❓ Hon Adele Farina inquires about the existence and nature of protection zones for shipwrecks on specific lots in Bunbury. The Minister responds that while a formal zone wasn't created, the shipwrecks are now protected under the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973.
AnsweredQoN 4171Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Has a 'maritime archaeological protection buffer zone' to protect the shipwrecks on lots 881, 882 and 883 Koombana Drive, Bunbury been created in the City of Bunbury Town Planning Scheme? (2) If yes to (1): (a) when was it created; (b) what is the scheme amendment number creating the buffer zone; and (c) what protection is provided by the buffer zone? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Has a 'Western Australia Museum Development Exclusion Zone' to protect the shipwrecks on lots 881, 882 and 883 been created in the City of Bunbury Town Planning Scheme? (5) If yes to (4): (a) when was it created; (b) what is the scheme amendment number creating the exclusion zone; and (c) what protection is provided by the exclusion zone? (6) If no to (4), why not? (7) What is the difference in the protections offered by the buffer zone and the exclusion zone? (8) Has the area of Western Australia Museum Development Exclusion Zone been listed on the City of Bunbury Heritage List? (9) If no to (8), why not? (10) Has the maritime archaeological protection buffer zone been listed on the City of Bunbury Heritage List? (11) If no to (10), why not? (12) Have all anomalies identified from survey works on lots 881, 882 and 883 been included in either the exclusion zone or the buffer zone? (13) If no to (12): (a) why not; (b) which anomalies have not been included; (c) will the Minister provide a map showing the anomalies not included in the exclusion zone or the buffer zone; and (d) if no to (c), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 August 2016
Responded by
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts
Response time
63 days
(1) No.
(2) (a-c) Not applicable.
(3) Under the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 the WA Museum can protect pre-1900 shipwrecks, relics, and related maritime archaeological sites. Prior to detailed investigation undertaken recently by the Western Australian Museum and the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the City of Bunbury and the WA Museum agreed that due to the inability to confirm these sites as being pre-1900 they could instead be protected at the local planning level. To that end, it was understood by the WA Museum that the City would establish a ‘Maritime Archaeological Development Exclusion Zone’ or ‘buffer zone’ surrounding known and potential sites . The City at that time provided the Museum with a plan that outlined this zone, which covered parts of Lots 881, 882 and 883; described as the ‘WA Museum Development Exclusion Zone’.
It has recently been established that such a zone was not formally created, however, further work in 2015 and 2016 has established the exact location of three shipwrecks, all identified as dating from pre-1900. Accordingly, it is now the professional expert opinion of the WA Museum that a broad-based buffer zone is not required as the identified material is automatically and sufficiently protected under the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 .
Furthermore I am advised that Lots 881, 882, and 883 are listed in the City’s Municipal Inventory and Heritage Lists. The City of Bunbury, Department of Parks and Wildlife, and the WA Museum continue to work collaboratively and cooperatively to preserve, interpret, and protect archaeological materials on these sites, consistent with international best practice.
(4) See answer to (3)
(5) (a-c) Not applicable.
(6) See answer to (3)
(7) Not applicable.
(8-11) See answer to (3)
(12-13) Not applicable.
(2) (a-c) Not applicable.
(3) Under the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 the WA Museum can protect pre-1900 shipwrecks, relics, and related maritime archaeological sites. Prior to detailed investigation undertaken recently by the Western Australian Museum and the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the City of Bunbury and the WA Museum agreed that due to the inability to confirm these sites as being pre-1900 they could instead be protected at the local planning level. To that end, it was understood by the WA Museum that the City would establish a ‘Maritime Archaeological Development Exclusion Zone’ or ‘buffer zone’ surrounding known and potential sites . The City at that time provided the Museum with a plan that outlined this zone, which covered parts of Lots 881, 882 and 883; described as the ‘WA Museum Development Exclusion Zone’.
It has recently been established that such a zone was not formally created, however, further work in 2015 and 2016 has established the exact location of three shipwrecks, all identified as dating from pre-1900. Accordingly, it is now the professional expert opinion of the WA Museum that a broad-based buffer zone is not required as the identified material is automatically and sufficiently protected under the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 .
Furthermore I am advised that Lots 881, 882, and 883 are listed in the City’s Municipal Inventory and Heritage Lists. The City of Bunbury, Department of Parks and Wildlife, and the WA Museum continue to work collaboratively and cooperatively to preserve, interpret, and protect archaeological materials on these sites, consistent with international best practice.
(4) See answer to (3)
(5) (a-c) Not applicable.
(6) See answer to (3)
(7) Not applicable.
(8-11) See answer to (3)
(12-13) Not applicable.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.