❓ A parliamentary question regarding alleged illegal land clearing at Yakka Munga Station, focusing on the Minister's awareness, response time, permit status, and penalties. The Minister clarifies their role and the actions taken by the Department.
AnsweredQoN 699Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
YAKKA MUNGA STATION — LAND CLEARING
699. Hon JIM CHOWN to the Minister for Environment:
(1) On what
date did the minister first become aware that the traditional owners of the
land that encompasses Yakka Munga were concerned that illegal clearing was
taking place?
(2) Why has it
taken the minister so long to issue a stop-work order on the owners and
administrators of Yakka Munga station in regard to the extensive land clearing?
(3) Had any
clearing, environmental or Aboriginal heritage permits been submitted and/or
approved by the relevant departments, prior to the stop-work order being
issued; and, if any, please give details?
(4) What are the prescribed penalties for breaches
pertaining to the clearing of land without an approved permit?
699. Hon JIM CHOWN to the Minister for Environment:
(1) On what
date did the minister first become aware that the traditional owners of the
land that encompasses Yakka Munga were concerned that illegal clearing was
taking place?
(2) Why has it
taken the minister so long to issue a stop-work order on the owners and
administrators of Yakka Munga station in regard to the extensive land clearing?
(3) Had any
clearing, environmental or Aboriginal heritage permits been submitted and/or
approved by the relevant departments, prior to the stop-work order being
issued; and, if any, please give details?
(4) What are the prescribed penalties for breaches
pertaining to the clearing of land without an approved permit?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) It was 6
June 2019.
(2) I do not have
the power to stop work. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, a vegetation
conservation notice requiring work to stop can be given only by the director
general of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. I spoke to the
director general on the evening of Thursday, 6 June 2019 and asked for urgent
action from the department. The department commenced an investigation and
completed a site visit the following week in order to ascertain the
circumstances of the clearing. Following interviews with the pastoral lease
holder, relevant government agencies and stakeholders, the department issued a vegetation
conservation notice on 20 June 2019.
(3) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is not aware of any permits
being issued prior to the vegetation conservation notice being given.
(4) The
Environmental Protection Act 1986 provides for penalties upon conviction for an
offence of unauthorised clearing of up to $500 000 for a body corporate and
$250 000 for an individual.
question.
(1) It was 6
June 2019.
(2) I do not have
the power to stop work. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, a vegetation
conservation notice requiring work to stop can be given only by the director
general of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. I spoke to the
director general on the evening of Thursday, 6 June 2019 and asked for urgent
action from the department. The department commenced an investigation and
completed a site visit the following week in order to ascertain the
circumstances of the clearing. Following interviews with the pastoral lease
holder, relevant government agencies and stakeholders, the department issued a vegetation
conservation notice on 20 June 2019.
(3) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is not aware of any permits
being issued prior to the vegetation conservation notice being given.
(4) The
Environmental Protection Act 1986 provides for penalties upon conviction for an
offence of unauthorised clearing of up to $500 000 for a body corporate and
$250 000 for an individual.
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