❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses rangeland condition on pastoral leases in the Kimberley, inquiring about responsibilities, management practices, and enforcement actions related to ecologically sustainable land management. The response details monitoring processes, identifies stations with rangeland condition concerns, and provides information on stock reduction notices.
AnsweredQoN 136Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Rangeland condition on pastoral leases in the Kimberley, and ask:
(a) are the Minister for Lands and/or Pastoral Lands Board (PLB) responsible for ensuring that pastoral land is managed in an ecologically sustainable manner;
(b) how does the Minister and PLB ensure that pastoral land is managed in an ecologically sustainable manner;
(c) is it compulsory for pastoral leases to be managed in an ecologically sustainable manner;
(d) if no to (c), why not;
(e) during the past five years, how many pastoral leases in the Kimberley have been identified as having a "rangeland condition issue" as described on the Department of Lands, Planning and Heritage website, located at
http://www.lands.wa.gov.au/Leases/Rangeland-Condition/Pages/default.aspx
];
(f) will the Minister detail what these "rangeland condition issues" have been and on which leases they have occurred;
(g) if no to (f), why not;
(h) how many leases in the Kimberley have been issued with notices to reduce stock numbers in the past five years;
(i) will the Minister table the details of the notices to reduce stock numbers, including the name of the pastoral lease, issued in the last five years; and
(j) if no to (i), why not?
(a) are the Minister for Lands and/or Pastoral Lands Board (PLB) responsible for ensuring that pastoral land is managed in an ecologically sustainable manner;
(b) how does the Minister and PLB ensure that pastoral land is managed in an ecologically sustainable manner;
(c) is it compulsory for pastoral leases to be managed in an ecologically sustainable manner;
(d) if no to (c), why not;
(e) during the past five years, how many pastoral leases in the Kimberley have been identified as having a "rangeland condition issue" as described on the Department of Lands, Planning and Heritage website, located at
http://www.lands.wa.gov.au/Leases/Rangeland-Condition/Pages/default.aspx
];
(f) will the Minister detail what these "rangeland condition issues" have been and on which leases they have occurred;
(g) if no to (f), why not;
(h) how many leases in the Kimberley have been issued with notices to reduce stock numbers in the past five years;
(i) will the Minister table the details of the notices to reduce stock numbers, including the name of the pastoral lease, issued in the last five years; and
(j) if no to (i), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 September 2017
Responded by
Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Lands
Response time
9 days
(b) The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) identify pastoral stations at risk of declining rangeland condition, based on reported stocking rates, seasonal quality, changes in vegetation cover obtained from satellite monitoring, period of time since the previous inspection and relevant anecdotal evidence. At-risk stations are then prioritised for on-ground inspection based on a Desktop Audit, with the subsequent reports submitted to the Pastoral Lands Board (PLB). Any identified breaches are dealt with in accordance with the PLB Compliance Policy. (c) No (d) Pastoral leases are granted for pastoral purposes, being the commercial grazing of livestock. Section 108(2) of the LAA provides that pastoral lessees must use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice, appropriate to the area where the land is situated, for the management of stock and for the management, conservation and regeneration of pasture for grazing. In addition, section 108(4) of the LAA provides that lessees must maintain the indigenous pasture and other vegetation on the land under the lease to the satisfaction of the PLB. (e) Since 1 July 2012, Rangeland Condition Reports for 17 pastoral stations in the Kimberley identified concerns about rangeland condition. (f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(c) No (d) Pastoral leases are granted for pastoral purposes, being the commercial grazing of livestock. Section 108(2) of the LAA provides that pastoral lessees must use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice, appropriate to the area where the land is situated, for the management of stock and for the management, conservation and regeneration of pasture for grazing. In addition, section 108(4) of the LAA provides that lessees must maintain the indigenous pasture and other vegetation on the land under the lease to the satisfaction of the PLB. (e) Since 1 July 2012, Rangeland Condition Reports for 17 pastoral stations in the Kimberley identified concerns about rangeland condition. (f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(d) Pastoral leases are granted for pastoral purposes, being the commercial grazing of livestock. Section 108(2) of the LAA provides that pastoral lessees must use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice, appropriate to the area where the land is situated, for the management of stock and for the management, conservation and regeneration of pasture for grazing. In addition, section 108(4) of the LAA provides that lessees must maintain the indigenous pasture and other vegetation on the land under the lease to the satisfaction of the PLB. (e) Since 1 July 2012, Rangeland Condition Reports for 17 pastoral stations in the Kimberley identified concerns about rangeland condition. (f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(e) Since 1 July 2012, Rangeland Condition Reports for 17 pastoral stations in the Kimberley identified concerns about rangeland condition. (f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(j) N/A
(c) No (d) Pastoral leases are granted for pastoral purposes, being the commercial grazing of livestock. Section 108(2) of the LAA provides that pastoral lessees must use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice, appropriate to the area where the land is situated, for the management of stock and for the management, conservation and regeneration of pasture for grazing. In addition, section 108(4) of the LAA provides that lessees must maintain the indigenous pasture and other vegetation on the land under the lease to the satisfaction of the PLB. (e) Since 1 July 2012, Rangeland Condition Reports for 17 pastoral stations in the Kimberley identified concerns about rangeland condition. (f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(d) Pastoral leases are granted for pastoral purposes, being the commercial grazing of livestock. Section 108(2) of the LAA provides that pastoral lessees must use methods of best pastoral and environmental management practice, appropriate to the area where the land is situated, for the management of stock and for the management, conservation and regeneration of pasture for grazing. In addition, section 108(4) of the LAA provides that lessees must maintain the indigenous pasture and other vegetation on the land under the lease to the satisfaction of the PLB. (e) Since 1 July 2012, Rangeland Condition Reports for 17 pastoral stations in the Kimberley identified concerns about rangeland condition. (f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(e) Since 1 July 2012, Rangeland Condition Reports for 17 pastoral stations in the Kimberley identified concerns about rangeland condition. (f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(f) In all cases, the issue related to declining rangeland condition on parts or all of the pastoral station. Alice Downs, Bedford Downs, Billiluna, Bulka, Christmas Creek, Koongie Park, Lake Gregory, Lansdowne, Lissadell, Moola Bulla, Mt Amhurst, Mt House, Nerrima, Rosewood, Springvale, Texas Downs/Mabel Downs, and Yeeda Stations. (g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(g) N/A (h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(h) 2 (i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(i) Yes. On 18 December 2014 the PLB directed the lessee of Moola Bulla and Mt Amhurst Stations to maintain livestock numbers below 27,000 units. (j) N/A
(j) N/A
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.