❓ A WA parliamentary question explores the possibility of formally recognizing conservation as a primary land use on pastoral leases, questioning the current emphasis on pastoralism and ecologically sustainable management. The answer clarifies that while not primary, conservation is a requirement and the government is actively acquiring pastoral leases for conservation purposes.
AnsweredQoN 1582Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the statement "no (pastoral) lease conditions recognise conservation as a primary land use in the way that pastoral leases recognise pastoralism" as contained in the Productivity Commission report entitled
Constraints on Private Conservation of Biodiversity
accurate?
(2) If "yes" to (1), what justification can be given to not recognise conservation as a primary land use on pastoral leases?
(3) Is consideration being given to recognising conservation as a primary land use on pastoral leases?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) If "yes" to (3), what changes are being considered and what timing is envisaged before these changes are made to the relevant government policies or Acts?
Constraints on Private Conservation of Biodiversity
accurate?
(2) If "yes" to (1), what justification can be given to not recognise conservation as a primary land use on pastoral leases?
(3) Is consideration being given to recognising conservation as a primary land use on pastoral leases?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) If "yes" to (3), what changes are being considered and what timing is envisaged before these changes are made to the relevant government policies or Acts?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2002
Responded by
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
56 days
(2) Although the primary land use of a pastoral lease is the commercial grazing of stock, Section 108 of the Land Administration Act 1997 (LAA) requires that: 'A (pastoral) lessee must use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice, appropriate to the area where the land is situated, for the management of stock and for the management, conservation and regeneration of pasture for grazing.' Pastoral lessees are also required to manage pastoral leases on an ecologically sustainable basis. (3) As indicated above, while not a 'primary land use', pastoral leases are required to be run on an ecologically sustainable basis. Further, the Department of Conservation and Land Management has purchased 15 pastoral leases and parts of a further 15 to contribute towards establishing a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) conservation reserve system in the rangelands. As a result of amendments to the LAA in 2000, land can be excluded from pastoral leases for a 'public purpose' in 2015. The Department of Conservation and Land Management is actively targeting land in pastoral leases to be excluded for conservation purposes. (4) Although conservation is not the primary land use for pastoral leases, responsible conservation management is already a requirement of the leases. (5) Not Applicable.
(3) As indicated above, while not a 'primary land use', pastoral leases are required to be run on an ecologically sustainable basis. Further, the Department of Conservation and Land Management has purchased 15 pastoral leases and parts of a further 15 to contribute towards establishing a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) conservation reserve system in the rangelands. As a result of amendments to the LAA in 2000, land can be excluded from pastoral leases for a 'public purpose' in 2015. The Department of Conservation and Land Management is actively targeting land in pastoral leases to be excluded for conservation purposes. (4) Although conservation is not the primary land use for pastoral leases, responsible conservation management is already a requirement of the leases. (5) Not Applicable.
(4) Although conservation is not the primary land use for pastoral leases, responsible conservation management is already a requirement of the leases. (5) Not Applicable.
(5) Not Applicable.
(3) As indicated above, while not a 'primary land use', pastoral leases are required to be run on an ecologically sustainable basis. Further, the Department of Conservation and Land Management has purchased 15 pastoral leases and parts of a further 15 to contribute towards establishing a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) conservation reserve system in the rangelands. As a result of amendments to the LAA in 2000, land can be excluded from pastoral leases for a 'public purpose' in 2015. The Department of Conservation and Land Management is actively targeting land in pastoral leases to be excluded for conservation purposes. (4) Although conservation is not the primary land use for pastoral leases, responsible conservation management is already a requirement of the leases. (5) Not Applicable.
(4) Although conservation is not the primary land use for pastoral leases, responsible conservation management is already a requirement of the leases. (5) Not Applicable.
(5) Not Applicable.
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