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❓ Question regarding the implementation and progress of joint management arrangements under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, with a focus on agreements with Aboriginal corporations. The answer details existing agreements, proposed agreements, and departmental processes.

AnsweredQoN 1117Legislative Council

Asked

6 May 2014

Member

Hon Robin Chapple

Portfolio

Environment

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the 2012 amendments to the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (CALM Act) to provide for the joint management of lands and waters involving the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW), formerly the Department of Environment and Conservation, and other parties, and I ask: (a) when did the new provisions come into effect; (b) how many joint management arrangements or agreements have been finalised and formally entered into by DPAW since then, and to which places do they apply: (i) if none, why is this the case; (c) how many joint management arrangements or agreements have been proposed or requested since then but not finalised, and to which places do they apply: (i) for each proposal or place in answer to (c), at what stage of negotiation are these proposals or requests; (d) has DPAW proactively sought or initiated any such arrangements or agreements with any interested parties since the amendments came into effect: (i) if yes to (d), with whom and for which places; (e) does DPAW have a budget to either initiate or respond to requests for such joint management agreements or arrangements: (i) if yes to (e), what is the annual budget and how much has been used this financial year to date; (f) are there any published or internal criteria governing the assessment of proposals for joint management received from interested parties: (i) if yes to (f), will the Minister table them; and (ii) if no to (f), why not; (g) are there any cases where proposals will automatically be refused by DPAW; (h) who in DPAW is responsible for initiating or negotiating joint management agreements or arrangements; and (i) how does the Minister propose to increase the use of the joint management provisions of the CALM Act, given statements made at the time as to the significance of the amendments?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

17 June 2014

Responded by

Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment

Response time

42 days

(a) 14 March 2012.
(b) Three. These include:
·
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation in Murujuga National Park;
·
Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation in the Dambimangari part of the subdtidal component of the Lalang-garam / Camden Sound Marine Park; and
·
Nyangumarta native title holders in the Nyangumarta parts of the Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park and the Walyarta and Kujungurru Warrarn conservation reserves.
(c) 15
(i) The Department of Parks and Wildlife has put forward joint management proposals and is engaged in negotiations with:
·
six principal Noongar native title groups: Yued, Gnaala Karla Boodja, South West Boojarah, Wagyl Kaip, Ballardong and Whadjuk for six joint management agreements which apply to approximately 2,856,000 hectares of conservation estate including 66 national parks and over 286 nature and other conservation reserves. This proposal is part of the State's South West Native Title Settlement final offer presented on 5 July 2013, and is currently being considered by the Noongar native title claim groups;
·
the Ngarla native title holders for the joint management of parts of Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park within their determination area;
·
the Karajarri native title holders for the joint management of parts of Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park within their determination area;
·
the Karajarri and Nyangumarta native title holders for the joint management of areas of Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park where they share native title rights and interests;
·
the Gooniyandi native title holders for the joint management of Mimbi Caves Conservation Park;
·
the Balanggarra native title holders for the joint management of the proposed North Kimberley Marine Park and proposed conservation estate over various Kimberley Islands within their determination area;
·
the Dambimangari native title holders for the joint management of the intertidal portion of the Lalang-garam / Camden Sound Marine Park, the proposed Horizontal Falls national park and marine park, the proposed Kimberley National Park and various Kimberley Islands within their determination area;
·
the Wunambal Gaambera (Uunguu) native title holders for the joint management of Mitchell River National Park and the proposed Kimberley National Park within their determination area;
·
the Wilinggin native title holders for the joint management of Mitchell River National Park, Prince Regent National Park and the proposed Kimberley National Park within their determination area; and
·
the Bunuba native title holders for the joint management of Windjana and Geikie Gorge national parks.
(d) Yes
(i) See answers (b) and (c).
(e) Initiating and responding to requests for joint management is part of the department's core business; accordingly it is not possible to disaggregate specific amounts, nor is there a discrete budget allocated.
(f) Yes
(i) No. The department's joint management policy is publicly available on the department's website.
(ii) Not applicable
(g) No. Each proposal is considered on its merits.
(h) Appropriate regional and head office staff.
(i) The department and the State Government will continue to progress the proposed joint management agreements. See answer (c).

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