❓ A Liberal Party member questions the government's draft wilderness policy, raising concerns about minimum size, emergency access, infrastructure removal, and fire management. The Minister responds by highlighting the public consultation process and ongoing development of management plans.
AnsweredQoN 1265Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Today I released the Liberal Party’s position statement on wilderness in Western Australia. I refer the minister to the Government’s draft policy statement on identification and management of wilderness and surrounding areas. (1) Why is Western Australia adopting a minimum size for wilderness that is significantly lower than the standard elsewhere in the world? (2) Given that, in emergencies, mechanised vehicles can be used to access wilderness areas only with the prior approval of the Department of Conservation and Land Management chief executive officer, does the minister concede that responses to potentially life-threatening emergencies will be significantly delayed? (3) Given that walking tracks, signs, track markers and toilets will not be permitted in wilderness areas, does the minister consider it acceptable that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of existing infrastructure may be removed and wasted and will prevent many people, particularly those with limited mobility, from accessing wilderness areas? (4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(1) Why is Western Australia adopting a minimum size for wilderness that is significantly lower than the standard elsewhere in the world? (2) Given that, in emergencies, mechanised vehicles can be used to access wilderness areas only with the prior approval of the Department of Conservation and Land Management chief executive officer, does the minister concede that responses to potentially life-threatening emergencies will be significantly delayed? (3) Given that walking tracks, signs, track markers and toilets will not be permitted in wilderness areas, does the minister consider it acceptable that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of existing infrastructure may be removed and wasted and will prevent many people, particularly those with limited mobility, from accessing wilderness areas? (4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(2) Given that, in emergencies, mechanised vehicles can be used to access wilderness areas only with the prior approval of the Department of Conservation and Land Management chief executive officer, does the minister concede that responses to potentially life-threatening emergencies will be significantly delayed? (3) Given that walking tracks, signs, track markers and toilets will not be permitted in wilderness areas, does the minister consider it acceptable that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of existing infrastructure may be removed and wasted and will prevent many people, particularly those with limited mobility, from accessing wilderness areas? (4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(3) Given that walking tracks, signs, track markers and toilets will not be permitted in wilderness areas, does the minister consider it acceptable that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of existing infrastructure may be removed and wasted and will prevent many people, particularly those with limited mobility, from accessing wilderness areas? (4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(1) Why is Western Australia adopting a minimum size for wilderness that is significantly lower than the standard elsewhere in the world? (2) Given that, in emergencies, mechanised vehicles can be used to access wilderness areas only with the prior approval of the Department of Conservation and Land Management chief executive officer, does the minister concede that responses to potentially life-threatening emergencies will be significantly delayed? (3) Given that walking tracks, signs, track markers and toilets will not be permitted in wilderness areas, does the minister consider it acceptable that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of existing infrastructure may be removed and wasted and will prevent many people, particularly those with limited mobility, from accessing wilderness areas? (4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(2) Given that, in emergencies, mechanised vehicles can be used to access wilderness areas only with the prior approval of the Department of Conservation and Land Management chief executive officer, does the minister concede that responses to potentially life-threatening emergencies will be significantly delayed? (3) Given that walking tracks, signs, track markers and toilets will not be permitted in wilderness areas, does the minister consider it acceptable that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of existing infrastructure may be removed and wasted and will prevent many people, particularly those with limited mobility, from accessing wilderness areas? (4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(3) Given that walking tracks, signs, track markers and toilets will not be permitted in wilderness areas, does the minister consider it acceptable that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of existing infrastructure may be removed and wasted and will prevent many people, particularly those with limited mobility, from accessing wilderness areas? (4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(4) With fire management activities being conducted primarily outside the wilderness area, is the minister comfortable with the prospect of the entire wilderness area of at least 80 square kilometres being burnt in one wildfire? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
(1)-(4) In June this year the Government released a draft wilderness policy and put it out for public consultation. We have received a lot of input as a result of releasing that draft policy. At the moment CALM is collating those submissions and will give final advice to government. We are also working with the broader community around the Walpole wilderness area to make sure that we develop a management plan for the area that will acknowledge the issues and stresses pointed out by the member. For example, we are very clear that fire must be managed very carefully. It goes without saying that there are not a lot of people around a wilderness area, otherwise it would not be wilderness. The first priority is to make sure there is fire protection for anyone who lives in the area or for private property there. We also acknowledge in the proposed management plan that there will be ongoing fires in wilderness areas because, apart from issues of safety and access, they need fire at times for biodiversity and environmental values. Mr Speaker, I am amused by the member’s question. The policy issued today by the Opposition questions the Government’s definition of wilderness. The Opposition made an amazing comment that wilderness is often associated with restrictive land use. As Homer Simpson would say, “Duh!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Mr Speaker, there are national definitions of wilderness. The Government has adopted the Australian Heritage Commission’s definition of wilderness in its policy. There are no designated wilderness areas in the State. Indeed, the Regional Forest Agreement showed as one of its weaknesses that the south west area of the State does not have a designated wilderness area. Wilderness areas are obviously defined by their size, depending on their location. The Australian Heritage Commission’s guidelines refer to them as roughly 8 000 hectares in temperate zones going up to more than 20 000 hectares in drier areas. There is therefore a real potential to properly designate the Walpole area as wilderness. The Government has issued a draft policy and invites comments from local people in Walpole so that it can incorporate the appropriate provisions in the management plan. All wilderness areas will have a management plan that will take into account the issues raised by the member.
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