❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Minister for Environment's visit to Esperance to announce the South Coast Marine Park, focusing on transparency and community consultation. The answer defends the government's actions and highlights support for the park.
AnsweredQoN 1589Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTH COAST MARINE PARK —
ESPERANCE VISIT
1589. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I note the minister's
recent visit to Esperance on 5 November 2024, Melbourne Cup day, to announce
the new South Coast Marine Park.
(1) Who did the minister meet with
in Esperance as part of that announcement?
(2) Was that announcement made in
public or behind closed doors?
(3) Did the
minister alter his itinerary once he landed in Esperance via government jet to
avoid members of the community?
(4) Does the
minister acknowledge that thousands of people in the region remain opposed to
the marine park?
ESPERANCE VISIT
1589. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I note the minister's
recent visit to Esperance on 5 November 2024, Melbourne Cup day, to announce
the new South Coast Marine Park.
(1) Who did the minister meet with
in Esperance as part of that announcement?
(2) Was that announcement made in
public or behind closed doors?
(3) Did the
minister alter his itinerary once he landed in Esperance via government jet to
avoid members of the community?
(4) Does the
minister acknowledge that thousands of people in the region remain opposed to
the marine park?
AnswerView source ↗
I acknowledge the member for
providing some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for
Environment, I provide the following answer.
(1)–(4) The
Cook Labor government is proud of the South Coast Marine Park and the positive
legacy it will provide for the people of Western Australia. The minister's
recent visit to Esperance was positive and productive. Along with senior public
servants, the minister met with a range of stakeholders, including the Shire of
Esperance, local businesses and traditional owners. A media conference, which
included regional and statewide media, was also convened. All planned
engagements were undertaken. The visit follows two previous trips to Esperance
by the minister over the past two years where he met with the Marine Park Community
Reference Committee and local commercial fishers. The state government received
a record 22 000 submissions during the public comment period. An overwhelming
majority of respondents supported the creation of the marine park, with those
comments helping improve the marine park's draft management plan.
providing some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for
Environment, I provide the following answer.
(1)–(4) The
Cook Labor government is proud of the South Coast Marine Park and the positive
legacy it will provide for the people of Western Australia. The minister's
recent visit to Esperance was positive and productive. Along with senior public
servants, the minister met with a range of stakeholders, including the Shire of
Esperance, local businesses and traditional owners. A media conference, which
included regional and statewide media, was also convened. All planned
engagements were undertaken. The visit follows two previous trips to Esperance
by the minister over the past two years where he met with the Marine Park Community
Reference Committee and local commercial fishers. The state government received
a record 22 000 submissions during the public comment period. An overwhelming
majority of respondents supported the creation of the marine park, with those
comments helping improve the marine park's draft management plan.
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