❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the Minister for Environment about the unfulfilled commitment to establish the Gnangara Regional Park, highlighting its importance for water resources and biodiversity. The Minister acknowledges past plans but denies a current government commitment to a 'Regional Park' specifically, outlining alternative measures for groundwater and habitat protection.
AnsweredQoN 2000Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of recommendation M81 of the System Six Report (1983) , which recommended the establishment of a regional park covering the Eastern Chain of the Wanneroo Wetlands? (2) Is the Minister aware that the State Government committed to establishing the Gnangara Regional Park in November 1996, and released a draft concept plan for this park in May 1999? (3) Is the Minister aware that the Gnangara Mound is a vital water resource for the Metropolitan Area, and is also a major habitat for the priority-listed Carnaby’s black cockatoo? (4) Why has the Government not honoured this commitment to establish the Gnangara Regional Park? (5) What plans does the Government have to establish a regional park to protect the groundwater and biodiversity of the Gnangara Mound?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 May 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment
Response time
8 days
1) Yes.
2) The draft concept plan released by Government at that time was for a proposed Gnangara Park. Regional Park has a specific meaning in a planning context. The Gnangara Park draft concept plan is a different proposal to the early planning concept for a Lakes of East Wanneroo Regional Park.
3) Yes. In 2022, the State Government introduced new measures to protect our groundwater resources in the context of climate change that will help ensure they remain a long-term sustainable source of water and that they continue to support wetlands and other groundwater-dependant ecosystems. Measures included the release of the 2022 Gnangara groundwater allocation plan to rebalance groundwater use from the Gnangara groundwater system, and changes to the domestic garden bore sprinkler roster. In addition, in 2023, the Government announced that pine harvesting in Gnangara State Forest will come to an end to preserve habitat for the threatened black cockatoo.
4) The Gnangara Park was a commitment by a previous State Government made in the late 1990’s and there has been significant changes since that time associated with groundwater, land planning and management. There is no Government commitment to establish a Gnangara Regional Park.
5) In regard to the planning concept for a Lakes of East Wanneroo Regional Park, wetlands within the Western Australian Planning Commission’s East Wanneroo District Structure Plan area are being considered for inclusion into public open space as part of future structure planning processes. This is in addition to many of the wetlands that are already within Parks and Recreation Reserves.
2) The draft concept plan released by Government at that time was for a proposed Gnangara Park. Regional Park has a specific meaning in a planning context. The Gnangara Park draft concept plan is a different proposal to the early planning concept for a Lakes of East Wanneroo Regional Park.
3) Yes. In 2022, the State Government introduced new measures to protect our groundwater resources in the context of climate change that will help ensure they remain a long-term sustainable source of water and that they continue to support wetlands and other groundwater-dependant ecosystems. Measures included the release of the 2022 Gnangara groundwater allocation plan to rebalance groundwater use from the Gnangara groundwater system, and changes to the domestic garden bore sprinkler roster. In addition, in 2023, the Government announced that pine harvesting in Gnangara State Forest will come to an end to preserve habitat for the threatened black cockatoo.
4) The Gnangara Park was a commitment by a previous State Government made in the late 1990’s and there has been significant changes since that time associated with groundwater, land planning and management. There is no Government commitment to establish a Gnangara Regional Park.
5) In regard to the planning concept for a Lakes of East Wanneroo Regional Park, wetlands within the Western Australian Planning Commission’s East Wanneroo District Structure Plan area are being considered for inclusion into public open space as part of future structure planning processes. This is in addition to many of the wetlands that are already within Parks and Recreation Reserves.
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