❓ This WA parliamentary question concerns the degazettal of Wittenoom town site due to asbestos contamination. The government outlines its strategy for relocating remaining residents through property acquisition and relocation assistance.
AnsweredQoN 532Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WITTENOOM - DEGAZETTAL
(1) Who made the decision to degazette the Wittenoom town site, and why? (2) What are the practical consequences of degazettal? (3) What action does the government plan to take to remove the remaining residents? Hon JON FORD
(1) Who made the decision to degazette the Wittenoom town site, and why? (2) What are the practical consequences of degazettal? (3) What action does the government plan to take to remove the remaining residents? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(2) What are the practical consequences of degazettal? (3) What action does the government plan to take to remove the remaining residents? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(3) What action does the government plan to take to remove the remaining residents? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(2) What are the practical consequences of degazettal? (3) What action does the government plan to take to remove the remaining residents? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(3) What action does the government plan to take to remove the remaining residents? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of this question. (1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(1) The final decision to remove the town site status of Wittenoom was made by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure following consultation with the Shire of Ashburton, the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. The removal of Wittenoom’s town site status is consistent with the government’s decision to close the town as soon as possible. (2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(2) The main practical consequences of the degazettal are that it allows the Shire of Ashburton a basis on which to make decisions relating to Wittenoom, such as the need to permanently close local roads to the main areas of contamination. It also provides a basis for map listings and road signage that directs people to Wittenoom to be removed, which is a means of reducing the number of visitors to the area. (3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
(3) The government is continuing with its strategy to voluntarily acquire property in Wittenoom. The government is offering residents $39 804 for their residences plus a solatium of $3 980, plus relocation assistance of $10 000 plus $398 per adult for travel expenses. The offer for residences in Wittenoom is based on the values of similar residences in inland towns such as Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cue and Mt Magnet. Residents wishing to relocate have priority access to Homeswest housing at a location of their choice and are offered a recoup amount of up to $1 000 for travel expenses to inspect that accommodation. In recognition that the financial capacity of some of the remaining residents to purchase property may be limited, residents have recently been offered access to a shared-equity scheme to assist residents to purchase a property up to the value of $365 000. The shared-equity scheme was recently presented by officers from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and the Department of Housing and Works at a meeting at the Munjina Roadhouse near Wittenoom, at which I am advised all but two of the residents attended. The offer of the shared-equity scheme will remain in place for a further six months.
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