❓ A parliamentary question regarding Main Roads' appeal against the EPA's rejection of a highway on-ramp due to environmental concerns, focusing on wetlands and vegetation. The Minister acknowledges the environmental value but highlights potential offsetting measures.
AnsweredQoN 226Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In November last year the Environmental Protection Authority recommended against the proposal by Main Roads WA to build an on-ramp connecting Tonkin Highway with Abernethy Road in Kewdale because of the impact on important wetlands and on regionally significant vegetation. (1) Is the minister aware of the environmental value of the wetlands, that they are listed on the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate and that the vegetation is contained within a Bush Forever site? (2) Why has Main Roads submitted an appeal against the EPA’s recommendation to the Minister for the Environment? (3) Does the minister support an appeal by her department against this recommendation of the EPA, in spite of the EPA saying that the proposal is environmentally unacceptable and should not proceed? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
(1) Is the minister aware of the environmental value of the wetlands, that they are listed on the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate and that the vegetation is contained within a Bush Forever site? (2) Why has Main Roads submitted an appeal against the EPA’s recommendation to the Minister for the Environment? (3) Does the minister support an appeal by her department against this recommendation of the EPA, in spite of the EPA saying that the proposal is environmentally unacceptable and should not proceed? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
(2) Why has Main Roads submitted an appeal against the EPA’s recommendation to the Minister for the Environment? (3) Does the minister support an appeal by her department against this recommendation of the EPA, in spite of the EPA saying that the proposal is environmentally unacceptable and should not proceed? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
(3) Does the minister support an appeal by her department against this recommendation of the EPA, in spite of the EPA saying that the proposal is environmentally unacceptable and should not proceed? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
(1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
(1) Is the minister aware of the environmental value of the wetlands, that they are listed on the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate and that the vegetation is contained within a Bush Forever site? (2) Why has Main Roads submitted an appeal against the EPA’s recommendation to the Minister for the Environment? (3) Does the minister support an appeal by her department against this recommendation of the EPA, in spite of the EPA saying that the proposal is environmentally unacceptable and should not proceed? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
(2) Why has Main Roads submitted an appeal against the EPA’s recommendation to the Minister for the Environment? (3) Does the minister support an appeal by her department against this recommendation of the EPA, in spite of the EPA saying that the proposal is environmentally unacceptable and should not proceed? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
(3) Does the minister support an appeal by her department against this recommendation of the EPA, in spite of the EPA saying that the proposal is environmentally unacceptable and should not proceed? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
Did the member give notice of that question? Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
Mr B.K. Masters: Yes, I did. The notice was faxed through on 15 April. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: However, he did not give notice that he would ask the question today. This is a question on notice. Therefore, I was supposed to bring into the House all the questions on notice. That is pretty extraordinary. However, as always, I will endeavour to answer the question. (1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
(1)-(3) Main Roads has concerns that the EPA, in making its assessment, did not take certain factors into account. It did not take into account factors such as the value of land that was being set aside in lieu. I do not have all of that detail with me at the moment. However, roughly, that was the basis of the appeal that was lodged. There is no dispute that this is land of environmental value. However, there are a variety of ways in which an environmental issue can be resolved. In some instances it is setting aside other land of equal or greater value that was not previously proposed to be reserved. As I recall, when I last looked into this matter Main Roads believed that there had been an undervaluing of the alternative land that Main Roads had indicated it was prepared to reserve.
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