❓ Question regarding the Department of Planning and Infrastructure's commitment to restoring and vesting the Baigup Wetland Reserve, including funding details. The answer confirms commitment to restoration and vesting, details past funding, and highlights acid sulphate soil issues.
AnsweredQoN 4629Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Baigup Wetland Reserve (Bush Forever Site 313) one of the last remaining wetlands along the Swan River in the City of Bayswater, and I ask -
(1) Did the Department of Planning and Infrastructure originally intend to restore this site to high environmental condition?
(2) If yes to (1), is this still the case?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Did the Department of Planning and Infrastructure originally intend to vest this site in the City of Bayswater?
(5) If yes to (4), is this still the case?
(6) If no to (4), why not?
(7) Does the Department still consider restoring this wetland a priority?
(8) Has the Department provided any funds towards this wetland for maintenance?
(9) If yes to (8), please specify how much funding has been provided and to whom for this activity for each year since 1995.
(10) Has the Department provided any funds towards this wetland for restoration?
(11) If yes to (10), please specify how much funding has been provided and to whom for this activity for each year since 1995.
(12) Does the Department have funding budgeted for Baigup Wetlands for maintenance?
(13) If yes to (12), how much for the current and future financial years of 2012-13 and 2013-14?
(14) Does the Department have funding budgeted for Baigup Wetlands for restoration?
(15) If yes to (14), how much for the current and future financial years of 2012-13 and 2013-14?
(16) Is the Minister committed to restoring this unique wetland?
(1) Did the Department of Planning and Infrastructure originally intend to restore this site to high environmental condition?
(2) If yes to (1), is this still the case?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Did the Department of Planning and Infrastructure originally intend to vest this site in the City of Bayswater?
(5) If yes to (4), is this still the case?
(6) If no to (4), why not?
(7) Does the Department still consider restoring this wetland a priority?
(8) Has the Department provided any funds towards this wetland for maintenance?
(9) If yes to (8), please specify how much funding has been provided and to whom for this activity for each year since 1995.
(10) Has the Department provided any funds towards this wetland for restoration?
(11) If yes to (10), please specify how much funding has been provided and to whom for this activity for each year since 1995.
(12) Does the Department have funding budgeted for Baigup Wetlands for maintenance?
(13) If yes to (12), how much for the current and future financial years of 2012-13 and 2013-14?
(14) Does the Department have funding budgeted for Baigup Wetlands for restoration?
(15) If yes to (14), how much for the current and future financial years of 2012-13 and 2013-14?
(16) Is the Minister committed to restoring this unique wetland?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 November 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Planning
Response time
42 days
(1) (2) & (3) The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) intends that the Baigup Wetlands be restored in accordance with the Baigup Wetland Reserve Management Plan prepared by Regeneration Technology Pty Ltd (June 1994) on behalf of the cities of Stirling and Bayswater, the WAPC and the Environmental Protection Authority.
(4) Yes.
(5) Yes, upon the expiry of the current lease established to enable funding for the implementation of the initial management plan.
(6) Not applicable.
(7) Yes, subject to the Baigup Reserve Action Plan outcomes, to ensure the avoidance of further acid sulphate events.
(8) to (16) On 18 June 1996, the WAPC agreed to lease (for peppercorn rent) the lands it owns freehold in the Baigup Wetlands Reserve to the City of Bayswater for management (for 25 years). The WAPC initially provided capital funding of $500,000 over five years via its Area Assistance Grants Scheme to the City of Bayswater as part of the arrangement. In December 2001, the WAPC approved a further $300,000 of which $168,000 was drawn down as the costs of the project had increased. No further funding was to be provided for the project by the WAPC.
While management of the Baigup Wetlands is the responsibility of the City of Bayswater, it is understood all works that disturb the soil profile were halted by the City in February 2004, due to the identification of acid sulphate soils (ASS) during the preparation of an updated management plan.
The ASS conditions at Baigup Wetlands were considered an environmental and health issue, and in 2005 the Swan River Trust coordinated a stakeholder 'management committee' to undertake a gap analysis required for the development of a management strategy for the Baigup Wetlands to enable restoration works to recommence.
Funding of $900,000 was provided by the Minister for the Environment for the Baigup Action Plan in 2006 to undertake the required scientific investigations and remediation strategy.
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(4) Yes.
(5) Yes, upon the expiry of the current lease established to enable funding for the implementation of the initial management plan.
(6) Not applicable.
(7) Yes, subject to the Baigup Reserve Action Plan outcomes, to ensure the avoidance of further acid sulphate events.
(8) to (16) On 18 June 1996, the WAPC agreed to lease (for peppercorn rent) the lands it owns freehold in the Baigup Wetlands Reserve to the City of Bayswater for management (for 25 years). The WAPC initially provided capital funding of $500,000 over five years via its Area Assistance Grants Scheme to the City of Bayswater as part of the arrangement. In December 2001, the WAPC approved a further $300,000 of which $168,000 was drawn down as the costs of the project had increased. No further funding was to be provided for the project by the WAPC.
While management of the Baigup Wetlands is the responsibility of the City of Bayswater, it is understood all works that disturb the soil profile were halted by the City in February 2004, due to the identification of acid sulphate soils (ASS) during the preparation of an updated management plan.
The ASS conditions at Baigup Wetlands were considered an environmental and health issue, and in 2005 the Swan River Trust coordinated a stakeholder 'management committee' to undertake a gap analysis required for the development of a management strategy for the Baigup Wetlands to enable restoration works to recommence.
Funding of $900,000 was provided by the Minister for the Environment for the Baigup Action Plan in 2006 to undertake the required scientific investigations and remediation strategy.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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