❓ WA Government outlines progress on biodiversity conservation targets, including clearing controls and protected area management, following the introduction of new clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
AnsweredQoN 990Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government’s progress in achieving targets under the “National Objectives and Targets for Biodiversity Conservation 2001-2005”. (1) Has the Government set in place mechanisms to prevent clearance of all ecological communities - (a) with an extent below 10 per cent of that present pre-1750; (b) with an extent below 30 per cent of that present pre-1750? (2) If no to (1)(a) and (b), why not? (3) Are clearing controls in place that will have the effect of reducing the national net rate of land clearance to zero? (4) Does the Government measure, by jurisdiction, the total area of native vegetation communities cleared each year? (5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(1) Has the Government set in place mechanisms to prevent clearance of all ecological communities - (a) with an extent below 10 per cent of that present pre-1750; (b) with an extent below 30 per cent of that present pre-1750? (2) If no to (1)(a) and (b), why not? (3) Are clearing controls in place that will have the effect of reducing the national net rate of land clearance to zero? (4) Does the Government measure, by jurisdiction, the total area of native vegetation communities cleared each year? (5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(b) with an extent below 30 per cent of that present pre-1750?
(3) Are clearing controls in place that will have the effect of reducing the national net rate of land clearance to zero? (4) Does the Government measure, by jurisdiction, the total area of native vegetation communities cleared each year? (5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(4) Does the Government measure, by jurisdiction, the total area of native vegetation communities cleared each year? (5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements?
(c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements?
(d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements?
I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(1) Has the Government set in place mechanisms to prevent clearance of all ecological communities - (a) with an extent below 10 per cent of that present pre-1750; (b) with an extent below 30 per cent of that present pre-1750? (2) If no to (1)(a) and (b), why not? (3) Are clearing controls in place that will have the effect of reducing the national net rate of land clearance to zero? (4) Does the Government measure, by jurisdiction, the total area of native vegetation communities cleared each year? (5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(b) with an extent below 30 per cent of that present pre-1750?
(3) Are clearing controls in place that will have the effect of reducing the national net rate of land clearance to zero? (4) Does the Government measure, by jurisdiction, the total area of native vegetation communities cleared each year? (5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(4) Does the Government measure, by jurisdiction, the total area of native vegetation communities cleared each year? (5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(5) Has the Government developed and implemented action plans for - (a) protected areas in the state conservation reserve system; (b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(b) informal protected area networks; (c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements?
(c) indigenous estates; and (d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements?
(d) private land covered by formalised conservation agreements?
I thank the member for some notice of this question. In view of the fact that the response is quite lengthy, I seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard . Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
Leave granted. The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
The following material was incorporated - I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this question. The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response: 1. Clearing provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 were proclaimed on 8 July 2004. These provisions require clearing of native vegetation to be undertaken under a clearing permit, unless exempt. Clearing permit applications must be assessed against a set of principles contained in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . These consider all the environmental values of native vegetation and include biodiversity, land degradation and water quality and quantity. Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
Principle (e) of Schedule 5 states that native vegetation should not be cleared if it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared. The Department of Environment has adopted criteria to limit the clearing of native vegetation where the remaining area of an ecological community represents less than 30% of its pre-European extent, or where the clearing would reduce the representation of remaining ecological community to less than 30%. This also protects areas where the area of an ecological community represents less than 10% of its pre-European extent. 2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
2. The Department’s CEO may issue a clearing permit that is seriously at variance with the clearing principles outlined in Question 1 where there is a good reason for doing so and that reason is published. This allows clearing where there are compelling social or economic reasons for doing so, and ensures accountability where this occurs. 3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
3. The new clearing controls are part of a strategic approach to support the goal of no net loss of native vegetation that includes revegetation and improved management of vegetation at all levels supported by Government, industry and the Western Australian community. The clearing regulations also support revegetation efforts by landcare groups, industry, individuals and Government. Revegetation funded by industry, government or community groups is defined as native vegetation. In addition, landholders can protect their revegetation as native vegetation if desired. 4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
4. The new clearing process will maintain annual statistics of clearing undertaken both legally through clearing permits or as a result of reports of illegal clearing. As part of State of the Environment reporting, Government measures the total area of clearing throughout Western Australia. Land Monitor periodically analyses vegetation in the south west of Western Australia based on aerial photography and satellite 5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
5) (a) Yes. Conservation reserves for which management plans are in place or in preparation are listed in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 2004/04 Annual Report. For example, in respect of the State’s 69 national parks, 17 are covered by specific management plans, a further 34 are covered by regional scale management plans, and specific management plans are in preparation for 13. (b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(b) Informal protected areas is not a category in current use in Western Australia. (c) The State Government, through its agencies, has contributed to the development of management plans for Indigenous Protected Areas in the east Kimberley and Goldfields. These areas are established by the Australian Government which has responsibility for finalising management plans. (d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
(d) The formalised conservation agreements category is applied in Western Australia to lands protected under conservation covenants. Western Australia has two conservation covenant programs, operated by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the National Trust of Australia (WA). Under these programs the covenanting authority and the landholder prepare management plans. Management of covenanted areas must be in accordance with these management plans.
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