❓ WA Government is exploring options for Indigenous ownership/joint management of conservation lands via public consultation, ensuring alignment with conservation laws and public access. Policy development is ongoing with no fixed timeline.
AnsweredQoN 1534Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What is the government policy on transferring ownership to indigenous persons of some conservation reserves in Western Australia? (2) What is the status of this issue? (3) Does this policy have the potential to conflict with the 2002 Ward decision; and, if not, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
(2) What is the status of this issue? (3) Does this policy have the potential to conflict with the 2002 Ward decision; and, if not, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
(3) Does this policy have the potential to conflict with the 2002 Ward decision; and, if not, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
(1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
(3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
(2) What is the status of this issue? (3) Does this policy have the potential to conflict with the 2002 Ward decision; and, if not, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
(3) Does this policy have the potential to conflict with the 2002 Ward decision; and, if not, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response - (1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
(1) The government policy options for indigenous ownership and joint management of conservation lands in Western Australia are the subject of a public consultation paper, which was released for comment in July 2003. The consultation paper outlines some alternative ownership, vesting and management arrangements that are consistent with the World Conservation Union - IUCN - guidelines for the involvement of indigenous peoples in protected area management. Terrestrial conservation reserves are currently solely vested in the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management according to the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. The options for vesting or ownership would be conditional upon the land being managed under the provisions of the CALM Act; that is, management would be undertaken by or through CALM, and the Minister for the Environment would retain all extant powers with regard to direction of CALM. Under such an option, the rights and interests of the general public in relation to access and use of conservation lands would be secured while accommodating the aspirations of Aboriginal traditional owners to be recognised and meaningfully involved in conservation and land management. (2) The closing date for submissions on the public consultation paper “Indigenous Ownership and Joint Management of Conservation Lands in Western Australia” has been extended until 12 December 2003. Following an analysis of public submissions, the Government will consider its policy options and consult further with the various community groups and organisations that have an interest in this matter. However, neither the Government nor CALM has any preconceived policy outcome in terms of a preferred model other than the genuine desire to see Aboriginal people play a much greater role in conservation and land management, with the resultant employment and social benefits. There is no timetable within which this matter must be finalised. (3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
(3) No. A policy position has not been finalised.
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