❓ Question regarding the progress of the Esperance extension of the state barrier fence, including construction progress, contractor payments, and Indigenous land use agreements. The Minister provides updates on each aspect, highlighting ongoing negotiations and adherence to required processes.
AnsweredQoN 603Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
State barrier fence—Esperance extension
603. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Minister for
Agriculture and Food:
Given the previous question, my question without
notice has not changed to a question to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food—it is not a Thursday!
I refer to my
question without notice 1171 of 15 October 2024 on the stalled state barrier
fence Esperance extension.
(1) As at 18 August 2025, what progress has
occurred on the approximate 140-kilometre gap in the Salmon Gums section?
(2) What is the status of payments to the awarded
fencing contractor within the Esperance Noongar native title area?
(3) What is the outcome or progress of the
proposed Indigenous land use agreement with the Ngadju people in relation to native
title?
(4) Does the minister accept or reject the
proposal to explore the feasibility of locating the outstanding Ngadju portion
of the fence on private land to expedite this stalled project?
The President: I am not even going to comment on
whether that meets the standing order requirements. The member should know
better. The Minister for Agriculture and Food.
603. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Minister for
Agriculture and Food:
Given the previous question, my question without
notice has not changed to a question to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food—it is not a Thursday!
I refer to my
question without notice 1171 of 15 October 2024 on the stalled state barrier
fence Esperance extension.
(1) As at 18 August 2025, what progress has
occurred on the approximate 140-kilometre gap in the Salmon Gums section?
(2) What is the status of payments to the awarded
fencing contractor within the Esperance Noongar native title area?
(3) What is the outcome or progress of the
proposed Indigenous land use agreement with the Ngadju people in relation to native
title?
(4) Does the minister accept or reject the
proposal to explore the feasibility of locating the outstanding Ngadju portion
of the fence on private land to expedite this stalled project?
The President: I am not even going to comment on
whether that meets the standing order requirements. The member should know
better. The Minister for Agriculture and Food.
AnswerView source ↗
Thank you,
President. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Construction of the Esperance extension of the
state barrier fence continues. A contract was recently awarded to construct 78
kilometres in section 5. Environmental and heritage approvals for the section
that encompasses Salmon Gums continue to be progressed.
(2) Payments are made by the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to the contracted supplier for
fence contracts following inspection of completed sections. DPIRD has no
outstanding payments to its supplier and is unable to comment on any matters
associated with subcontractors used by the supplier.
(3) Respectful negotiations with the Ngadju Native
Title Aboriginal Corporation regarding a mutually agreed Indigenous land use
agreement (ILUA) for the construction the section north of Salmon Gums are
ongoing.
(4) The state government requires an ILUA to
enable a state barrier fence reserve to be created on unallocated crown land
subject to native title. This is to enable this public asset to be maintained
by the state in the future.
President. I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Construction of the Esperance extension of the
state barrier fence continues. A contract was recently awarded to construct 78
kilometres in section 5. Environmental and heritage approvals for the section
that encompasses Salmon Gums continue to be progressed.
(2) Payments are made by the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to the contracted supplier for
fence contracts following inspection of completed sections. DPIRD has no
outstanding payments to its supplier and is unable to comment on any matters
associated with subcontractors used by the supplier.
(3) Respectful negotiations with the Ngadju Native
Title Aboriginal Corporation regarding a mutually agreed Indigenous land use
agreement (ILUA) for the construction the section north of Salmon Gums are
ongoing.
(4) The state government requires an ILUA to
enable a state barrier fence reserve to be created on unallocated crown land
subject to native title. This is to enable this public asset to be maintained
by the state in the future.
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