❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Environment regarding unauthorised clearing of a threatened ecological community (sedgelands) by the Shire of Gingin. The Minister confirms an investigation is underway.
AnsweredQoN 616Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SHIRE OF GINGIN — CLEARING APPROVAL —
LANCELIN SEDGELANDS
616. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the clearing within a threatened
ecological community, sedgelands in Holocene dune swales, at Lancelin by the
Shire of Gingin on 19 and 20 January 2016.
(1) Was a clearing
approval sought to clear the threatened ecological community under part V of
the Environmental Protection Act 1986?
(2) Was the
clearing approval obtained to clear the threatened ecological community under
part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986?
(3) If the clearing was not
authorised, has it been investigated?
(4) If yes to (3), how much of the
threatened ecological community has been lost or compromised?
(5) If yes to (3), will the Shire of
Gingin be prosecuted for unauthorised clearing?
LANCELIN SEDGELANDS
616. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the clearing within a threatened
ecological community, sedgelands in Holocene dune swales, at Lancelin by the
Shire of Gingin on 19 and 20 January 2016.
(1) Was a clearing
approval sought to clear the threatened ecological community under part V of
the Environmental Protection Act 1986?
(2) Was the
clearing approval obtained to clear the threatened ecological community under
part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986?
(3) If the clearing was not
authorised, has it been investigated?
(4) If yes to (3), how much of the
threatened ecological community has been lost or compromised?
(5) If yes to (3), will the Shire of
Gingin be prosecuted for unauthorised clearing?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
The Minister for Environment has
provided me with the following response —
(1)–(2) Clearing of native vegetation for the purpose of
firebreaks was undertaken in accordance with a 2015– 16 firebreak
notice. This clearing was exempt from the requirement of a permit under
schedule 6 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Clearing of native
vegetation that occurred adjacent to the firebreaks, which included threatened
ecological communities of sedgeland, was not exempt. A clearing permit had not
been obtained for this clearing.
(3) The
Department of Environment Regulation is investigating the clearing that was not
exempt under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
(4) Department of
Parks and Wildlife advice outlined that four out of the five occurrences at the
sedgeland‑threatened ecological communities at this location have been
impacted by the clearing and associated activities.
(5) The Department of Environment
Regulation has not finalised the investigation into this matter.
some notice of the question.
The Minister for Environment has
provided me with the following response —
(1)–(2) Clearing of native vegetation for the purpose of
firebreaks was undertaken in accordance with a 2015– 16 firebreak
notice. This clearing was exempt from the requirement of a permit under
schedule 6 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Clearing of native
vegetation that occurred adjacent to the firebreaks, which included threatened
ecological communities of sedgeland, was not exempt. A clearing permit had not
been obtained for this clearing.
(3) The
Department of Environment Regulation is investigating the clearing that was not
exempt under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
(4) Department of
Parks and Wildlife advice outlined that four out of the five occurrences at the
sedgeland‑threatened ecological communities at this location have been
impacted by the clearing and associated activities.
(5) The Department of Environment
Regulation has not finalised the investigation into this matter.
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