included, based on a project and based on the support of the region. The member then asked for Peel — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for the question and his interest in the issue. I will come back to the member for Armadale’s question; I am happy to answer it. I made it very clear yesterday that we are not having a rigid boundary on royalties for regions for the exact region that the member indicated. She did not want Gidgegannup to be excluded, so I am saying that, in a special case, Gidgegannup could be included, based on a project and based on the support of the region. The member then asked for Peel — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
I thank the member for the question and his interest in the issue. I will come back to the member for Armadale’s question; I am happy to answer it. I made it very clear yesterday that we are not having a rigid boundary on royalties for regions for the exact region that the member indicated. She did not want Gidgegannup to be excluded, so I am saying that, in a special case, Gidgegannup could be included, based on a project and based on the support of the region. The member then asked for Peel — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
I will come back to the member for Armadale’s question; I am happy to answer it. I made it very clear yesterday that we are not having a rigid boundary on royalties for regions for the exact region that the member indicated. She did not want Gidgegannup to be excluded, so I am saying that, in a special case, Gidgegannup could be included, based on a project and based on the support of the region. The member then asked for Peel — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for the question and his interest in the issue. I will come back to the member for Armadale’s question; I am happy to answer it. I made it very clear yesterday that we are not having a rigid boundary on royalties for regions for the exact region that the member indicated. She did not want Gidgegannup to be excluded, so I am saying that, in a special case, Gidgegannup could be included, based on a project and based on the support of the region. The member then asked for Peel — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
I thank the member for the question and his interest in the issue. I will come back to the member for Armadale’s question; I am happy to answer it. I made it very clear yesterday that we are not having a rigid boundary on royalties for regions for the exact region that the member indicated. She did not want Gidgegannup to be excluded, so I am saying that, in a special case, Gidgegannup could be included, based on a project and based on the support of the region. The member then asked for Peel — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
I will come back to the member for Armadale’s question; I am happy to answer it. I made it very clear yesterday that we are not having a rigid boundary on royalties for regions for the exact region that the member indicated. She did not want Gidgegannup to be excluded, so I am saying that, in a special case, Gidgegannup could be included, based on a project and based on the support of the region. The member then asked for Peel — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
The SPEAKER : Order! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member thought Peel was being excluded. I said that Peel would be included in most projects. The member asked me today about fuel cards. The fuel cards were for the regions to ensure that people who did not have access to public transport could access it. I do not think the member for Mandurah could deny that people in the City of Mandurah, with such close access to the train, have access to that public transport. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Armadale! I think the minister was most generous in returning to what I described as a statement and not a question. I urge the minister to answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I turn now to the Ord River project. A major announcement was made last Thursday. I was in the Kimberley to witness the signing of an agreement between the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and the Consolidated Pastoral Company to upgrade roads leading to the Consolidated Pastoral Company site. This agreement was achieved after being brokered through an agreement with the state government to provide $360 000 to assist that road upgrade. This road upgrade triggers a series of events that will see the conversion of 16 000 hectares of the Consolidated Pastoral lease land converted to freehold title. For members’ interest, the film Australia opens tonight, and this land is where the homestead in the film, which members may see over the next couple of days, is located. This is the exact location that members will be able to see on the big screen when they watch the film. It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
It must be noted that the current irrigated area in the Ord is 14 000 hectares, so to free up 16 000 hectares of Consolidated Pastoral Company land to freehold is a major step forward in the Ord project. To complete the agreement, the Consolidated Pastoral Company paid the state $1.039 million. The Consolidated Pastoral Company has in turn agreed to relinquish 165 000 hectares of land within its Carlton Hill and Ivanhoe pastoral leases. This 165 000 hectares will be transferred to the Miriuwung Gajerrong people and it will create six new conservation reserves. Members will be very happy to hear that currently eight Miriuwung Gajerrong people are being trained as rangers to manage those new conservation reserves. This also triggers the start of freeing up a further 16 000 hectares of land for the expansion of the existing agricultural district in the Weaber Plains area that is currently known as the M2 expansion area. This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
This agreement is a significant milestone in the roll-out of the Ord final agreement, which was struck in 2005. Again, I acknowledge the previous government and the current Leader of the Opposition for the work that he did in negotiating the agreement, although it was a pity that work failed to keep pace on allowing this project to be rolled out. There is now a real commitment to the expansion of the Ord. Last Thursday’s announcement triggers that process and starts to deliver excellent benefits to not only the expansion of the Ord agricultural district, but also the Miriuwung Gajerrong people. I think the house agrees.
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